In the final year of implementation of the 2014–2018 JCI Strategic Plan, the organization and members around the world made significant progress in advancing toward our long-term goal. The 2018 Plan of Action mirrored that goal, which is for JCI members’ to take action to become the organization that unites all sectors of society, creating sustainable impact.

As a grassroots organization, members around the world continued to prove their dedication to advancing the Global Goals for Sustainable Development through local projects following the Active Citizen FrameworkTM. By showcasing the actions taken by young people, JCI’s story of impact was shared worldwide through social media and advocacy campaigns.

While continuing to spread a universal message of peace with the Peace is Possible campaign, JCI launched two more advocacy campaigns in 2018. Launched in January, the I Am Africa campaign gained 2335 social media followers and drove dialogue and action during the 2018 African Youth Development Summit held in Johannesburg, South Africa, held alongside the Global Citizen Festival Mandela 100.

Recognizing the power of a regionally focused campaign, the Step Up For Europe campaign was launched during the JCI European Know-How Transfer in October, encouraging young leaders to take part in the political decision-making processes at the local and regional level.

With a continued emphasis on collaborating with all sectors to achieve sustainable impact, JCI joined the 2018 World Cleanup Day in September. As a leading partner in the world’s largest civic action, JCI members and Local Organizations mapped trash throughout the year and led community cleanups in 40 countries. While members were busy taking action to achieve the goals set out in the 2014–2018 JCI Strategic Plan, a strategic planning committee worked on developing the next five-year plan that will guide the organization into the future, accelerating transformation toward achieving our long-term goals and advancing the Global Goals.

2018 JCI Plan of Action

Every five years, an appointed committee evaluates the past and present actions of the organization to plan for an impactful future. The strategic planning process for the 2019–2023 plan started in 2017 with strategic planning forums at international JCI Events and national conventions around the world. A worldwide survey was sent out to gather feedback on the implementation and success of the previous strategic plan, as well as gain insight into stakeholders’ visions for the future of the organization.

The 2017 JCI Board of Directors appointed a 12-member Strategic Planning Committee. The Committee met several times virtually, during the 2017 JCI World Congress in Amsterdam and in early 2018 for a strategic planning retreat at the JCI World Headquarters to finalize the draft plan. After a full year of brainstorming, discussing, interacting, reflecting and evaluating, the Committee drafted the 2019–2023 JCI Strategic Plan using feedback and research from stakeholders. The committee presented the draft plan at each international JCI Event and conducted workshops with JCI members and leaders in preparation for accelerated implementation. At the 2018 JCI World Congress in Goa, India the General Assembly adopted the 2019–2023 JCI Strategic Plan.

More than ever, JCI must adapt to the needs of young people and create momentum to remain relevant and impactful in our changing world. To be the organization that is home to young changemakers advocating for a better tomorrow in their communities and our world means every JCI stakeholder must align their actions with the five strategies outlined in the 2019–2023 JCI Strategic Plan: Impact, Motivate, Invest, Collaborate and Connect. Over the past 10 years, JCI has laid a strong foundation for youth-led community transformation. We know who we are as an organization and our methodology for creating change. Now, as the world speeds toward the future, JCI too must accelerate our own transformation so that we can be the organization that unites all sectors of society to create sustainable impact.