Y.C.S IS MOVEMENT OF COMMITMENT
YCS is a movement of young people on the move, who do not stand still. It is always changing and improving - itself and the world. It tries to move forward in one clear direction, which is determined by the commitment and options of its members. Y.C.S is committed to God, Jesus Christ, Kingdom of God, people, change, structural change , the poor and the oppressed. All these commitments form a whole. They are not different or seperate - and all they form one commitment - our FAITH-COMMITMENT.
A MOVEMENT OF ACTION/REFLECTION
Y.C.S is not committed to talking that does not lead to action for change. Our commitment to God's Kingdom makes us want to work, do things, act and strive for that Kingdom. We are not activists who do action haphazardly or for the sake of it. We are commited to action and directed reflection. Our action through our reflection upon them, lead to stronger and deeper commitment which leads to more effective action. The method of reflecting is called the 'Review of Life' or 'See-Judge-Act' method. In all our meetings in the movement, we use the ordered method of reflecting in three stages: SEEING a problem or action and its causes; JUDGING it in the light of the gospel and its values to see what needs to be changed and planning concrete ACTION which will be carried out by the Y.C.S. members.
A MOVEMENT OF CRITICAL REFLECTION
The SEE, JUDGE, ACT method enables people to reflect critically - this includes self-criticism and criticism from the world. Through our critical reflection YCS world-wide has developed and analysis of society and structures which reflect the struggle. We see sin as the root cause of suffering and evil. Ouir analysis gives us understanding of the structures created by sin and sin created by structures, and we see our task to liberate the world from this sin.
A MOVEMENT OF EVANGILISATION AND LIBERATION
Evangilisation is the spreading of the Good News about the total liberation of the world and sums up in one word all we are doing through the movement. The message of Jesus is Good News for the poor and oppressed but bad news for the rich and the oppressor. It is the message that, the poor and oppressed and those who identify with them, who through their actions can and will bring about a world of peace and justice - KINGDOM OF GOD. A world that is totally liberated from all forms of oppression - political, economic, racial, women's, personal etc.
A CHRISTIAN MOVEMENT
YCS is a Church movement which grew out of the YCW started by a Belgium priest, Cardijn, in 1924, and is part of a whole family of different mo\vements struggling for liberation. YCS is a movement within the Church, but is also critical of the contradictions that exist there too, and so tries to evangelise the Church and allow itself to be evangelised by it too.
A STUDENT MOVEMENT
We say that JESUS' message is GOOD NEWS for the poor and bad news for the oppressor and becomes GOOD NEWS for students when they fully identify with the struggle of the oppressed and the poor. YCS is a movement of all students and for all students who take this option. Because it is of and for all students, it tries to become self-reliant and independent, especially from those adults, organisers, counsellors, chaplains at the service of the movement. They use their experience and do not allow it to dominate them. YCS also attempts to be financially independent through fundraising and subscription of its members. This is an important action of its members.
A MOVEMENT OF EDUCATION
YCS tries to offer an education of liberating, education reflecting and practising the values of the KINGDOM OF GOD. YCS members learn to do action, prepare for the coming of God's Kingdom, unjust values, and learn to become liberating leaders in this society. Hence it is a movement of education and formation.
AN INTERNATIONAL MOVEMENT
In YCS, we learn not only from other individuals, but other groups, regions, nations. To be a member of YCS is to be part of a collective experience. The actions/reflections of the members and groups in YCS are co-ordinated by structures. The basic structure is a small group which co-ordinate the action/reflection of its members. Regional Teams co-ordinate the activirties of its groups, the National team co-ordinates regions and the International Team co-ordinates sub-continental regions (groups of national YCS'S). In YCS, we try to avoid domination by the structure and through communication, reflection and co-ordination become as democratic as possible.
THE COMMUNITY AND PRAYER EXPERIENCE OF THE MOVEMENT
YCS is more than just a movement of action, reflection, education, it has become for its members and supporters an experience of real community, solidarity, and support. CXommunity is important because of the need to overcome individualism. YCS members strive towards collective action under the discipline of a community. This has therefore developed a whole new experience of spirit in the movement. Prayer expresses the hope and frustrations, joys and gratitudes of being involved in the struggle. We rely upon the spirit of the Gospel, of prayer, of commitment, of the poor, of liberation, of Jesus - Holy Spirit. This is our community experience.
