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The
Establishment of a Permanent World Peace
The
dream and purpose of Junior Chamber are most clearly expressed in the words
of founder Henry "Hy" Giessenbier who said:
"From
within the walls of the soul of this organization,
wherein the
foundation of character and citizenship are laid,
I hope a message
will come forth in the sometime of tomorrow
that will
stir the people toward the establishment of
a permanent
and everlasting world peace."
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Giessenbier
had the foresight to believe that character and citizenship
could contribute toward a permanent world peace. His dream and purpose
for Junior Chamber were to offer the membership opportunities that would
build strong, positive characters and a sense of citizenship, not only
for communities, cities and countries, but for the world. |
The
purpose of Junior Chamber, inspired by the Declaration of Principles, is:
"To contribute
to the advancement of the global community
by providing
the opportunity for young people to develop the
leadership
skills, social responsibility, entrepreneurship and fellowship
necessary
to create positive change."
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The
organization operates on the premise that the development of individual
character and personality will result in communities that are better developed
and, eventually, in a more peaceful world.
Most
educational institutions focus on the passing of an examination and the
amassing of degrees rather than the development of personalities. It is
said the purpose of education is to prepare the individual for "life,"
not just to be able to perform a job.
Life
is much more than just doing a job. Life is caring, sharing, loving, understanding
and communicating. Junior Chamber strives to complete any lack in the development
of its individual members. |
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Chamber is a people organization. People resort to violence when communication,
understanding, patience, tolerance, reason and love cease to exist. Junior
Chamber's plan is to offer opportunities to the members that will reinforce
these positive qualities.
The
idea is to bring people together. Many opportunities are created when people
with various social, cultural, ethnic, religious, economic, and national
backgrounds meet. At national conventions, Area conferences and world congresses,
members come face-to-face with one another to share experiences and exchange
ideas which lead to better understanding and cooperation.
A bond
of brotherhood and genuine friendship is established as Junior Chamber
members seek the ways and means to improve themselves and the world in
which they live.
The
purpose of Junior Chamber is to show the rest of the world:
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That
all human beings can be developed. |
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That
all are equal. |
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That
the world is interdependent. |
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That
the world does not belong to humans, but that humans belong to the world. |
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That
every human being is a citizen of the world. |
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JUNIOR
CHAMBER INTERNATIONAL
Creed
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| We believe... |
That faith in God gives meaning and purpose to human life;
That the brotherhood of man transcends the sovereignty of nations;
That economic justice can best be won by free men through free
enterprise;
That government should be of laws rather than of men;
That earth's great treasure lies in human personality;
And that service to humanity is the best work of life. |
KEPERCAYAAN
JUNIOR CHAMBER INTERNATIONAL
(Malay
Language)
| Kami Akui... |
Bahawa kepercayaan kepada Tuhan memberikan pengertian dan tujuan
dalam hidup;
Bahawa persaudaraan di antara manusia mengatasi kedaulatan semua
negara;
Bahawa keadilan ekonomi boleh dicapai hanya oleh manusia bebas
menerusi perusahaan bebas;
Bahawa kerajaan hendaklah berdasarkan kepada undang-undang dan
tidak keperibadian manusia;
Bahawa kekayaan dunia ini terletak di dalam keperibadian manusia;
Bahawa berkhidmat kepada masyarakat manusia adalah amat yang
terbaik dalam hidup. |
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year was 1946; the place, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S.A.; the event, the
United States Junior Chamber National Convention. Visitors came from Canada,
Mexico, South America, Europe and the Philippine Islands. It was here that
the idea of a JCI Creed was born.
Past
President of the Ohio Junior Chamber and National Vice President of the
United States Junior Chamber C. William Brownfield realized at this
convention that the organization did not have a Creed. He was inspired
by the devotion of Junior Chamber members "to the purpose of serving mankind
in a thousand different ways, right down at the grass roots where freedom
lives or dies."
Brownfield
saw Junior Chamber as "the potential for a new force in the world, one
capable of changing the balance between victory or defeat for our chosen
way of life in a time of crisis."
The
actual writing of the Creed took place in July 1946 during a drive from
Brownfield's hometown of Columbus, Ohio, to his coal mine in New Lexington,
a journey of about 75 minutes. He started that journey with a firm conviction
in his mind to work on the Creed. It was during that trip that the following
words came to mind and were put on paper:
The
brotherhood of man transcends the sovereignty of nations.
Economic
justice can best be won by free men through free enterprise.
Government
should be of laws rather than of men.
Earth's
great treasure lies in human personality.
Service
to humanity is the best work of life.
In 1950
the first line, "We believe that faith in God gives meaning and purpose
to human life." was added.
Since
it was written, Junior Chamber members all over the world recite the Creed
at local, national and international meetings and functions. During that
time there has been much discussion of the interpretation of the Creed.
The author himself said, "Every Member is free to interpret the Creed in
the light of his own conscience."
The
following interpretation is based on Brownfield's own views and what is
commonly believed and understood to be the meaning of the Creed to the
organization. |
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Brownfield's
Interpretation of the JCI Creed
"We
believe . . . "
Everyone
must believe in some ideal, principle or philosophy. To believe is to practice
what is believed to be true.
" .
. . That faith in God gives meaning and purpose to human life . . . "
"God"
here does not refer to any specific religious God, but to a supreme omnipotence.
It does not matter who or what your God is; the line is just saying that
you must believe in something. Brownfield interpreted it in this way: "The
Junior Chamber membership, drawn from many religious backgrounds, is united
by a common bond of faith; that man lives by the will of (his/her) God,
that God's will for man is good; and that the life worthwhile is lived
in harmony with His eternal plan."
" .
. . That the brotherhood of man transcends the sovereignty of nations .
. . "
This
line breaks down all the boundaries that have been imagined by mankind.
It simply means that all men and women are equal. It respects allegiance
to one's country, but, at the same time, reinforces the idea that man is
a citizen of the world. Brownfield put it this way: "Man-made boundaries
have been drawn and redrawn, separating the human race into many nations.
But across these unnatural divisions there has been an intercourse in art,
science, commerce and religion; evidence of man's universal brotherhood;
proof that man himself, not his territorial divisions, is of basic worth."
" .
. . That economic justice can best be won by free men through free enterprise
. . . "
The
operative words here are " . . . can best be won . . . " Junior Chamber
members believe that man should be free to use his skills and abilities
to the limit in improving his economy. Brownfield expressed it this way:
"Where economic improvement has been greatest, man has been free to follow
his dream of making a personal fortune by doing something never done before,
or by doing it better." He also said, " . . . the system of self development
through private enterprise could be adapted with variations to suit local
conditions in many parts of the world."
" .
. . That government should be of laws rather than of men . . . "
This
tenet of the Creed simply means that no one should be above the law, and
that the law should be the same for all people, no matter what status they
hold in society. The government must be based on constitutional law, accepted
and ratified by a majority of the people. The power to change laws and
elect governments should remain in the hands of a majority of the people.
Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States, spoke of a government
"of the people, for the people, and by the people." This line of the Creed
crystallizes what President Lincoln was talking about so many decades ago.
Brownfield expressed the meaning this way: "In a free society, the fundamental
law is derived from the people. It is they who hold the final authority."
" .
. . That earth's great treasure lies in human personality . . . "
Every
individual has a separate and unique personality. That is the main difference
between humans and other creatures of the world. That uniqueness makes
the human personality earth's greatest treasure. It cannot be duplicated
nor can it be made. Brownfield's views on this line are: "True treasure
lies in the hearts of men. There is about us a vast field of opportunity
for cultivation of the human personality. It is not the quantity nor the
length of life that gives it zest, but the quality of living, the achievement
we make in terms of human progress."
" .
. . And that service to humanity is the best work of life."
This
final tenet of the Creed is the logical culmination of the preceding lines.
A person who believes in the Creed will most definitely find service to
humanity to be the best work of life. Note the word humanity. Brownfield's
interpretation to this line of the Creed is, "The life lived unselfishly
grows richer, deeper and fuller. Joy is more enduring and peace of mind,
more certain. The world looks at the contribution such a life has made
and marks the one who lived it as a benefactor of the race; yet he knows
in truth the greater benefit has been his own."
No matter
what a member's interpretation of the Creed may be, he or she should always
practice what he or she believes. Many unsuccessful attempts have been
made to change the Creed, but it has prevailed through the years and continues
be as the covenant that holds the organization together. Many members have
made the Creed their guide in life.
Brownfield
aptly summarized his interpretation of the Creed when he said: "Only
in the deed can the word become flesh." |
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