Name and motto

Pax Romana is a combination of two movements, ICMICA/MIIC and IMCS/MIEC. ICMICA stands for the International Catholic Movement for Intellectual and Cultural Affairs, and MIIC stands for the French and Spanish translation of this title (Mouvement International des Intellectuels Catholiques in French and Movimiento Internacional de Intelectuales Católicos in Spanish). IMCS stands for the International Movement of Catholic Students, and MIEC stands for the French and Spanish translation (Mouvement International des Étudiants Catholiques in French and Movimiento Internacional de Estudiantes Católicos in Spanish).^{[citation needed]}

Pax Romana (Latin) refers to over 200 years of peace during the days of the Roman Empire, including the life of Christ. The motto of Pax Romana is "Pax Christi in regno Christi" (Latin), which translates to "peace of Christ in the kingdom of Christ".^{[citation needed]}

History

In 1921, student leaders from 23 countries met in Fribourg, Switzerland to create what is today the International Movement of Catholic Students (IMCS/MIEC). They felt compelled to form an international union to organize for peace after the world had been shaken by World War I.^[4] Between the two world wars, IMCS/MIEC had close relations with the League of Nations, with the goal to address the concerns of students around the globe.^[3]

Global tensions prior to World War II prompted IMCS/MIEC to expand its reach to North America. Thus, in 1938 IMCS/MIEC elected its first non-European president, Edward Kirchner from the United States, and in 1939 held its World Congress at Fordham University in New York and Catholic University in Washington, D.C.^[4] Throughout the war and following its end, IMCS/MIEC made a goal of providing relief to students who had been affected by the conflict.^{[citation needed]}

Post-war, IMCS/MIEC sought more representation among Catholic students in Latin America, Africa and Asia. These efforts would lead to the development of many national movements throughout the continents. By having an organization comprising many national movements situated around the world, IMCS/MIEC is structured in a way to "enable local students to take creative ownership over their local structures while also allowing for considerable diversity among the member movements".^[3]

In 1946, the International Young Catholic Students (IYCS/JECI) movement was founded during Pax Romana's World Congress.^[4] IYCS/JECI is unlike its predecessor in that these movements are "organized in the tradition of specialized Catholic action.^[3] Although being autonomous to Pax Romana, these two organizations would work closely together, only to form an even closer bond with IMCS/MIEC in the 1970s, as the two launched joint national movements in Latin America, Europe and the Middle East. In light of this new strengthened working relationship, IMCS/MIEC would leave its offices in Fribourg, Switzerland to share a space with IYCS/JECI in Paris, France.^[4]

Structure

This section does not cite any sources. (June 2021)

The International Team of IMCS/MIEC Pax Romana consists of a President, Secretary General, and Ecclesial Assistant. Elections to the International Team are held during the World Assembly, which takes place every 4 years. In between, the International Team convokes annual International Council Meetings.

The organization is composed of regional structures,^[5] of which some are joined with IYCS/JECI:

• Europe: JECI-MIEC Coordination
• Asia: IMCS Asia Pacific Coordination
• Middle East: JECI-MIEC Middle East
• Africa: IMCS/MIEC African Coordination
• Northern America: IMCS/MIEC Northern American Coordination
• South America: SLA MIEC-JECI - Latin America and Caribbean Coordination

History

As the IMCS/MIEC was founded in response to World War I, the International Catholic Movement for Intellectual and Cultural Affairs (ICMICA/MIIC) was founded after World War II, emerging from the graduate branch of IMCS/MIEC in 1946.^[2]

Structure

The International Team of ICMICA/MIIC Pax Romana consists of a President, Secretary General, Ecclesial Assistant and Regional Vice Presidents (who are also coordinators for a certain continent), and Vice President for Finance. Elections of the International Team are held during the Plenary Assembly, which takes place every 4 years. In between, the International Team convokes annual International Council Meetings.

Each regional board is elected for a 4-year term. These consist of 7 board members and a vice president of the given continent, who coordinates the work of the board. Elections are held during the Regional Assembly, which takes place after every International Congress. Each regional board is assisted by regional Ecclesial Assistant.

ICMICA/MIIC Pax Romana also has 6 Specialized Secretariats:

• SIQS - The International Secretariat of Scientific questions;
• MIJC - The International Secretariat of the Catholic Lawyers;
• SIIAEC - The International Secretariat of the Catholic Engineers, Agronoms and Industrialists;
• SIESC - The International Secretariat of Catholic High School Teachers;
• SIAC - The International Secretariat of Christian Artists;
• Women's vision (this group acquired the status of the International Specialized Secretariat during the World Congress in 2008.)