Service Civil International

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Web : www.sciint.org

Service Civil International (SCI) is an international non-governmental voluntary service organisation and peace movement with 45 branches and groups worldwide. The organisation was founded in 1920 by Swiss engineer Pierre Cérésole. It is also known as International Voluntary Service in a number of English-speaking countries and as Voluntary Service International in Ireland.

Aims

Cleaning a market in Cambodia

SCI states to base its work on the following values:

Volunteering - in the sense of acting out of self-initiative, without seeking material reward and for the benefit of civil society, as a method and a statement for social change, whilst never competing with paid labour nor seeking to contribute to strike-breaking
Non-violence – as a principle and a method
Human Rights – respect for individuals as stated in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
Solidarity – international solidarity for a more just world and solidarity between human beings at all levels
Respect for the Environment – and the ecosystem of which we are a part and upon which we are dependent
Inclusion - to be open and inclusive to all individuals who share the aims and objectives of the movement, without regard to gender, race, colour, religion, nationality, social status or political views and any other possible grounds for discrimination
Empowerment – empowering people to understand and act to transform the social, cultural and economic structures that affect their lives at all levels
Co-operation – with local communities as well as other local, national and international actors to strengthen the positive potential within civil society as a whole.

SCI believes that all people are capable of living together with mutual respect and without recourse to any form of violence to solve conflicts. It organises international volunteer projects all over the world because it believes that peace can only be built if people with different backgrounds and cultures learn to co-operate and work together.

History

SCI was born out of a passionate search for peace, immediately after World War I. Taking part in the first International Conference of the Fellowship of Reconciliation in 1920 in Bilthoven,^[1] Pierre Cérésole, a Swiss radical pacifist initiated a peace project with volunteers from different countries in France.

From reconciliation to emergency aid (1920)

Pierre Cérésole at Verdun

The first international workcamp took place on the former battle field of Verdun (France) in 1920 in order to reconstruct the war-damaged village Esnes-en-Argonne and being a symbol of reconciliation between France and Germany. Among the small group of international volunteers were also three German volunteers. They built temporary homes for the villagers and cleared the farm land.

In 1924, Cérésole organised a second international workcamp in Les Ormonts (Switzerland), which helped to clear rubble after an avalanche. This service was promoted as a model service for conscientious objectors, in order to support a political campaign to introduce an alternative service. In the following years more relief services were organized. The largest has been in 1928 in Liechtenstein with more than 700 volunteers from 28 countries, which cleared the Rhine valley plain after a heavy flood in 1927.

Evolvement in social commitment (1931)

Pierre Cérésole sitting amidst children at Brynmawr

In the first decade of SCI, workcamps were used relief services for regions affected by natural disasters. In 1931, the SCI idea evolved and the concept of Workcamps with international volunteers were applied in other areas of social commitment:

Community development: during the economic crisis of the coal mining industry in Wales, a workcamp was organised to restore self-confidence in distressed mining town of Brynmawr (Wales, Great Britain). Volunteers and unemployed men build a swimming pool and layout a public park.
Developmental aid : in 1931, Cérésole got acquainted with Gandhi, who invited him to bring SCI to India. In 1934, he travelled to India in order to organize workcamps for a region affected by the earthquake in Bihar. This project was repeated in 1935 and 1936. Further development aid projects followed after World War II.
Humanitarian help: in 1937, SCI was mandated by a group of aid organizations to give humanitarian help for refugee children during the Spanish Civil war (1936-1939). Evacuation services and food and clothing distribution were carried out in the part of the Spanish Republic. Twenty years later, humanitarian help was given to war orphans in Tunisia during the Algerian War (1958-1962). Besides those two projects, humanitarian help never got any further importance in SCI.

International organisation (1948)

Since 1920, SCI organised workcamps and activities with no formal structure in France, Switzerland, Great Britain, India, and other countries. As the idea workcamps expanded to other countries after World War II an international association of SCI branches with an international secretariat in Paris was founded. The volunteer exchange and workcamp organisation were improved (such as set up volunteer insurance). The number of workcamps and volunteers increased tremendously:

1947: 46 workcamps in 9 countries
1968: 298 workcamps in 24 countries.

The number branches increased similar. In the 60s regional coordination structures for Africa, Asia and Europa were set up.

North-South and Development Aid (1950)

In 1950, SCI was invited by the recent independent India in order to carry out construction of houses for refugees in Faridabad (India) and. A small group of international volunteer was able to recruit many local volunteers. The conflict between India and Pakistan inspired them to organise workcamps in Pakistan since 1951. As consequence, several local branches and groups of SCI were founded in Asia.

Confronted by the immense poverty in disadvantaged regions in Europe, Asia and Africa, SCI started to set up development aid program and recruiting qualified volunteers. The largest development programme was in the province of Tlemcen, West Algeria, after the Algerian War Independence (1954-1962). From 1962 till 1968 SCI rebuilt the village Beni Hamou, set up a medical service and community development like primary teaching for the district of Sebdou.

East-West (1955)

Despite the Cold War SCI looked for an exchange Eastern bloc. As non-communist organisation, SCI volunteers took part in a workcamp during 5th World Youth Festival in Warsaw (Poland) in 1955. From then on workcamps were co-organised with socialist volunteer organisation in Poland (1955), GDR (1956), USSR (1958), Hungary (1964), Czechoslovakia (1964), and Bulgaria (1981). This contatcts were intensified in the 70s. 1972 SCI set up East West commission in order to facilitate volunteer exchange and to improve co-operation with partner organisations in socialist countries. With the political shift in Eastern Europe new SCI initiatives started since 1990.

Reorientation (1969)

In a row of seminars, workshops and meetings from 1969 on, the political implication of SCI in society were reviewed. As consequence SCI abandon the developmental aid approach as one of the main purpose of workcamps. The social and political awareness rising for and through international volunteers got focus in most activities of SCI. In particular the North-South reorientate to the concept of development education and solidarity. Examples several international campaigns (1985-1992) for the independence of Namibia were organised, which was followed by an international refugee campaign (1994-1997).

The reorientation lead to further standardisation in international volunteer exchange. In the late 1970s, a decentralised volunteer placement system for workcamps was introduced, while the North-South and East-West exchange were centralised by European and International Co-ordination of SCI. The latter was decentralised in the mid 90s.

International working groups (1997)

With the reorientation in the 1970s, SCI converted its structure with international and regional secretariats to and international coordination with working groups with focus on a particular region or interest area. In 1997 major constitutional change introduced a status for working groups, which are approved now every year. Regional working groups exists for Africa, Asia and Latin America (Aba Yala) and South Eastern Europe (SAVA). The other working groups focused on the following topics:

Immigration and refugee (since 1970) such as the European Centre for Immigration
East-West exchange (since 1972) such as the Group of Action together in Europe (GATE)
Gender issue (since 1983) such as the WIN
Conscientious Objection (1984-1990)
Youth and Unemployment (since 1985) YUWG
North-South Exchange (since 1987): such as the SEED
Long Term Volunteering (since 1989): such as the LTRC
Environmental issues (since 1998)
Human Rights (since 1998)

List of SCI branches and groups^[2]

SCI divides between full member with branches-status and associated members with group-status. The international committee of SCI decides about the status based on the national constitution, organisation and infrastructure of its members. The national branches can have their own names, which they state "branch of SCI" in their documents. The following tables gives an overview on all branches and groups of SCI. The beginning of activities often refers to the first workcamp organised by or in co-operation with SCI.

Continent	Country	Organisation	Begin of activities^[3]	Branch since	Remark
Africa	Algeria	SCI Algeria	1948	1952	Dissolved 1954
	Mauritius	SVI Mauritius	1960	1981
	Nigeria	VWAN Nigeria	1963	(2009)	SCI Group
Asia	Bangladesh	SCI Bangladesh	1962	1972
	Hong Kong, China	SCI Hong Kong	2006	(2011)	SCI Group
	India	SCI India	1934	1956
	Japan	SCI Japan	1958	1964
	Jordan	Bridge of Peace		(2011)	SCI Group
	Malaysia	SCI Malaysia	1964	1992
	Nepal	SCI Nepal	1961	1994
	Pakistan	SCI Pakistan	1951	1997	SCI Group
	South Korea	SCI South Korea	1965	?
	Sri Lanka	SCI Sri Lanka	1960	1994
Australia	Australia	IVP Australia	1988	(2013)	SCI Branch
Europe	Albania	PVN Albania	2005	(2009)	SCI Group
	Austria	SCI Austria	1947	1949
	Belarus	New Group Belarus	1992	(2000)	SCI Group
	Belgium	SCI Belgium	1947	1948
		VIA Belgium	1946	1977
	Bulgaria	CVS Bulgaria	1974	2004
	Croatia	VCZ Croatia	1964	2007
	Denmark		1948	1954	Dissolved 1980
	Finland	KVT Finland	1947	1981
	France	SCI France	1920	1936
	Germany	SCI Germany	1946	1948
	Great Britain	IVS Great Britain	1931	1948
	Greece	SCI Hellas	1944	1992
	Hungary	Utilapu Hungary	1966	2002
	Ireland	VSI Ireland	1965	1973
	Italy	SCI Italy	1945	1948
	Kosovo	Gaia	2010	(2014)	SCI Branch
	Macedonia	Center for Intercultural Dialogue	2006	(2011)	SCI Group
	Moldova	AVI Moldova	1962	(2004)	SCI Group
	Netherlands	VIA Netherlands	1941	1948
	Northern Ireland	IVS Northern Ireland	1972	1987	Dissolved around 2007
	Norway	ID Norway	1939	1948
	Poland	OWA Poland	1947	1999
	Romania	SCI Romania	1991	1998
	Serbia	VCV Serbia	2004	2008
	Slovenia	Voluntariat SCI Slovenia	1963	1998
	Spain	SCI Catalonia	1982	1989
		SCI Madrid	1937	2001
	Sweden	IAL Sweden	1936	1969
	Switzerland	SCI Switzerland	1924	1948
	Ukraine	SVIT Ukraine	2000	2009
	Slovakia	INEX Slovakia	1993	?
Latin America	Brazil	SVI Brazil	2008	(2009)	SCI Group
	Mexico	SCM Mexico	?	2010
North America	United States of America	SCI-IVS USA	1956	1963?

Networking

Ecological work in Sweden

The organisation has consultative status with the Council of Europe, operational relations with UNESCO and is a member of:

CCIVS (Coordinating Committee of International Voluntary Service Organisations)
YFJ (Youth Forum Jeunesse)
UNITED for Intercultural Action - a European network against nationalism, racism, fascism

In 1987, SCI was awarded the title of Messenger of Peace given by the United Nations, in acknowledgement of its efforts to promote peace and understanding.

Full members status is held to the European Youth Forum (YFJ) which operates within the Council of Europe and European Union areas and works closely with both these bodies.

Bibliography

Ethelwyn Best, Bernhard Pike: International Voluntary Service for Peace 1920-1946, George Allen and Unwin, London, 1948
Arthur Gillette : One million volunteers: the story of volunteer youth service, Penguin Books, Harmondsworth, A pelican original, 1968, 258 p. on-line
Hélène Monastier, Alice Brügger: Paix, pelle et pioche, Histoire du Service Civil International, Editions du Service civil international, Switzerland, 1966
SCI : Service Civil International 1920-1990 - 70 years of Voluntary Service for Peace and Reconciliation, Verdun, 1990

Notes

↑ See (French) Rencontres de Bilthoven.
↑ for addresses of SCI branches see Website of SCI International coordination
↑ The begin of activities is referred to the official annual workcamp list of SCI International Coordination (SCI Archives Reference: CH NECFBV SCI 40001.2)

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Service Civil International.

Member organisations of the European Youth Forum (YFJ)

Full members: International non-governmental youth organisations	Association des Etats Généraux des Etudiants de l'Europe Alliance of European Voluntary Service Organisations International ATD Fourth World Movement Democrat Youth Community of Europe European Bureau of Conscientious Objection Young European Socialists European Confederation of Youth Clubs European Democrat Students European Educational Exchanges – Youth for Understanding European Federation for Intercultural Learning Erasmus Student Network ACTIVE - Sobriety, Friendship and Peace European Students' Union European Trade Union Confederation Youth EU Federation of Youth Hostel Associations European Union of Jewish Students Ecumenical Youth Council in Europe International Federation of Catholic Parochial Youth Movements (Fimcap) Federation of Young European Greens (FYEG) International Federation of Liberal Youth International Falcon Movement - Socialist Education International International Federation of Medical Students' Associations International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Youth and Student Organisation International Union of Socialist Youth International Young Nature Friends International Young Catholic Students - International Movement of Catholic Students Young European Federalists European Liberal Youth International Movement of Catholic Agricultural and Rural Youth Organising Bureau of European School Student Unions Rural Youth Europe Service Civil International World Esperanto Youth Organization World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts World Organisation of the Scout Movement Youth Action for Peace Youth and Environment Europe Youth of the European People's Party Youth for Exchange and Understanding European Alliance of Young Men's Christian Associations Young Women's Christian Association Youth of European Nationalities

Full members: National youth councils	Allianssi British Youth Council Nationale Jeugdraad Comité pour les Relations Nationales et Internationales des Associations de Jeunesse et d'Education Populaire Eesti Noorteühenduste Liit Conférence Générale de la Jeunesse Luxembourgoise Consejo de la Juventud de España Conselho Nacional de Juventude Consell Nacional de la Joventut de Catalunya Consiliul Național al Tineretului din Moldova Comité pour les Relations Internationales de Jeunesse National Youth Council of Switzerland Cyprus Youth Council Deutsches Nationalkomitee für Internationale Jugendarbeit Dansk Ungdoms Fællesråd National Youth Council of Greece Forum Nazionale dei Giovani Kunsill Nazzjonali Taz-Zghazagh Lietuvos jaunimo organizacijų taryba Latvijas Jaunatnes Padome Landsrådet for Norske barne- og ungdomsorganisasjoner Landsrådet för Sveriges ungdomsorganisationer Landsamband æskulýðsfélaga Mladinski Svet Slovenjie Mreža Mladih Hrvatske National Assembly of Youth Organisations of the Republic of Azerbaijan National Council of Youth Organisations of Georgia National Youth Council of Armenia National Youth Council of Ireland National Youth Council of Russia Österreichische Kinder- und Jugendvertretung Belarusian Union of Youth and Children's Public Associations Rada Mládeže Slovenska Česká rada dětí a mládeže Vlaamse Jeugdraad

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