The Young Catholic Students Movement was founded by Father Lao Joseph Cardjin, a Belgian priest who later became a cardinal. He started this movement to help young workers to cater for the stress encountered at work. He helped them to learn to be able to put up with the challenges at work for better communication and progress. Cardjin held a strong notion that humans are created in the image of
God, and thus should live in dignity. However, the reality of society, where majority of people were living in de-humanized situations, was contradictory to this belief. He promoted organized people's movements, using the pedagogy of See - Judge - Act, to change this contradiction. Cardjin initially started International Young Christian Workers (IYCW) Movement in 1925, but later, students inspired by its impact, initiated the International Young Christian Students (IYCS), using a similar approach. Cardjin strongly believed that Workers are the best apostles amongst Workers and so the Students. The Young Catholic Students movement came into Nigeria in 1959 with the help of Miss Freda O' Mahoney (now Mrs. Ogunade) who brought it into Nigeria with the help of Most Rev Dr. Edmund Fitzgibbon (SMA). Since then, it has always worked in both secondary and tertiary institutions. OUR MISSION
To form active Christian leaders who are transforming the world around them. The YCS movement is committed to:
Empowering and challenging students to take responsibility in their own lives and their communities. Enabling students to develop a relationship with God through discovering the relevance of the Gospels in their everyday lives. Giving students the opportunity to develop the leadership skills they need to make a difference in their world, and build the Kingdom of God here on earth. OUR VISION
To evolve a new society, where people live in harmony where there is total freedom for the complete growth of the individual. Where each and every person is respected in dignity, hence valuing peace, love, truth, justice and equality. OUR OBJECTIVE
Change Self- Change Others- This means
To enable personal growth of students and teenagers, promoting and strengthening their faith and commitment to the society
To enable the students to have a better understanding of religion and to have a personal experience of God in their lives. To create awareness and enable the young people to participate in the life of the society as a liberating force.
