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Fédération Internationale des Mouvements Catholiques d'Action Paroissiale
Fimcap-logo.png
Abbreviation FIMCAP
Formation April 22, 1962; 63 years ago (1962-04-22)
Type INGO
Purpose International umbrella organization of catholic youth organizations
Headquarters Antwerp, Belgium
Membership
33 unions
Presidents
Marie Lavall
Ruben Leeman
Praeses
Fr. Wilson de Jesus Mendes
Secretary-General
Annelies Van Wolvelaer
Website www.fimcap.org

FIMCAP is a big international group that brings together many Catholic youth organizations from different countries. Its full name is Fédération Internationale des Mouvements Catholiques d'Action Paroissiale, which means "International Federation of Catholic Parish Youth Movements" in French.

FIMCAP helps these youth groups work together. It has 33 member organizations in many countries around the world. FIMCAP started in 1962. It is officially recognized as a Catholic organization. FIMCAP is also part of the European Youth Forum.

History of FIMCAP

How FIMCAP Started

Before FIMCAP officially began, youth groups from France, Belgium, and the Netherlands started working together in 1959. They wanted to create a bigger international group. In October 1959, they made a plan in Lucerne, Switzerland.

The first meeting with many delegates happened in 1960 in Munich, Germany. Then, on October 7-8, 1961, eleven youth groups officially created FIMCAP in Munich. The public announcement of FIMCAP's start was made on Easter in 1962.

Official Recognition

In 1976, the Holy See (the main authority of the Catholic Church) officially recognized FIMCAP. This made FIMCAP an "International Catholic Organization." Since 2006, the Belgian government has also recognized FIMCAP as an international non-governmental organization.

What Came Before FIMCAP

Before FIMCAP, there were other international Catholic youth groups. One was set up in 1921 in Rome, called the "International Secretariat of Catholic Youth." This group changed its name a few times. In 1948, it became the "International Office of Catholic Youth." In 1954, it was renamed the "International Federation of Catholic Youth (ICYF)."

Later, in 1968, the ICYF joined with another group to form the "World Federation of Catholic Youth" (WFCY). The WFCY stopped its work in 1981. FIMCAP then took over many of its activities. This made FIMCAP the largest international group for Catholic youth organizations.

What FIMCAP Does

FIMCAP organizes many activities for young people around the world.

  • World Camp: Every three years, FIMCAP holds a big international youth camp called the World Camp. Young people from different countries come together.
  • LINK Magazine: FIMCAP has its own magazine called LINK Magazine. It comes out four times a year.
  • Spiritual Activities: They also organize events focused on faith and spiritual growth.
  • World Youth Day: FIMCAP members often visit the World Youth Day together. This is a large gathering of young Catholics from all over the world.
  • FIMCAP Day: November 20th is celebrated as FIMCAP Day.

Activities in Europe

FIMCAP Europe also has special activities:

  • EuroCourse: This is a training course for experienced youth leaders. A different European member organization hosts it each year.
  • EuroCamp: This camp helps young leaders from different countries meet and exchange ideas.
  • Roundabouts: These are exchanges between local youth groups from different FIMCAP member organizations in Europe.
  • Speeddating Seminars: These seminars help groups from different countries connect to start new exchange programs.
  • Visits: International groups visit activities of member organizations. Examples include national camps in Denmark, Belgium, and Austria.
  • Thematic Projects: They work on specific topics through projects.
  • Online Campaigns: FIMCAP Europe runs online campaigns. One example was "Vote Youthfully" for the 2019 European Parliament election.
  • Cooperation: They work with other groups like the European Fellowship.

FIMCAP's Important Topics

FIMCAP and its members work together to speak up for children and young people. They want to make sure young voices are heard in the church, society, and politics. FIMCAP believes this work is important because young people face different challenges. Their Christian beliefs and shared values guide this involvement.

FIMCAP wants to improve the quality of youth work. They also want to help shape the future of the world. They aim to protect our planet and improve chances for future generations. FIMCAP believes in sustainable planning, fair opportunities, good education, peace, and helping others.

Here are some key topics FIMCAP focuses on:

  • Youth Mobility: FIMCAP wants to make it easier for young people to travel for youth exchanges and activities. They work with the European Youth Forum to improve visa rules for youth travel.
  • Recognizing Youth Work: They advocate for youth work, especially international and religious youth work, to be valued and supported.
  • Funding for Youth Work: FIMCAP works to ensure there is steady funding for youth activities.
  • Environmental Protection: FIMCAP believes we must care for our planet. They call for strong efforts to stop climate change and its negative effects. They also raise awareness about climate problems and ask for support for those most affected.
  • Global Cooperation: FIMCAP believes in equal cooperation between different continents. They have focused on supporting global goals like the Millennium Development Goals and the Sustainable Development Goals.
  • Empowering Women and Equality: FIMCAP stresses the importance of women's empowerment and equality. They want to help women and men have truly equal opportunities.
  • Children's Rights: FIMCAP supports the participation of all children in society. They want to help children know their rights, as stated in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. They also work to create safe places for children and fight against violence and child labor.
  • Peace and Dialogue: FIMCAP works with groups like Religions for Peace. They help promote peace and understanding between different religions.

FIMCAP Europe's Focus

  • Diversity, Peace, and Respect: In 2015, FIMCAP Europe made a statement about diversity, peace, and respect. This was a response to rising extremism and attacks against refugees or people of certain religions.
  • Young Refugees: In October 2015, FIMCAP Europe made a statement about helping children and young people who had to leave their homes because of war or hunger.
  • Climate Justice: FIMCAP Europe helped start the alliance Generation Climate Europe. They lead a group focused on climate justice. This group gathers ideas from young people on how to create a green and fair Europe.
  • European Youth Goals: FIMCAP helped create the European Youth Goals. These are goals for youth policy in Europe.

How FIMCAP is Organized

Main Groups

The most important meeting for FIMCAP is its General Assembly. This meeting happens every three years. Each member organization sends people to represent them at the General Assembly.

The daily work and management of FIMCAP are handled by the intercontinental presidium. This group includes two presidents, a Praeses (a spiritual advisor), and a Secretary-General. Usually, the presidents are one man and one woman.

The intercontinental bureau (ICB) is like FIMCAP's board of directors. It includes the Presidium and representatives from the different continental groups.

Below these global groups, FIMCAP also has smaller groups for each continent. These are called continental conferences, bureaus, and presidiums.

Becoming a Member

Any Catholic youth organization can apply to join FIMCAP. The General Assembly votes to approve new members. Non-Catholic youth organizations can also join as associate members.

In 2016, FIMCAP made its membership rules clearer. To become a Full Member, an organization needs to meet four requirements:

  • It must be a Catholic organization.
  • It must organize activities for children or young people.
  • It must be led by young people.
  • It must have a direct link to local communities, like parishes.

Organizations that meet three of these four rules can become an Affiliate Member. If they meet two rules, they can become a Sustaining Member. Full Members have full voting rights, while Affiliate Members have limited voting rights.

FIMCAP Groups Around the World

Organizations whose names are in bold were founding members of FIMCAP.

FIMCAP Europe

Leaders of FIMCAP Europe

The leaders of FIMCAP Europe are chosen by the European member organizations at the EuroConference, which happens every three years. The FIMCAP Europe leadership team has four members: three presidents and a spiritual assistant. The presidents share the responsibilities, like representing FIMCAP Europe and coordinating activities. The spiritual assistant gives advice on faith-related matters.

Position Name Member organization / Country
Member of the presidium Roman Sieler KjG  Germany
Member of the presidium Manuela Hirzel Jungwacht Blauring  Switzerland
Member of the presidium Alexandria Hansen FDF  Denmark

Member Organizations in Europe

Country Name Acronym Status
 Romania Asociația Grupurilor Locale de Tineret AGLT Associate
 Lithuania Ateitis Full
 Belgium Chirojeugd Vlaanderen Full
 Spain /  Catalonia Coordinació Catalana CCCCCE Full
 Slovakia eRko – Hnutie kresťanských spoločenstiev detí eRko Full
 Italy Forum Oratori Italiani FOI Full
 Denmark / DEU Schleswig-Holstein COA.svg Schleswig-Holstein Frivilligt Drenge- og Pige-Forbund FDF Associate
 the Netherlands Jong Nederland Full
 Switzerland Jungwacht Blauring JuBla Full
 Germany Katholische junge Gemeinde KjG Full
 Austria /
 South Tyrol
Katholische Jungschar Full
 Hungary Katolikus Ifjúsági Mozgalom KIM Observer
 Belgium Fédération Nationale des Patros Patro Associate
 Georgia Umbrella Associate
 Slovakia V.I.A.C. - Institute for Youth Support and Development VIAC Observer
 Malta Żgħażagħ Azzjoni Kattolika ŻAK Full

Member Organizations in Africa

Country Name Acronym Status
 Burundi Chiro Burundi Full
 Botswana Chiro Botswana Full
 South Africa /
 Lesotho
Chiro South Africa Full
 Ghana Catholic Youth Organization Ghana CYO Ghana Full
 Nigeria Catholic Youth Organization Nigeria CYO Nigeria Full
 Sierra Leone Catholic Youth Organisation Sierra Leone CYO Sierra Leone Full
 DRC Kiro Congo KCD Full
 Burundi Xaveri Burundi Full
 DRC Xaveri Congo Full
 Rwanda Xaveri Rwanda Full
 South Africa Xaveri South Africa Full
 Uganda Xaveri Uganda Full

Member Organizations in Asia

Country Name Acronym Status
 Philippines Chiro Youth Movement Philippines Full
 India Indian Catholic Youth Movement ICYM Full
 Sri Lanka Kithu Dana Pubuduwa Full
 South Korea Hatsal Youth Ministry Institute

Member Organizations in Latin America

Country Name Acronym Status
 Chile Juventud Parroquial Chilena JUPACH Full
 Haiti Kiwo Ayiti Full
 Paraguay Niños Perseverantes Paraguayos Católico NIPPAC Full

Past Members

Country Name Acronym Status
 France Société de Saint-Vincent de Paul
 the Netherlands Katholieke Jongenclubs
 Switzerland Schweizer Katholische Jungmannschaftsverband
 Canada /  Quebec La Centrale del Patros Quebec
 France Facel Paris
 Namibia Namibian Catholic Youth League NaCaYul

General Assemblies

The General Assembly is FIMCAP's most important meeting. Here's a list of past assemblies:

Number Year Country City Topic Other information
0 - Founding Meeting 1961 (7 – 8 October)  Germany Munich Founding Meeting
1st General Assembly 1963  the Netherlands Leiden Building parish organizations for older teens
2nd General Assembly 1964  Germany Berlin The situation of young people aged 14-17
3rd General Assembly 1965  Switzerland Luzern Youth work in developing countries Two female organizations (Chiromeisjes Vlaanderen and Kiro Congo filles) became the first female member organizations.
4th General Assembly 1966  Belgium Brussels Youth work after the Second Vatican Council
5th General Assembly 1967  Austria Vienna The role of small groups in the future Church
6th General Assembly 1969  Germany Altenberg International cooperation
7th General Assembly 1970  UK London FIMCAP's common goals and future
8th General Assembly 1971  Switzerland Bad Schönbrunn Shared aims and structures
9th General Assembly 1973  France Marseille Working with youth today for tomorrow
10th General Assembly 1975  Italy Rome How FIMCAP is organized JUPACH became a full member of FIMCAP.
11th General Assembly 1977  Austria Vienna The situation and rights of children and young people
12th General Assembly 1979  Switzerland Luzern The role of the parish
13th General Assembly 1981  UK West Wickham Relationships between European and developing country federations
14th General Assembly 1983  France Aix en Provence International Year of Youth: participation, peace, and development
15th General Assembly 1986  Belgium Westmalle
16th General Assembly 1989  Belgium Ryckevelde, Bruges Living in a world with many cultures
17th General Assembly 1992  Belgium Bruges Foreigners and cultural exchange
18th General Assembly 1995  Switzerland Randa
19th General Assembly 1998  South Africa Botha's hill Topics important to young people
20th General Assembly 2001  Ghana Accra Young people as leaders for peace Ateitis became a full member of FIMCAP.
21st General Assembly 2004  Spain Barcelona Young people in a globalizing world
22nd General Assembly 2007  Italy Assisi Millennium Development Goals
23rd General Assembly 2010  Germany Munich Climate change CYO Nigeria was admitted as full member.
24th General Assembly 2013  Slovakia Modra Children's Rights AGLT was admitted as Associate member. It was the first non-Christian organization to become a FIMCAP member. The Assembly adopted a statement on "enhancing mobility of young people."
25th General Assembly 2016  Switzerland Melchtal OW A child rights-based approach to the sustainable development goals (SDGs) Hatsal became a member of FIMCAP.
26th General Assembly 2019  Belgium Westmalle The value of play Chiro Botswana was admitted as a full member of FIMCAP.
27th General Assembly 2023  Germany Gernsheim Solidarity Patro & Umbrella became associate members of FIMCAP

FIMCAP Leaders

World Presidents of FIMCAP

Name Member organization / Country Time in office
Ruben Leeman Chiro  Belgium 2019-2025
Marie Lavall KjG  Germany 2019-2025
Lourdes B. Galeano Cuellar NIPPAC  Paraguay 2016-2019
James Dsouza ICYM  India 2016-2019
Annette Wahle KjG  Germany 2013-2016
Liese Vandenheede Chiro  Belgium 2013-2016
Lea Sedlmayr KjG  Germany 2010-2013
Marvic Debono ŻAK  Malta 2010-2013
Holger Witting KjG  Germany 2007-2010
Carme Carrion i. Ribas CCCCCE  Catalonia 2001-2004
Olivier Heyen Chiro  Belgium 1998-2001

European Presidents of FIMCAP

Time in office Member of the presidium Member organization / Country Member of the presidium Member organization / Country Member of the presidium Member organization / Country Spiritual assistant Member organization / Country
2023-2025 Fidelis Stehle KjG  Germany Caspar Coster FDF  Denmark Kim Geißler KjG  Germany Vacant
Time in office Member of the presidium Member organization / Country Member of the presidium Member organization / Country Member of the presidium Member organization / Country Spiritual assistant Member organization / Country
2021-2023 Roman Sieler KjG  Germany Manuela Hirzel Jungwacht Blauring  Switzerland Alexandria Hansen FDF  Denmark Vacant
2017-2021 Bernd Hirschberger KjG  Germany Matthias Schneider KjG  Germany Stan Driesens Chiro  Belgium Fr Reuben Gauci ŻAK  Malta
Time in office President Member organization / Country Vice-president Member organization / Country Activity coordinator Member organization / Country Spiritual assistant Member organization / Country
2014-2017 vacant - Bernd Hirschberger KjG  Germany Veronika Švitková eRko  Slovakia Fr Reuben Gauci ŻAK  Malta
Time in office President Member organization / Country Vice-president Member organization / Country Secretary Member organization / Country Spiritual assistant Member organization / Country
2011-2014 Magdalena Lewis KjG  Germany / FDF  Denmark Juraj Králik eRko  Slovakia Vincienne Debono ŻAK  Malta Fr Reuben Gauci ŻAK  Malta
2008-2011 Michele Lettieri FOI  Italy Coen Van Kuijk Jong Nederland  Netherlands Marah Köberle KjG  Germany Fr. Josep Lluís Calvís CCCCCE  Catalonia
2005-2008 Jürgen Leuser KjG  Germany Carla Acerbi FOI  Italy

Over the years, the rules for FIMCAP Europe have changed. The names and roles of the leaders have also changed. Before 2017, the leadership team had a president, a vice-president, an activity coordinator, and a spiritual assistant. The activity coordinator role started in 2014, replacing the secretary position.

Asian Presidents of FIMCAP

Time in office President Member organization / Country Vice-president Member organization / Country Secretary Member organization / Country Spiritual assistant Member organization / Country
2010-2013 Jomon Thomas Indian Catholic Youth Movement  India Sameera Gayantha Warnakulasuriya Kithu Dana Pubuduwa  Sri Lanka Marie Gutierrez Chiro Philippines  Philippines Fr Ranjana Kavithre Indian Catholic Youth Movement  India

African Presidents of FIMCAP

Time in office President Member Organization / Country
2023-now Jjuuko Augustine Uganda Xaverian Movement

 Uganda

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: FIMCAP para niños

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