Our Movement
Our structure
Service Civil International is considered a movement of different peoples and bodies,and therefore consists of several groups all working together to create a culture of peace. Our highest decision making body is the International Committee Meeting (ICM), our general assembly, consisting of delegates from our branches, who decide on the path of SCI. We also have our:
Branches and Groups
SCI consists of 42 branches and groups all over the world. Branches are full member of SCI and have a voting right at ICM. Groups are organisations who can observe at ICM and are working towards full membership. Branches and Groups work independently in their own country on the exchange of volunteers and coordination of projects, working towards SCI’s mission of a culture of peace. This decentralised way of working makes close cooperation and consultation with local communities stronger.
Partners
SCI cooperates with partner organisations all over the world. Partner organisations are independent but like-minded organisations that also run international voluntary projects. SCI branches and partners cooperate in many ways, but mainly through volunteer exchanges and projects. Partner organisations can also actively participate in international working groups, or cooperate with other partners and branches in organising a campaign on a specific theme. They are however not full members of SCI.
* ICM: International Committee Meeting
* IS: International Secretariat
* IEC: International Executive Committee
* IIC: International Insurance Commission
* FACT: Financial Advice and Consultancy Team
Working Groups
Working groups are integral parts of SCI’s structure as they are responsible for dealing with technical aspects and the promotion, facilitation and evaluation of volunteer exchanges between SCI Branches/Groups and Partners, as well as working on the quality of projects through focusing on specific thematic areas, such as sustainability, gender and inclusion. New partners will first work with working groups before being introduced to the movement.
International Executive Committee (IEC)
The IEC is the international board of SCI, responsible for its management and making sure that any decision agreed upon by ICM is accomplished. They are the responsibility and duty to make decision between ICM’s, as well as monitoring SCI’s progress in it’s strategic plan. The IEC is also responsible for overseeing the international budget.
International Secretariat (IS)
The operative part of the SCI’s international coordination is guaranteed by the International Secretariat, an office of staff and volunteers based in Antwerp (Belgium). The IS supports the movement in its strategic goals, builds on achieved results and amplifies its impact. The staff and volunteers support with daily management and provides different manners of support for both the international movement and individual branches. The International Coordinator (Chantal Doran) is the head of the office and an ex-officio member of the IEC.
And of course…our volunteers!
Volunteers are the core of SCI. Many activities are organised by volunteers, either for volunteers or for the public. To SCI volunteering is not only a method to achieve solidarity and promote a culture of peace, but it is a value in itself. Volunteering means to ‘act out of self-initiative for the benefit of society, without seeking material reward for your actions’. For SCI volunteering is a powerful tool for personal and social transformation: people gain self-confidence and skills, establish long lasting friendships and at the same time contribute to positive change in society.
SCI encourages and supports the involvement of interested volunteers and stimulates them to express and realise their own ideas. Therefore each volunteer is an essential building block of the organisation and of the wider peace movement as a whole. Every volunteer is a unique person and it is this diversity that makes SCI a very dynamic and creative organisation.
Who are the IEC?
International President
Malgorzata (Gośka) Tur
International Vice-President
Jackie Purves
International Treasurer
Alexandra Vasileiou
All the members
Bhupender Yadav, Hemamali Perera, Parag Sharifuzzaman, Chantal Doran (ex-officio).
Who are the IS?
The International Coordinator takes care of planning and monitoring the developments of Plan of Actions, and makes sure that the priorities and needs set at ICM are incorporated in SCI’s actions. She represents the organisation externally in various events.
The Communication and Volunteer Coordinator oversees all of SCI International’s internal and external communication activities and coordinates the long-term volunteers at the International Secretariat.
The Project Officer takes care of projects and project funding within the International Secretariat, and makes sure that the goals of the organisation are pursued and attained through concrete activities.
The Finance and Administration Officer is in charge of international bookkeeping, accounting and insurances.
Esther, from Spain, joins us as communication volunteer. With a degree in journalism and international experience, Esther supports the internal and external communication with a specific focus on our 100 year celebration.
Genti is a volunteer from GAIA Kosovo; he studied Marketing Management and is mainly responsible for the 2020 celebrations campaign, making sure that activities focused on our 100th year celebrations run smoothly.
Maxime is the tech volunteer of SCI International Secretariat; from France, he studied computer science and is working with the Tech Coordinator to support the office with the websites and develop the tech aspects of our online learning course project.
Hannah is the project volunteer of SCI International Secretariat; from the UK, she studied international development and is working with the Project Officer to support the implementation of the “Peace in Practice” project, specifically to help develop its main output: an online course on peace education.
