The Federation
About Us
The World Student Christian Federation (WSCF) is a global federation of student Christian groups. WSCF is ecumenical – welcoming people from all Christian traditions and encouraging dialogue between students of different traditions. WSCF has members from Protestant, Orthodox, Pentecostal, Roman Catholic and Anglican traditions and from other faiths.
As a federation of student movements, the WSCF empowers and connects responsible young leaders around the world in their path to changing tomorrow. We encourage a culture of democracy to mobilize youth to become pro-active in society, promoting positive change through dialogue and action between different traditions and cultures.
The WSCF is the oldest international student organization, founded in 1895 by North American evangelist and global ecumenist John R. Mott. Mott's ecumenical vision and missionary zeal also contributed to the beginnings of the World Council of Churches (WCC). From the outset WSCF has been crucial in the formation of leaders for the ecumenical movement. The WCC owes much of its founding leadership to former members of the WSCF.
The local and national groups that make up the Federation are largely known as Student Christian Movements (SCMs). In some cases the youth or student movement of a national church or other ecumenical organisation is a member of the WSCF. While university, polytechnic and other tertiary students make up the bulk of SCM membership, high school students are also involved in some movements. Students who join an SCM are encouraged to study their Christian faith and their world with the same depth and passion they bring to their studies. SCMs are renowned for their openness to searchers as well as believers and for a strong commitment to social justice.
Today, WSCF connects two million members in over 90 countries, having over one hundred affiliated national movements which span the six WSCF regions: Africa, Asia-Pacific, Europe, Latin America and Caribbean, Middle East and North America.
Our Vision and Mission
(From 2016 to 2019 Strategic Plan)
VISION:
WSCF is called to be a prophetic witness in church and the transformation of the world where God’s love for creation, justice and peace is shared by all across boundaries of race, class, ethnicity, culture, gender and sexuality. This vision is nurtured by a radical hope of God’s reign in history and liberating faith in Jesus Christ.
MISSION:
The WSCF is a global fellowship of Student Christian Movements putting their faith into action to contribute to the renewal of the ecumenical movement and to promote justice and peace in the world.
Governance
The Federation’s office is strategically located in Geneva, Switzerland in order to foster, build connections and bring the voice and work of its young members engaged in grassroots movements, to the highest levels of international policy-makers and ecumenical bodies. WSCF is administered at the global level by staff and officers appointed from each of the six regions. It operates an Inter-Regional Office (IRO) and employs a General Secretary who co-ordinates global WSCF activities.
WSCF global office responsibilities include:
- Developing global programmes to empower young leaders
- Fundraising and establishing international partnerships
- Connecting student movement grass roots works on a global level
- Financing and overlooking the administration of the Federation
- Organising statutory and programmatic meetings
- Provide staff support to the Centennial Fund
Our Status
WSCF is a non-governmental organization in special consultative status with the Economic and Social Council (EcoSoc) at the United Nations (UN) and has advisory status to the World Council of Churches (WCC) World Committee.