The International Movement of Catholic Agricultural Rural Youth is an international movement with member movements in four continents.

Rural youth from 12 to 30 years commit themselves in these rural youth movements. They locally contribute to the sustainable rural development. At all the levels, the decisions are made democratically and the teams of management are elected in order to direct the movements. At the regional or national level, there are full timers who support the work of the volunteers.

MIJARC is an organisation of young people for young people with young people. The training organised by MIJARC accompanies the local initiatives of the rural youth like income generating projects in agriculture,  cooperatives or micro-enterprises. Through the reflection of the movement, the rural youth interests are represented within society and the Church. MIJARC is recognized by the Vatican, has consultative status in UNESCO, FAO, ILO, ECOSOC and collaborates with the Conference of ICOs, CIDSE/Caritas International and IPC, the International Planification Commitee.

MIJARC/IMCARY was founded in october 1954 in Annevoie, Belgium, by

the catholic rural youth movements of Germany, Austria, Belgium, Spain,

Netherlands, Italy and Luxemburg.

During the 50 ties MIJARC/IMCARY got official recognition of the Vatican, FAO, ILO and UNESCO.

 

The World Congress of MIJARC/IMCARY in Lourdes 1960 with theparticipation of 26500 rural youth was an important event especially interms of strengthening the relationship with rural youth movementsoutside of Europe which soon became member of MIJARC/IMCARY.

 

Since then MIJARC/IMCARY has strengthened it´s network all over theworld, is involved in advocacy and lobby activities in different UNorganisations and has positivly influenced the life of millions ofyoung people world wide.

Vision:

MIJARC wants to change the agricultural environmenton the basis of the Christian spirit for the creation of a new society, a new person and a rural world based on justice, peace anddurability, supporting a sustainable development and defending thehuman rights.

 

Objective:
As young people and actors, we contribute and promote the development of agricultural and rural areas all over the world.

 

 

 

Sustainable development:
- Justice between current and future generations
- Balance between economy, environment and social factors
- Justice and solidarity among the countries of the world
- Autonomy, self-sufficiency, sovereignty

 

Mission:

MIJARC is an actor in rural areas that helps young people to get organized and to become critical actors that transform their village, region and country. By means of “training in action” and the methodology “to see-judge-act”, young people are able to improve their living conditions and to generate incomes. Therefore, they see how rural areas can become attractive and viable for young people.