Is a network of the Catholic Church offering – in an Ecumenical spirit – to those directly concerned with International students in each European country, the possibility to exchange with their colleagues of other European countries good practice-examples to accompany and dialogue with international students.

It was founded in 1999 on an initiative of the Vatican aimed at co-ordinating the various projects of the Catholic Church in this field and strengthening its presence in the International sector of European universities.

An annual meeting in one of the member countries brings us together to reflect on a topic of common interest and analyze the work done by local chaplaincies and Universities in the field of internationalization.

The purpose of SECIS is therefore to open horizons for the local action adding a supra-national value: «acting locally, thinking internationally».

Main topics of interest are: pastoral guidance, intercultural and interreligious dialogue, residences and scholarships.

SECIS is, in this way, a transversal organization, a “network of networks”, which helps bringing in contact agents working locally and missing often the opportunity to share their experience in a spirit of human and Christian openness.

Others activities fostered by SECIS

Exchange of information on the situation of the International students in different countries.

Gather documentation on the subject.

Co-ordination of activities of the Church in the international area of the Universities.

Representation of the members at International organizations in order to give notice of the views of the Church.

Promotion of common projects in favor of International students, concerning their guidance (mainly on pastoral level) in a spirit of inter-religious dialogue and intercultural exchange.