About JCI
100 Years of Sustainable Impact
About
JCI’s story begins with Henry Giessenbier Jr., a young man living in St. Louis, Missouri, USA, during a time of incredible growth and change. Giessenbier recognized the talents and passions of the young people around him, and envisioned the positive change they could create if they had the right resources. To provide these tools, in 1915 he founded the first JCI movement in the St. Louis area. What began as a local movement spread quickly, and with enthusiasm. Young people across the United States and then across the globe joined together to create positive forces in their communities on a local, national and international scale.
Giessenbier saw JCI as an organization that could harness the energy of young leaders to overcome a variety of civic challenges. JCI members would have the opportunity to develop as individuals, contribute to the prosperity of economic infrastructure through entrepreneurship, understand and appreciate the social dynamics that enable community problem-solving and promote goodwill, cooperation and understanding amongst all people. That enduring vision lives on through the organization today.
JCI Creed
We Believe;
That faith in God gives meaning and purpose to human life;
That the brotherhood of man transcends the sovereignty of nations;
That economic justice can best be won by free men through free enterprise;
That government should be of laws rather than of men;
That earth's great treasure lies in human personality;
And that service to humanity is the best work of life.
Mission
Provide leadership development opportunities that empower young people to create
positive change.
Vision
To be the foremost global network of young leaders
Our Purpose
Young people are talented, dedicated and searching for opportunities
to make a difference in the world. Here’s how we help.
• Amplify their skills to make them effective future leaders
• Encourage them to solve problems through critical thinking and
strategic partnerships
• Give them access to a supportive global network of like-minded,
enterprising young leaders and social entrepreneurs
JCI members challenge each other to dream boldly and act thoughtfully,
empowering each other to create positive and lasting change.
Our Impact
JCI members carry out thousands of projects each year that
invigorate business communities, provide new opportunities to
people from all walks of life and give aid at a grassroots level.
• JCI RISE is a global initiative fighting the economic fallout from
COVID-19 through sustaining and rebuilding economies, workforce
empowerment and finding solutions to promote mental wellbeing
• Through initiatives, projects, trainings and a focus on leadership
development, JCI boosts the abilities of individuals, who in turn
impact their communities
• JCI’s goal is the holistic personal growth of our members
through Individual Development, Business & Entrepreneurship,
Community Action and International Cooperation