History

MIJARC/IMCARY was founded in october 1954 in Annevoie, Belgium, by the catholic rural youth movements of Germany, Austria, Belgium, Spain, Netherlands, Italy and Luxemburg.

During the 50 ties MIJARC/IMCARY got official recognition of the Vatican, FAO, ILO and UNESCO.

The World Congress of MIJARC/IMCARY in Lourdes 1960 with theparticipation of 26500 rural youth was an important event especially interms of strengthening the relationship with rural youth movementsoutside of Europe which soon became member of MIJARC/IMCARY.

Since then MIJARC/IMCARY has strengthened it´s network all over theworld, is involved in advocacy and lobby activities in different UNorganisations and has positivly influenced the life of millions ofyoung people world wide.