Twenty eight years after its historic debut, the JCI World Congress returned to the Philippine capital in November 1978.
The 33rd JCI World Congress adopted the theme “Our Children, Our Future,” reflecting the organization’s emphasis on youth welfare and the responsibilities of leadership toward succeeding generations.
The gathering was anticipated to draw at least 5,000 delegates representing 83 member countries, making it one of the largest international assemblies organized by the Jaycee movement at the time.
Philippine President Ferdinand Edralin Marcos and First Lady Imelda Romualdez Marcos attend as guests of honor at the 33rd JCI World Congress, hosted by JCI Manila at the Philippine International Convention Center. (1978)
Recognizing the significance of the occasion, President Ferdinand E. Marcos issued Proclamation No. 1787 on September 20, 1978, declaring November 5 to 12 as Jaycees International Week.
The presidential proclamation acknowledged the Manila Jaycees’ pioneering role in introducing the movement to the Philippines and Asia, as well as the contributions of Philippine Jaycees to national leadership, civic development, and international understanding.
According to the historical records of JCI Philippines, the 1978 assembly was considered the most attended JCI World Congress at the time.
The gathering reaffirmed the Philippines’ capacity to convene thousands of young leaders from around the world and strengthened its standing within the international Jaycee movement.
For the Philippine Jaycees, the event demonstrated how an organization that began with a single chapter in Manila had evolved into a nationwide movement capable of organizing international programs of considerable scale and influence.
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