History JCI Belgium
110 Years of History video
1915: "The Young Men's Progressive Civic Association" (USA)
The history of JCI dates back to 1915 when American Henry Giessenbier founded the organisation “The Young Men’s Progressive Civic Association” in St. Louis, Missouri, USA. In the years that followed, a close collaboration was established with the local Chamber of Commerce in St. Louis, which led to the name being changed to “Junior Chamber of Commerce” in 1918.
After that, more and more local chapters were set up, both in the USA and abroad. Because of the international nature of the association at the time, the name was changed to “Junior Chamber International” at an international meeting in Mexico in 1944.
1936: first steps towards "JCI Belgium"
The first steps towards the origin of JCI Belgium were set on September 1st, 1936. At that time a Junior Section was set up in the Brussels Chamber of Commerce & Industry, when young men and women decided to meet, and to establish a business network. This original chapter was the first to be created on the European continent.
When young men and women from North –and Central America, decided to meet at the end of the 2nd World War, an organization was founded, where an international country as Belgium would participate as soon as possible.
1947: start of "JCI Belgium" (World Congress Texas)
JCI Belgium was officially founded during the second world congress in Dallas, Texas, in February 1947, making it the longest standing affiliated European member of JCI. At the third World Congress in Rio de Janeiro in 1948, Gilbert Mabille was elected as an “Executive Member” in the Board of Directors. He played a key role in the preparations for the fourthWorld Congress to be held in April 1949 (Brussels), the first congress outside America and also the first in Europe.
During this World Congress, the Jaycee Song was selected and the constitution was rewritten because the original document had been lost.
The International Affairs Committee determined that one of the biggest obstacles to free trade was the lack of uniform passport and visa regulations. JCI should work through the United Nations to standardise these regulations.
After this Congress a delegate commented as follows:
“I came away from Brussels with the feeling that JCI is worth the time and effort that will be necessary to make it a strong organization. It is an attempt to weld together the young men of many nations into an organization which, conceivably, could lead the way to the mutual understanding that is so essential if we are to have a peaceful world. It is my earnest hope that we will succeed. It is not much of a sacrifice if each club helps with a few dollars to defray expenses, especially when the return one day might be of far greater value to our future generations than the original investment ever could be to us.”
At this same Congress in Brussels, Belgian Theo STAAR was elected as JCI World President for 1949-1950.
During the 5th World Congress held in Manila (Philippines) in March 1950, the concern of expanding communism in several areas of the world, worried members that wanted to preserve world peace. This concern dominates the resolutions passed at this World Congress.
President Theo STAAR worded it as follows:
“The economic ills of many countries, which are providing breeding grounds for communism, are world responsibilities. We must realize that between the nations of the world, there must be e freer interchange of goods. No nation, however self sufficient, can stand aloof either as a buyer or a seller of goods. It is a clear and urgent change laid on nations which have achieved high standards of industrialization, to assist those not so fortunately placed. ‘The brotherhood of men transcends the sovereignty of nations’ should be JCI’s guideline in its efforts toward the preservation of peace.”
A resolution was passed prohibiting the use of atomic and hydrogen bombs. The diversification of activities was also encouraged, with projects of direct value to the community.
Most of the JCI’s development dealt with means of promoting trade and preserving peace. If trades were less restrictive and tariffs lifted peace would be less difficult to maintain. A unanimous vote was recorded for a resolution outlawing the use of atomic and hydrogen bombs as instruments of destruction. This would be best achieved through connections at the United Nations. Also emphasis was given to diversify activities from more strictly economic concerns to include a wide range of projects of more immediate and direct value to the community as a whole
1950-1970: Major role within JCI Europe
Anyway, at that time, Belgium was the stronghold for JCI in Europe. It was in Belgium, together with Germany, that lady members were admitted, a subject that created much discussion at the following 6th World Congress in Montreal (Canada). Female membership was admitted but they would not be eligible for international office. During the following years Belgian JCI-VP’s Francis VAN DER VLIET (with Robert ZIEGLER), Paul MOUREAU, and Arthur ZIEGLER were in charge of the extension of JCI Europe. JCI Belgium continued to be active and organized the JCI Conference in Brussels in 1958, the year of the successful World Exhibition in Belgium. A further JCI Conference was organized in Brussels in 1970.
In 1968 JCI Belgium sent a large delegation to the JCI Conference in Monaco. The delegation was joined by Belgian Paul-Henri SPAAK, one of the seven founding fathers of the European Union. The delegation pleaded successfully to start up “Project Europe” in JCI Europe to improve and implement knowledge about the European Union and built friendship and understanding in Europe. Belgian Michel DONCK was elected as the first “Mister Europe” within JCI Europe.
During the 70’s Belgian members were successful bringing new ideas within JCI:
- Being part of the LRPC 1974 that introduced the “Declaration of Principles” and the “Main Emphasis Theme”
- Installing a reserve fund that later became the JCI Foundation
- Printing of JCI World in Belgium and air mail to the members
- Achieving the goal of 500.000 members
- Introducing professional training courses with JCI The Netherlands
- Introducing “Management by Objectives” for the membership services based on a “Mission”
1972: Staines tragedy
In 1972, returning from the successful JCI Conference in Edinburgh the plane, that carried a large part of the Belgian delegation, crashed near Heathrow Airport in London. It caused the death of almost the whole Executive Board of JCI Belgium. This committee had already started to extend JCI Belgium which resulted, in five years, to an increase in local organizations and an important increase in membership, from 900 members up to 2.000 members. The successes obtained in JCI Belgium and the strong commitment to JCI during the 70’s have to be attributed to those who lead the way and may rightfully claim having been at the origins of this expansion.
After this cruel accident, the “JCI Staines Foundation” was created, with the help of a number of National Organizations and Local organizations. Every year at the convention of JCI Belgium, the President of JCI London hands over the “Staines Memorial award” to a member that best achieved international recognition and esteem for JCI Belgium, promoting international cooperation and friendship. The Staines Foundation today insures all members of JCI Belgium for accidents occurring when traveling for JCI Belgium.
1977: foundation of JCI Senate Belgium
In 1977, JCI Senate Belgium, although active since 1966, was created as a different legal entity within the JCI Belgium family. JCI Senate Belgium has since been continuously supporting and subsidizing the efforts of JCI Belgium by funds made available by its senator members.
JCI Belgium later has also invited their fellow members at JCI Area Conferences in Antwerp (1978) “Free enterprise for a better future through a better understanding”, Liege (1987) “Communication: instrument of the second Renaissance” and Ostend (2000) “Expand your boundaries”.
JCI Belgium members Gerrit LOVINK and Reginald SCHAUMANS were involved in the 80’s to set up JCI training programs for the training of Trainers with the packages TROT, Prime and Excel. A number of Belgium JCI trainers have achieved the highest recognition within the JCI Training Certification. As most Belgians trainers master different languages, JCI Belgium has been very often asked to run programs in Africa, Asia, The Americas and Europe. They were often at the origin of creating and inspiring new National and Local Organizations.
1991: Belgian Reginald Schaumans elected as JCI World President
At the 45th World Congress in Puerto Rico in 1990, Belgian Reginald Schaumans († 2018) from JCI Brussel was elected as JCI World President for 1991. President Reginald SCHAUMANS had as his motto for the year 1991 “You make the difference”.
Members who have trust in their capabilities can inspire the future of their communities. In the years that followed, many Belgians contributed to the JCI Foundation and represented it in various NGOs.
For the membership, to be able to play a more important role in the economic development of their communities, the “Junior Chamber International Business Network”’ was created. World President Reginald SCHAUMANS chaired “The international Model United Nations” in the General Assembly Hall of the United Nations in New York held by JCI. The declaration of Global Citizenship was signed by delegates of over 90 countries.
In his opening speech of the 1991 Helsinki World Congress (theme “Accept the challenges of a new world”) Reginald stated:
“In the face of changing interrelation among the nations of the world, we will have to meet many challenges in the decades ahead. No longer can we solely depend on our nation-states to decide for individuals the direction for the future, nor can we ignore the messages being sent to us by our global home, Planet Earth.” It is necessary for all citizens of the world to take responsibility as the stewards and trustees of our existence. It is up to us, as citizens of the world, to make a difference in the areas of the environment, economic development and the future of our children. Junior Chamber, going back to its Declaration of Principles and its Creed, confirms its belief that the individual is the key of the future. The individual, with his very own uniqueness, skills and creativity, language, religion and traditions, who shares the same rights but who accepts the same responsibilities she or he has towards his neighbors, community, the world. The individual will make the difference.”
It has to be noted that because of the start of the first Iraq War, Reginald SCHAUMANS was one of the few international individuals that did not hesitate to travel by airline around the world to serve the membership. During the following years many Belgians were involved with the JCI Foundation, and represented JCI in different NGO’s and organizations to build up cooperation in favor of JCI activities.
1997: JCI Belgium receives "High Patronage" (King Albert II)
In 1997, JCI Belgium was granted the status of High Patronage by King Albert II.
Ever since 1993 different members served in the capacity of international Vice-President, contributing to the development of JCI especially in Africa and Europe. Most of them received the prestigious Award as “Best Vice-President of the year”. In 2009 JCI Belgium, through its regional organization JCI Flanders, offered a new award to the international organization: the “JCI Creative Young Entrepreneur Award”, sponsored by Flanders District of Creativity.
2011: 66th World Congress in Brussels
In 2008, JCI Belgium decided to submit a bid to host the JCI World Congress, which resulted in the organisation of the 66th World Congress in Brussels in 2011, with 4,550 participants from 101 countries. In JCI history, it was the third time, a World Congress was organized in Belgium.
This congress promoted international friendships and mutual understanding, in the spirit of the founders of JCI. JCI Belgium had by far the largest number of participants of all national JCI organisation at that time.
The 66th JCI Congress, held in Brussels, brought together 4.550 members coming out of 101 JCI Member Organizations. The central meeting point, at the same time lunch place and JCI Village, gave an original approach to communication, and allowed many participants to foster friendships and understanding, in the spirit of our founders as written down in the “Preamble” to the JCI Constitution. JCI Belgium had, by far, the largest number of participants of any JCI National Organization.
2025: Full rebranding of JCI logo by Belgian agency Pavlov
In November 2025 during the World Congress in Tunis, Tunisia, the Belgian branding agency Pavlov was entrusted with one of its most ambitious projects to date: leading the full rebranding of JCI (Junior Chamber International), an organization that is home to more than 200.000 young members worldwide. Pavlov is founded by a JCI Belgium member Stef Verbeeck (senator at JCI Lier) and his brother Michael Verbeeck (senator at JCI Leuven).
The challenge was clear: respect the organization’s long-standing legacy while giving it a modern, future-proof expression. After extensive research and member involvement, they landed on a renewed focus on the recognizable JCI “shield”, combined with a ripple effect that symbolizes member engagement and impact on their communities. Read all about it in their case story.
JCI International Elected officers
| 1948-1949 | Gilbert MABILLE | Executive Member JCI | ||
| 1949-1950 | Francis VAN DER VLIET | VP-JCI | ||
| 1949-1950 | Theo STAAR | President JCI | ||
| 1950-1951 | Theo STAAR | IPP-JCI | ||
| 1950-1951 | Paul MOUREAU | VP-JCI | ||
| 1951-1952 | Arthur ZIEGLER | VP-JCI | ||
| 1952-1953 | Arthur ZIEGLER | VP-JCI | ||
| 1954 | Robert GOLDBERG | Director JCI | ||
| 1959 | Jean-Claude TUNON | VP-JCI | ||
| 1960 | Jean-Claude TUNON | VP-JCI | ||
| 1966 | Roger VAN BOXEL | VP-JCI | ||
| 1971 | Roger GODIN | VP-JCI | ||
| 1972 | Jan CHRISTIAENS | VP-JCI / Deputy President 1974 LRPC-JCI | ||
| 1974 | Marc VANDERSMISSEN | VP-JCI | ||
| 1975 | Marc VANDERSMISSEN | EVP-JCI | ||
| 1976 | Gerrit LOVINK | VP-JCI | ||
| 1977 | Gerrit LOVINK | EVP-JCI | ||
| 1980 | Marc DE BOLLE | VP-JCI | ||
| 1981 | Marc DE BOLLE | EVP-JCI | ||
| 1986 | Patrick CLAEYS | VP-JCI | ||
| 1987 | Marc BEYERS | VP-JCI | ||
| 1988 | Marc BEYERS | EVP-JCI | ||
| 1989 | Reginald SCHAUMANS | VP-JCI | ||
| 1990 | Reginald SCHAUMANS | EVP-JCI | ||
| 1991 | Reginald SCHAUMANS | President JCI | ||
| 1992 | Reginald SCHAUMANS | IPP-JCI | ||
| 1995 | Jean-Paul MICHEL | VP-JCI | ||
| 1999 | Alain BORGUET | VP-JCI | ||
| 2000 | Michel CUYPERS | VP-JCI | ||
| 2003 | Laurence POLEUNIS | VP-JCI | ||
| 2007 | Steven VANDEPUT | VP-JCI | ||
| 2008 | Dominiek CALLEWIER | VP-JCI | ||
| 2010 | Serge GOUSSAERT | VP-JCI | ||
JCI Appointed Officers
| 1954 | Robert Goldberg | Director International Affairs | ||
| 1960 | Jean-Claude TUNON | Long Range Planning Committee | ||
| 1961 | Jean-Claude TUNON | Commission Director Community Service | ||
| 1972 | Michel CESAR | JCI Development Officer | ||
| 1974 | Jan CHRISTIAENS | Deputy Chairman Long Range Planning Committee | ||
| 1975 | Gerrit LOVINK | Presidency African European Presidents Meeting | ||
| 1977 | Gerrit LOVINK | Chairman Meeting JCEPF | ||
| 1979 | Gerrit LOVINK | Secretariat Review Committee | ||
| 1981 | Marc DE BOLLE | Representative European Union | ||
| 1982 | Marc DE BOLLE | Chairman Main Emphasis Theme | ||
| 1982 | Roland PATTEEUW | Representative European Union and Council of Europe | ||
| 1983 | Marc DE BOLLE | Chairman Main Emphasis Theme | ||
| 1983 | Ludy MICHIELS | Chairman European Presidents Meeting | ||
| 1985 | Jean-Luc DEWEZ | Representative European Union and Council of Europe | ||
| 1985 | Marc DE BOLLE | Assistant for Extension | ||
| 1985 | Marc MELEN | European Long Range Planning Committee | ||
| 1986 | Marc MELEN | Representative European Union | ||
| 1986 | Jean-Luc DEWEZ | Representative European Union and Council of Europe | ||
| 1986 | Piet MASSANT | Representative to the Council of Europe | ||
| 1987 | Marc MELEN | Representative European Union and Council of Europe | ||
| 1987 | Patrick CLAEYS | Executive Assistant for Marketing | ||
| 1988 | Jean-Pierre VERBRUGGEN | Twinning Coordinator Europe | ||
| 1988 | Reginald SCHAUMANS | Special Assistant for Development and Growth in Europe | ||
| 1989 | Jean-Pierre VERBRUGGEN | Twinning Coordinator Europe | ||
| 1989 | Pascal VALETTE | Program Coordinator Europe | ||
| 1990 | Rudy DUPONT | Presidency European Presidents Meeting | ||
| 1990 | Jean-Paul BISSEN | Representative for the International Chamber of Commerce | ||
| 1991 | Herman DUPREZ | Representative to the European Union | ||
| 1991 | Rudy DUPONT | President East-European Development Team | ||
| 1992 | Eddy VAN GOETHEM | Representative to Care and AIESEC | ||
| 1993 | Alain BORGUET | Representative to Care and AIESEC | ||
| 1994 | Freddy VAN HOOREBEECK | Representative to Care and AIESEC | ||
| 1995 | Patricia ADRIAENS | Representative to Care and AIESEC | ||
| 1996 | Jean-Paul MICHEL | Representative to the European Union | ||
| 1996 | Theo DE BEIR | Representative to Care and AIESEC | ||
| 1997 | Bernard BOONE | Representative to Care and AIESEC | ||
| 1998 | Karin EYKENS | Representative to the International Chamber of Commerce | ||
| 1998 | Michel CUYPERS | Representative to Care and AIESEC | ||
| 1998 | Philippe ROSVELDS | Sponsoring Assistance for Area D | ||
| 1998 | Theo DE BEIR | Presidency JCI Europe | ||
| 1999 | Axel KITTEL | Representative to Care and AIESEC | ||
| 1999 | Karin EYKENS | Representative to the International Chamber of Commerce | ||
| 2000 | Karin EYKENS | Representative to the International Chamber of Commerce | ||
| 2000 | Laurence POLEUNIS | Representative to Care and AIESEC | ||
| 2000 | Michel HEUVELMANS | Presidency JCI Europe | ||
| 2002 | Emmy HENDRICKX | Special Assistant for Sponsorship and Finance | ||
| 2002 | Laurence POLEUNIS | Executive Assistant to the President | ||
| 2003 | Dimitri VERHOYE | Representative to Eurochambers | ||
| 2004 | Steven VANDEPUT | Area D JCI University | ||
| 2004 | Dimitri VERHOYE | Representative to Eurochambers | ||
| 2004 | Karel DIERICK | Board member JCI Foundation | ||
| 2006 | Dimitri VERHOYE | Representative to Eurochambers | ||
| 2006 | Dominiek CALLEWIER | Chairman Business Commission | ||
| 2006 | Katia VAN BELLE | University Coordination Europe | ||
| 2007 | Dominiek CALLEWIER | Representative to Eurochambers | ||
| 2007 | Kris SIERENS | Member Business Commission | ||
| 2008 | Stefaan ROGGE | Appointee Business Commission | ||
| 2008 | Andries BUSSCHAERT | Appointee Eurochambers | ||
| 2009 | Dominiek CALLEWIER | Special Assistant for Sponsorship Europe | ||
| 2010 | An DEVENTER | Member European Development Council | ||
| 2010 | Christophe COOL | Corporate Social Responsibility Officer | ||
| 2011 | Serge GOUSSAERT | World Congress Director | ||
| 2011 | An DEVENTER | Growth and Development Commissioner for Europe | ||
| 2011 | Dave SYNAEVE | JCI Training Commissioner | ||
| 2012 | An DEVENTER | Growth and Development Commissioner for Europe | ||
| 2013 | Serge GOUSSAERT | JCI Training Commissioner | ||
Area Conferences (Belgium)
| 1958 | Area Conference in Brussels | |||
| 1970 | Area Conference in Brussels | |||
| 1978 | Area Conference in Antwerp | |||
| 1987 | Area Conference in Liege | |||
| 2000 | Area Conference in Oostende | |||
| 2022 | Area Conference in Bruges | |||
World Congresses (Belgium)
| 1949 | 4th World Congress (Brussels) | |||
| 2011 | 66th World Congress (Brussels) | |||
JCI Awards
National Organization
| 1955 | JCI Belgium | Award Membership Growth | ||
| 1968 | JCI Belgium | Award Best program Economic Affairs | ||
| 1973 | JCI Belgium | Award Best National Organization | ||
| 1987 | JCI Belgium | Award Best Cooperation between two National Organizations | ||
| 1997 | JCI Belgium | Award Training | ||
| 2010 | JCI Belgium/Vlaanderen | Best Individual Development Program | ||
Local Organization
| 1947 | JCI Nivelles | Award Best Community Development Program | ||
| 1975 | JCI Antwerpen | Award International Affairs | ||
| 1975 | JCI Lier | Award Best Project Lifting of intolerance | ||
| 1978 | JCI Antwerpen ter Schelde | Award for Best Fundraising | ||
| 1979 | JCI Waregem | Award Best Cultural Project | ||
| 1980 | JCI Hasselt | Award Best new Chapter of the World | ||
| 1981 | JCI Knokke-Heist | Award for Best Cultural Project | ||
| 1981 | JCI Gent Artevelde | Award for Best Audio-Visual Presentation | ||
| 1982 | JCI Liège | Award for Best Cooperation between two Local Organizations | ||
| 1983 | JCI Mechelen | Award for Best Audio-Visual Presentation | ||
| 1983 | JCI Liège | Award for Best Cooperation between two local Organizations | ||
| 1985 | JCI Liège | Award for Best Audio-Visual Presentation | ||
| 1985 | JCI Hasselt | Award for Best Public Relations | ||
| 1986 | JCI Antwerpen | Award for Best Cooperation between two local Organizations | ||
| 1987 | JCI Oudenaarde | Award for Best program related to JCI Main Emphasis Theme | ||
| 1989 | JCI Brugge | Award for Best National Convention of the Year | ||
| 1990 | JCI Basse-Meuse | Award for Best program related to JCI Main Emphasis Theme | ||
| 1990 | JCI Antwerpen Linkeroever | Award for Best Audio-Visual Presentation | ||
| 1990 | JCI Hasselt | Award for International Affairs | ||
| 1994 | JCI Verviers | Award for Best Business Development Program | ||
| 1998 | JCI Hasselt | Award Best Program Economic Affairs | ||
| 2001 | JCI Brussel | Award for Best Public Relations | ||
| 2001 | JCI Pays de Herve | Award for Best Training Program | ||
| 2005 | JCI Mons | Award for Best Community Development Program | ||
| 2007 | JCI The Heart of Europe | Award for the Best New Chapter of the World | ||
| 2007 | JCI Antwerpen | Award for the Best Recruitment Program | ||
| 2008 | JCI Antwerpen | Award for the Best Chapter of the Area | ||
Individual Members
| 1968 | Jean-Paul Hirsch | Award for Exceptional Services | ||
| 1978 | Gerrit Lovink | Award Best Current Member of the Year | ||
| 1980 | Jos Steegmans | Award Best Local President | ||
| 1982 | Roland Patteeuw | Presidential Award Implementing JCI Main Emphasis Theme | ||
| 1982 | Marc De Bolle | Presidential Award as JCI Assistant | ||
| 1983 | Jo De Voldere | Presidential Award Implementing JCI Main Emphasis Theme | ||
| 1986 | Patrick Claeys | Presidential Award as one of the Best JCI Vice-Presidents | ||
| 1986 | Theo Piepers | Presidential Award Implementing JCI Main Emphasis Theme | ||
| 1987 | Reginald Schaumans | Award Best National President | ||
| 1989 | Reginald Schaumans | Presidential Award Best JCI Vice-President | ||
| 1988 | Marc Beyers | Presidential Award Best JCI Executive Vice-President | ||
| 1995 | Claude Schepens | Award Best National President | ||
| 1997 | Theo De Beir | Award Best National President | ||
| 1999 | Alain Borguet | Presidential Award Best JCI Vice-President | ||
| 2003 | Pepijn Raymaekers | Award for Best First Timer | ||
| 2003 | Poleunis Laurence | Presidential Award Best JCI Vice-President | ||
| 2005 | Vernaillen Hilde | Award Best NOM President | ||
