The new year will see JCI Programs reach a new level through key improvements which aim to increase our worldwide impact.

In 2012, JCI is looking to members at the grass roots level to take action through JCI Programs. While each JCI Program is unique, they all support the JCI Mission by providing opportunities for young people to create positive change. 

JCI Awards

• Supporting the JCI Mission: JCI members are living the JCI Mission and creating positive change on a daily basis. JCI Awards recognizes the projects and the people behind this positive change. Winners that are truly exemplary can serve to inspire others to create an impact in their own communities.


• What to expect in 2012: This year marks a shift to focus more closely on activities at the grass roots level, and awards categories have been changed to increase this emphasis. In an effort to award the best work within an organization, JCI National Organizations will only be allowed to submit one candidate per award category on the international level. Additionally, entries can be edited and submitted inside the JCI website instead of through a separate web portal. More news about navigating the new system will be coming soon! 

JCI Twinning

• Supporting the JCI Mission: Connecting individuals from around the world fosters understanding across cultures. JCI Twinning partnerships allow for idea sharing across cities, borders and oceans, increasing positive change.


• What to expect in 2012: Members have been asking, and we’ve been listening. This year we are developing a space on the website where organizations interested in participating in the program can post and voice their interests in the program and possible twinning agreements. Organizations will have access to easy-to-use descriptive profiles to share what their organization’s membership looks like and declare what they’re looking for in a JCI Twinning partner. In order to increase the effectiveness of this program in creating powerful partnerships, more resources are currently in development.

JCI World Public Speaking Championship

• Supporting the JCI Mission: Whether presenting during a local meeting or proposing a partnership with a local company, speaking in front of a group of people is a task that every JCI member will encounter. This program presents members the opportunity to perfect their public speaking skills on a competitive platform.


• What to expect in 2012: This year, instead of having one universal topic that competitors will speak about at each level of competition, topics will focus on what is important to the local, national or regional community in which the competition is being held. This JCI Program is not only about presenting a compelling speech, but also about being able to take positions on relevant issues.

JCI World Debating Championship

• Supporting the JCI Mission: As young active citizens who are working to create change, JCI members will encounter situations where they must persuade others to believe in their ideas. This competition exercises one’s ability to convincingly sell their proposals, thoughts or opinions.


• What to expect in 2012: Debating competitions at 2012 JCI Area Conferences and 2012 JCI World Congress will be comprised of up to eight teams, with JCI National Organizations being represented by no more than one team of debaters. The topics of debates will also increasingly deal with topics relevant to the world in which JCI members live and work every day. 

To learn more about JCI Programs, download the toolkits from the JCI Library. 

If you have any suggestions for making JCI Programs resources more helpful, please email programs@jci.cc.