Service Civil International (SCI) is one of the world's largest international volunteering organisations committed to the promotion of peace and understanding through voluntary activities. Service Civil International (SCI) was established in 1920 at the inspiration of the famous Swiss pacifist Pierre Ceresole. Ceresole organised the first workcamp in Verdun, France. In 1920, volunteers from Germany, Switzerland, Great Britain and Hungary worked side by side to rebuild a village destroyed during the First World War, fostering grassroots reconciliation between the former enemies. Today, there are branches, groups and partner organisations in over 60 countries worldwide. In 1987, The United Nations awarded SCI the title of "Messenger of Peace" in recognition of its work in furthering peace and international understanding
Internationally, SCI has consultative status with UNESCO and the Council of Europe, is a member of the Co-ordinating Committee for International Voluntary Service and the Youth Forum of the European Community. Today SCI has 60 branches and groups in Asia, Australia, Europe and the United States and approximately 10,000 active members and volunteers. SCI also works with partner organisations to exchange volunteers in countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America.
Service Civil International (SCI) is a volunteer organisation dedicated to promoting a culture of peace by organizing international voluntary projects for people of all ages and backgrounds. These activities consist primarily of 2 - 3 week long international volunteer projects involving volunteers from all over the world. These projects range from working with marginalised people to ecological, arts and cultural projects, amongst others.
A workcamp is a place where people of diverse race, ideology, nationality, and age live together while working on a community project anywhere in the world. The workcamps are initiated and organised by community groups and are designed to be of tangible benefit to the local community. They enhance local initiatives and do not replace paid labour. Workcamps usually take between 8 and 20 international participants who work and socialise with the local community. Projects take place all year round but in Europe most occur during the Northern hemisphere summer. |
