What is the International Catholic Conference of Scouting?
The aim of the ICCS is to contribute to the comprehensive education of young people through Scouting from the point of view of the Catholic faith:
By developing and strengthening the spiritual dimension of Scouting, in friendly cooperation with the religions represented within Scouting, within the unity and diversity of the World Scout Movement.
By ensuring the active presence of Catholic Scouts within the Church, both within Catholic associations and “open” associations.
By guaranteeing communication between the Catholic Church and the World Scout Movement.
A Place to Connect and Grow
The ICCS creates a space where members can come together, share ideas, and engage in meaningful dialogue. We foster an open, friendly, and international environment that encourages the exchange of perspectives and promotes a sense of community. Beyond dialogue, the ICCS unites young people and leaders from Catholic movements and committees around the world, building lasting connections through shared actions and gatherings. At its heart, the ICCS is dedicated to promoting brotherhood, mutual understanding, and collaboration among Catholic Scouts worldwide. As outlined in Article 1 of its Statutes, the ICCS aims to “develop an educational process that enhances the personal spiritual dimension of young Catholics, in line with the aims, principles, and methods of the Scout movement.”
A Place for Dialogue
The ICCS, wherever there are Catholic associations or groups, strives to foster dialogue and collaboration with other religions and faiths present within the global Scouting community. We aim to create opportunities for mutual understanding and cooperation, promoting peace and shared values across diverse faiths within Scouting.
A representative organisation
The ICCS is the representative organisation which ensures the institutional link between the World Organisation of Scout Movements (WOSM) and the Catholic Church. It ensures, at all levels, positive and open interactions between the Scout Movement and the various bodies of the Catholic Church.
The ICCS has been given the mission by the Catholic Church of taking care of the Catholic Scouts within the Scout Movement, and of developing amicable links with the Scouts from other religions.
In that respect, it acts from a Catholic point of view to develop and enrich the spiritual dimension of Scouting, while respecting the unity and diversity of the World Scout Movement. It is at the service of the whole Scout Movement.
The ICCS promotes the active participation of Catholic Scouts in all of the Church’s mission in all the communities where Catholic Scouting is present (parishes, schools, dioceses, episcopal conferences…). It deals with the training of spiritual counsellors and responds to the requests of its members.
The ICCS works in close partnership with the ICCG (International Catholic Conference of Guiding) which brings together the Catholic associations within Guiding.
A Place for Training and Information
The ICCS enables the Catholic Scout Associations and the Catholic Committees within open associations to reinforce and deepen their educational project, especially in its spiritual dimension.
It provides training and information through workshops and seminars, publications and documents which deal with the spiritual dimension of Scout education.
How Does the ICCS Work ?
The ICCS is made up of a World Council and a World Committee.
The World Council is the governing body of the ICCS. Every three years, it brings together the delegates from its member organisations. It decides on the actions that need taking and on the new members. The World Council elects four members for three years. These four members have the roles of Chairperson, vice-chair, secretary and treasurer. The World Committee is made up of the four elected members, of the presidents of the regional committees and of the World Chaplain. The World Chaplain is named by the president following a proposal from the World Committee and confirmation by the Vatican. The World Committee is the executive body of the ICCS.