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Fédération Internationale des Mouvements Catholiques d'Action Paroissiale

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	31 unions
Presidents	Marie Lavall Ruben Leeman
Praeses	Fr. Wilson de Jesus Mendes
Secretary-General	Evy Hoeben
Website	www.fimcap.org

The FIMCAP is a big group that brings together many Catholic youth organizations from around the world. Its full name is Fédération Internationale des Mouvements Catholiques d'Action Paroissiale, which is French for "International Federation of Catholic Parochial Youth Movements."

FIMCAP has 31 member organizations in 28 different countries. It was started in 1962. The Holy See (the main leadership of the Catholic Church) officially recognizes FIMCAP. FIMCAP is also a full member of the European Youth Forum, which is a platform for youth organizations in Europe.

FIMCAP's History

The idea for FIMCAP began in 1959. Youth groups from France, Belgium, and the Netherlands wanted to work together internationally. They made a plan in October 1959 in Lucerne.

In 1960, the first meeting for delegates happened in Munich. 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 1962.

The Holy See recognized FIMCAP in 1976. This made FIMCAP an "International Catholic Organization." Since 2006, the Belgian government has also recognized FIMCAP as an international non-governmental organization.

Before FIMCAP, there were other similar groups. One was started in 1921 in Rome. It changed its name a few times over the years. In 1968, it joined with another group for young women. This new group ended in 1981. FIMCAP then took over its activities, becoming the largest international group for Catholic youth organizations.

What FIMCAP Does

FIMCAP organizes many activities for young people:

Every three years, FIMCAP holds the World Camp. This is a big international camp for young people.
FIMCAP has its own magazine called LINK Magazine. It comes out four times a year.
They organize spiritual activities to help young people grow in their faith.
FIMCAP members often visit the World Youth Day together.
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 every 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 events help groups from different countries connect to start new exchange projects.
Visits: International groups visit activities of other member organizations. For example, they might go to national camps in Denmark, Belgium, or Austria.
Thematic projects: These are projects focused on specific topics.
Online campaigns: FIMCAP runs online campaigns, like "Vote Youthfully," which shared information about the 2019 European Parliament election.
FIMCAP also works with the European Fellowship.

FIMCAP's Important Topics and Views

FIMCAP and its members want to work together to speak up for children, teenagers, and young adults. They do this within the church, society, and politics. FIMCAP believes this is important because young people and youth groups face different challenges. Their Christian beliefs and shared values guide this work.

FIMCAP wants to make sure their youth work is high quality. They also want to help shape the future world, protect our planet, and improve life for future generations. They believe in planning carefully, fair chances for everyone, good education, peace, kindness, and working together.

Here are some of the main topics FIMCAP focuses on:

Youth Mobility: FIMCAP wants to make it easier for young people to travel and participate in international youth exchanges. They ask for changes to visa rules to help youth groups.
Recognizing Youth Work: They work to ensure that youth work, especially international and religious youth work, is valued and recognized.
Funding for Youth Work: FIMCAP advocates for stable and long-term funding for youth activities.
Protecting the Environment: FIMCAP believes we must care for our planet. They call for strong actions to stop climate change and help those most affected by it. They decided to focus on sustainability and climate change for three years.
Global Cooperation: FIMCAP believes in equal cooperation between different continents. They have focused on helping to achieve the Millennium Development Goals and later the Sustainable Development Goals.
Empowering Women and Equality: FIMCAP stresses the importance of giving women power and ensuring equal rights and dignity for everyone. They want real equality between women and men.
Children's Rights: FIMCAP supports all children being included in church and society. They want children to know their rights, as listed in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. They work to create safe places for children and fight against violence and child labor.
Peace and Dialogue Between Religions: FIMCAP works with groups like Religions for Peace. They help define the needs and benefits of talking and understanding between different religions.

FIMCAP Europe's Views

Diversity, Peace, and Respect: In 2015, FIMCAP Europe made a statement supporting diversity, peace, and respect. This was a response to rising extremism and attacks against refugees or people of different religions.
Young Refugees: In October 2015, FIMCAP Europe made a statement about "Helping together the children and young people who were forced to flee from war, persecution and hunger."
Climate Justice: FIMCAP Europe helped start "Generation Climate Europe." They lead a group on climate justice, gathering ideas from young people on how to make Europe green and fair. Their findings were published in the "Young Voices on Climate Justice Report."
European Youth Goals: FIMCAP helped create the European Youth Goals. They also participated in the EU Youth Conferences where these goals were adopted.

How FIMCAP is Organized

FIMCAP has different groups that help it run smoothly.

Main Governing Bodies

The General Assembly is FIMCAP's highest decision-making group. It meets every three years. Each member organization sends people to this meeting.
The intercontinental presidium manages FIMCAP's daily work. It has two presidents (one man and one woman, if possible), a Praeses (a spiritual leader), and a Secretary-General.
The intercontinental bureau (ICB) includes the Presidium and leaders from the continental groups. It acts like FIMCAP's board of directors.

Below these global groups, FIMCAP also has similar structures for each continent.

How to Become a Member

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

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

It must be a Catholic organization.
It must organize activities for children and/or youth.
It must be led by young people.
It must have a direct link to local communities, usually at the parish level.

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

FIMCAP's Continental Branches and Member Organizations

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

FIMCAP Europe

Presidium of FIMCAP Europe

The leaders of FIMCAP Europe are chosen by delegates from European member organizations at the EuroConference, which happens every three years. The FIMCAP Europe presidium 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 topics.

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 / 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

Former Members

Country	Name	Acronym
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 main meeting where important decisions are made.

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 youth organizations for ages 17+
2nd General Assembly	1964	Germany	Berlin	The situation of young people aged 14 to 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 and formation of small groups in the Church
6th General Assembly	1969	Germany	Altenberg	International teamwork and support
7th General Assembly	1970	UK	London	Our common goals, present, and future in FIMCAP
8th General Assembly	1971	Switzerland	Bad Schönbrunn	Shared goals and structures
9th General Assembly	1973	France	Marseille	Our work 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	Situation of children and youngsters – children's rights
12th General Assembly	1979	Switzerland	Luzern	The local church community (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
18th General Assembly	1995	Switzerland	Randa
19th General Assembly	1998	South Africa	Botha's hill
20th General Assembly	2001	Ghana	Accra	Young people, leaders of 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 became an Associate member, the first non-Christian organization to join FIMCAP. The Assembly adopted a Declaration 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 a full member of FIMCAP.
27th General Assembly	2023	Germany	Gernsheim	Solidarity	Patro & Umbrella became associate members of FIMCAP

FIMCAP's Presidents

World Presidents of FIMCAP

These are the leaders who guide FIMCAP globally.

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

These leaders guide FIMCAP's work in Europe. The roles and names of positions have changed over the years.

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

Asian Presidents of FIMCAP

These are the leaders who guide FIMCAP's work in Asia.

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

Images for kids

The official logo of FIMCAP.