Fimcap facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
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	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 /  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

See also

In Spanish: FIMCAP para niños