The roots of Service Civil International lie in a very practical peace project. In 1920 a group of volunteers gathered to reconstruct a war-torn village on the French and German border. The initiative came from a Swiss man called Pierre Ceresole. It was his idea to work together in a spirit of friendship and demonstrate a concrete act of international solidarity. He wanted to show that people of different nationalities can work together instead of being each other’s enemies.

This very same idea still lies in the heart of all activities of Service Civil International. International voluntary projects are seen as a tool for creating intercultural understanding and solidarity between people of different backgrounds.SCI is now active all over the world. Volunteers are active in projects of reconstruction, ecology, social inclusion, North-South solidarity and more. Every year thousands of volunteers experience the dream of peace becoming a reality!

Are you interested to find out more about the history of SCI? Then you might like to visit the website of the International Archives! Or maybe you can visit the Travelling Exhibition about the life of Pierre Ceresole and the origins of SCI?

2010 is the year that we celebrate ninety years of promoting peace, intercultural understanding, mutual respect and international solidarity through concrete voluntary actions. Throughout this year we plan different activities and events in order to remember and reflect upon our work, values and achievements during almost a century. We see our anniversary as an opportunity for more cooperation and cohesion amongst SCI-branches, activists and working groups. Besides, by placing national and international activities and events under one international ‘SCI 90 years–banner’ we support both national and international levels by creating more visibility for SCI as an international organization that is united in all its diversity.