Our Movement
Service Civil International is considered a movement of different peoples and bodies and therefore consists of several groups all working together to create a culture of peace.
Our structure
Branches and Groups
SCI consists of 40 branches and groups all over the world. Branches are full member of SCI and have a voting right at ICM. Groups are organisations who can observe at ICM and are working towards full membership. Branches and Groups work independently in their own country on the exchange of volunteers and coordination of projects, working towards SCI’s mission of a culture of peace. This decentralised way of working makes close cooperation and consultation with local communities stronger.
Partners and Contacts
SCI cooperates with partner organisations all over the world. Partner organisations are independent but like-minded organisations that also run international voluntary projects. SCI branches and partners cooperate in many ways, but mainly through volunteer exchanges and projects. Partner organisations can also actively participate in international working groups, or cooperate with other partners and branches in organising a campaign on a specific theme. They fist join SCI as a contact and later establish themselves as partners. They are not full members of SCI.
- ICM: International Committee Meeting
- IEC: International Executive Committee
- IS: International Secretariat
- ALO: Asian Liaison Office
- IIC: International Insurance Commission
- FACT: Financial Advice and Consultancy Team
International Committee Meeting (ICM)
Our highest decision making body is the International Committee Meeting (ICM), our general assembly, consisting of delegates from our branches, who decide on the path of SCI. It happens twice a year, usually in June and December, and it takes decisions for the whole movement.
International Secretariat (IS)
The operative part of the SCI’s international coordination is guaranteed by the International Secretariat, an office of staff and volunteers based in Antwerp (Belgium). The IS supports the movement in its strategic goals, builds on achieved results and amplifies its impact. The staff and volunteers support with daily management and provides different manners of support for both the international movement and individual branches. The International Coordinator is the head of the office and an ex-officio member of the IEC.
Working Groups
Working groups are integral parts of SCI’s structure as they are responsible for dealing with technical aspects and the promotion, facilitation and evaluation of volunteer exchanges between SCI Branches/Groups and Partners, as well as working on the quality of projects through focusing on specific thematic areas, such as sustainability, gender and inclusion. New partners will first work with working groups before being introduced to the movement.
International Executive Committee (IEC)
The IEC is the international board of SCI, responsible for its management and making sure that any decision agreed upon by ICM is accomplished. They have the responsibility and duty to take decisions between ICMs, as well as monitoring SCI’s progress in its strategic plan. The IEC is also responsible for overseeing the international budget.
Asian Liaison Office (ALO)
The Asian Liaison Office has been created in 2025 in order to support the development of the Asia-Pacific region through administrative and management tasks, facilitating cooperation between the regional working groups and branches, stimulating projects and fundraising initiatives, networking with like-minded organisations, and acting as first contact person for SCI organisations in the region. It is currently based at SCI Sri Lanka office.
And of course…our volunteers!
Volunteers are the core of SCI. Many activities are organised by volunteers, either for volunteers or for the public. To SCI volunteering is not only a method to achieve solidarity and promote a culture of peace, but it is a value in itself. Volunteering means to ‘act out of self-initiative for the benefit of society, without seeking material reward for your actions’. For SCI volunteering is a powerful tool for personal and social transformation: people gain self-confidence and skills, establish long lasting friendships and at the same time contribute to positive change in society.
SCI encourages and supports the involvement of interested volunteers and stimulates them to express and realise their own ideas. Therefore each volunteer is an essential building block of the organisation and of the wider peace movement as a whole. Every volunteer is a unique person and it is this diversity that makes SCI a very dynamic and creative organisation.
Who are the IEC?
Antonella Di Matteo
International President
Bert Verstappen Acting
International Vice-President
Nico Verzijden
International Treasurer
Antonios Sifakis
IEC member
Andrea Loddo
IEC member
Sarah Köksal
Co-opted IEC member
Oluwafemi Israel Aganran
IEC member
Cristina Debu
De-facto IEC member
Dr. Shobha Sudharshan
IEC member
Who are the IS and the ALO?
Cristina Debu
International Coordinator
The responsibilities of the International Coordinator include planning and monitoring the development of Plan of Actions, ensuring incorporation of priorities set at ICM into SCI’s actions, and representing the organization externally.
Claudia Strambini
Communication and Volunteer Coordinator
The Communication and Volunteer Coordinator oversees all of SCI International’s internal and external communication activities and coordinates the long-term volunteers at the International Secretariat.
Kerry Hargadon
Project Officer
Within the International Secretariat, the Project Officer oversees projects and their funding, ensuring the organization’s goals are pursued and achieved through the implementation of concrete activities and strategies.
Ossi Lemström
Finance and Administration Officer
The Finance and Administration Officer oversees international financial record-keeping, accounting procedures, and insurance matters within the organization’s administrative framework.
Ala Saidi
Tech Officer
The tech officer oversees all tech operations and developments within SCI, to provide comprehensive technological support for our operations and branches.
Meriem Mansouri
Communication volunteer
Meriem is an ESC volunteer, supporting the communication tasks of the office, through social media management, the creation of newsletters, updating the website and supporting awareness campaigns.
Aleksandra Bursac
Project volunteer
Aleksandra is a Service Civique volunteer, extending crucial assistance across varied international projects through coordination, logistical aid, and detailed reporting duties.
Sonja Obermaier
Project volunteer
Sonja fulfils the role of an ESC project volunteer, extending crucial assistance across varied international projects through coordination, logistical aid, and detailed reporting duties.
K. Nuwan Madusanka
Asia Liaison Officer
Nuwan connects SCI’s Asian branches with the International Secretariat, supporting coordination and communication in the region. He assists the Asia Development Working Group and helps organize trainings, meetings, and exchanges while promoting SCI’s values in Asia.