The Catholic Bishop's Conference of India, Commission for Youth, "ICYM" has made its presence felt much in the youth world in the Church and around, in the country and abroad. It has landed on an even ground and is ready to fly up to new heights in the area of spirituality and development based on "Youth" assets of the country.

The CBCI caters to the needs of the young people of the community and the society through different means. All this is possible only because of the numbers of partners, well-wishers and collaborators in India and abroad. I would like to express my gratitude to all Government, non-governmental organizations and individuals for partnering with us in a number of projects.

I would like to appreciate and thank all the Bishops, Religious Priests and Sisters, Youth Directors, lady Animators and the Youth leaders for lending their hands to successfully implement our programmes towards achieving our objectives.

Youth in the 21st century are being confronted with an enormous challenge in identifying and understanding themselves in relation to what the media and the secular world currents offer them. Much is available to youth to offer them a better life, but few pay attention to their real needs which is deeper that what appears superficial. 85% of the world’s young people live in developing countries, and more than half of these live in the rural world. Young people in rural areas are particularly hard hit by poverty, hunger and un-employment and inability to face the competition that is not the side of the rich, the strong and the powerful.
The CBCI Commission for Youth, ICYM, has given emphasis to spiritual awakening, health and life skills and supports the emergence and development of socio-political leadership from its ranks. Most of our programs at the national, regional and diocesan level revolve around all these thrusts. In the forth-coming three years ICYM will be focusing on the Theme: "Live the Word, Liberate the World' with three thrusts: 'Eradication of Poverty', 'Rejuvenating the Environment', 'Building a Culture of Peace'.

The CBCI Commission for Youth, ICYM is now affiliated to “F.I.M.C.A.P” (Federation Internation des Mouvements Catholiques d’Action Paroissiale) International Catholic Federation of Youth Organisations. A year ago on 9th August 2007 our dream came true when we registered "Youth Activ8 Foundation" under the Societies Registration Act 1886.

I invite people of good will and the past members of ICYM to come forward generously to help us realize our theme and thrusts and to build our youth for the Church and the Society.

I wish God’s peace and prosperity for all the Countries and prayerful wishes to all the Country Directors, Animators and the young people in their struggle to foster the youth as a hope of the families and the future of the World..