The ICGS, known as the International Catholic Association of Organizations for the Protection of Girls, until 1964, was founded at Fribourg, Switzerland, in
1897
on the 19th of August, , less than a year after the founding on
September 23, 1896, of the "National Swiss Association of
Organizations for the Protection of Girls" and two years
after the foundation, in Germany, in August 1895, of the "Marianischer
Mädchenschutzverein für Bayern".
The prophetic vision of the founders must be stressed, because
the international spirit was barely present in the institutions
of the era. Thus, both in Switzerland and Bavaria, the need appeared
to group all centers having the same goal into a single organization
covering the whole world, so that no girl, once she left her country
and had no information or support, would find herself isolated
abroad.
The first national committees were those in Bavaria, Switzerland and France. Research work and the establishment of contacts were organized in various countries.
Soon membership in the International Association at Fribourg came from Germany, England, Austria-Hungary, Luxembourg, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Scandinavia, and Romania.
1898
From this year on, a support network extended from Russia to the
United States of America, providing girls with safe addresses
and much information.
1910
Participation in the foundation of the World Union of Catholic
Women's Organizations (WUCWO).
1914-1918
The first major world conflict marked a pause in the development
of the Association which picked up again at the end of hostilities.
1939-1945
The Second World War and the immediate aftermath constituted a
decisive turning point for the Association. Unfortunately, it
must be noted that the Association disappeared in the countries
of Eastern Europe. Contacts were established in Latin America
at this time, where the Association developed so rapidly that
in
1956
its Congress was held in Mexico. Regional meetings of the Association
were organized at the same time.
1964
Due to the rapid evolution of the status of women, the Association
at the time of the Rome Congress, while retaining its original
purpose, now stressed the advancement of young women separated
from their family setting and took the name of the International
Catholic Girls Society (ICGS).
The situation of women was also changing in Africa, where many "foyers" or centers were created by religious congregations. The Society thus began to establish relations with a number of them.
1974
The ICGS obtained consultative status with the Council of Europe.
1975
During its General Assembly in Rome, the International Council
of the ICGS welcomed two Africans: one from Togo, the other from
Mauritius, who were running welcome centers or women's organizations.
1980
The General Assembly decided on regional structures and voted
a Charter "IN VIA". It led a movement of adaptation
of all services and particularly of centers to the new needs for
youth of today.
1985
Consultative status was obtained at UNESCO, the United Nations
Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.
1991
- ECOSOC: registration as an NGO
- Opening of a center IN VIA in (East) Berlin
1997
Following the new directives of UNESCO, the status of having "Operational
Relations" was obtained.