Founded in 1963 by Mrs Marie Louise Monnet, sister of Jean Monnet, MIAMSI is rooted in the tradition of Catholic Action for Special Needs and its pedagogy of ‘life review’: bringing one’s actions into line with the values of the Evangelical Gospel, humanist values in which the dignity of the individual is at the centre. It brings together movements made up of people with professional, economic, social, political and cultural responsibilities, who work to transform mindsets and structures in society according to the values of the Gospel and to make the Church present in the community of nations.

The priorities of its members are the promotion and protection of human dignity and rights, the promotion of peace, solidarity and justice, a way of relaying the word of God announced by Jesus Christ. The Movement’s teaching method, based on meditation on Scripture to ensure the link between faith and life, takes concrete form in the ‘see, discern, act’ method applied to annual themes for reflection and action in the various countries.

MIAMSI’s bodies are the General Assembly, made up of delegates from the member movements, which meets every four years and has apostolic and administrative functions; the International Board, elected by the General Assembly and consisting of the International President, Vice-Presidents for Africa, Latin America, Asia and the Indian Ocean, a Secretary, a Treasurer and the Ecclesiastical Assistant. The staff also includes delegates to the UN (Geneva), UNESCO (Paris) and the Council of Europe (Strasbourg).

Participatory status in 2003 / Consultative status in 1998

Geographic representation (in Europe) : Germany – Belgium – France – Italy – Luxembourg – Malta – Portugal – Switzerland

Accreditations: Council of Europe, UN (Genève), UNESCO (Paris), l’ECOSOC (participatory status), founding member of the World Forum of Catholic-inspired NGOs

Hear of our commitment:

• Inter-religious and inter-faith dialogue
• Social justice
• Education
• Migration
• Human rights