JCI Secretary General Edson A. Kodama announces the new JCI Active Citizen Day to celebrate JCI members’ efforts to create positive change internationally for more than 65 years.
Warm Greetings to all JCI members worldwide!
For more than half a century, members of our organization have spent every December 11 celebrating JCI Day – the anniversary of the day our organization was founded on the international level in 1944.
At the 2010 JCI World Congress in Osaka, the General Assembly approved the change to JCI Active Citizen Day. When Henry Giessenbier founded the first Junior Chamber Organization in 1915, he said his aim was to bring young people together for “everything which would make … a good citizen a better citizen.” He saw that young people needed a constructive approach to civic problems to make a difference – the very essence of Active Citizenship.
With this new name, we will continue to celebrate JCI’s rich history in international cooperation, but also focus on how we can continue creating positive change in the future.
A Look Back
On December 11th, 1944 30 young active citizens from eight countries-Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama and the United States¬-met in Mexico City to sign a declaration that led to the establishment of Junior Chamber International. In the wake of the Second World War, the federation began on the premise that young people working for mutual understanding could prevent future atrocities like those seen during the war and build a better world. JCI Members soon established JCI Day as a way to commemorate that historic meeting and renew our commitment to creating positive change.
Throughout the years, JCI members have taken the opportunity of JCI Day to organize projects in their communities. Now, 66 years later, JCI members continue to serve their communities to build a better world, creating global impact.
Time to Take Action
The change to JCI Active Citizen Day this year reflects our commitment to creating positive change, and reminds others of our founder’s intentions. It helps others identify with the actions and goals of our organization and our members. I encourage you to take the opportunity of this change to renew your commitment to making a difference today. JCI members are defined by their actions, and we must show the world that we are defined as young active citizens working to make the world a better place.
For the past 22 years, I have been part of this wonderful organization and have witnessed the passion of JCI members creating positive change in their communities and around the world. JCI Active Citizen Day is not just a time to celebrate these young leaders, but to pioneer new efforts to bring about the change we desire. This year, I encourage you to take JCI Active Citizen Day to the next level. Do something in your community that other members can look back on in the future and celebrate your positive impact.
How will YOU celebrate?
What will you do for JCI Active Citizen Day this year? How will you celebrate and unite with other JCI members in your community and around the world? How will you carry on the legacy of 66 years of positive global change?
Show your JCI pride by inviting a friend to a local project. Find a new way to raise awareness for JCI Nothing But Nets. Share the JCI Mission and Vision with other young people in your community and help stir the passion that led you to join JCI. Create an event to celebrate and congratulate your members and supporters. Proudly reflect on JCI members from years past who were an integral part of creating positive change.
JCI Active Citizen Day is a day to commemorate the past, present and future of JCI. This day, we will stand up and take new steps toward building a better world.
Best regards and best wishes for a joyous JCI Active Citizen Day,
Edson A. Kodama
JCI Secretary General
For more than half a century, members of our organization have spent every December 11 celebrating JCI Day – the anniversary of the day our organization was founded on the international level in 1944.
At the 2010 JCI World Congress in Osaka, the General Assembly approved the change to JCI Active Citizen Day. When Henry Giessenbier founded the first Junior Chamber Organization in 1915, he said his aim was to bring young people together for “everything which would make … a good citizen a better citizen.” He saw that young people needed a constructive approach to civic problems to make a difference – the very essence of Active Citizenship.
With this new name, we will continue to celebrate JCI’s rich history in international cooperation, but also focus on how we can continue creating positive change in the future.
A Look Back
On December 11th, 1944 30 young active citizens from eight countries-Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama and the United States¬-met in Mexico City to sign a declaration that led to the establishment of Junior Chamber International. In the wake of the Second World War, the federation began on the premise that young people working for mutual understanding could prevent future atrocities like those seen during the war and build a better world. JCI Members soon established JCI Day as a way to commemorate that historic meeting and renew our commitment to creating positive change.
Throughout the years, JCI members have taken the opportunity of JCI Day to organize projects in their communities. Now, 66 years later, JCI members continue to serve their communities to build a better world, creating global impact.
Time to Take Action
The change to JCI Active Citizen Day this year reflects our commitment to creating positive change, and reminds others of our founder’s intentions. It helps others identify with the actions and goals of our organization and our members. I encourage you to take the opportunity of this change to renew your commitment to making a difference today. JCI members are defined by their actions, and we must show the world that we are defined as young active citizens working to make the world a better place.
For the past 22 years, I have been part of this wonderful organization and have witnessed the passion of JCI members creating positive change in their communities and around the world. JCI Active Citizen Day is not just a time to celebrate these young leaders, but to pioneer new efforts to bring about the change we desire. This year, I encourage you to take JCI Active Citizen Day to the next level. Do something in your community that other members can look back on in the future and celebrate your positive impact.
How will YOU celebrate? What will you do for JCI Active Citizen Day this year? How will you celebrate and unite with other JCI members in your community and around the world? How will you carry on the legacy of 66 years of positive global change?
Show your JCI pride by inviting a friend to a local project. Find a new way to raise awareness for JCI Nothing But Nets. Share the JCI Mission and Vision with other young people in your community and help stir the passion that led you to join JCI. Create an event to celebrate and congratulate your members and supporters. Proudly reflect on JCI members from years past who were an integral part of creating positive change.
JCI Active Citizen Day is a day to commemorate the past, present and future of JCI. This day, we will stand up and take new steps toward building a better world.
Best regards and best wishes for a joyous JCI Active Citizen Day,
Edson A. Kodama
JCI Secretary General
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