Kolpingjugend

Kolpingjugend is the youth branch of the Kolpingwerk, a Catholic social association founded in the 19th century by Adolph Kolping. Established in 1957 as the 'Jungkolping' group within the Kolpingwerk Deutschland, it has grown into a democratic youth organization for children, adolescents, and young adults up to age 29. With around 34,000 members across 2,342 Kolpingsfamilien in Germany, it is part of the Bund der Deutschen Katholischen Jugend (BDKJ) and operates within the international Kolping Society present in 61 countries. The organization focuses on community building, political education, social projects, and international youth exchanges. Its activities range from local group meetings and holiday camps to large-scale events like the Kolpingtag and Sternenklar youth gatherings. The Kolpingjugend is guided by the values of Adolph Kolping, emphasizing solidarity, democracy, and active participation in society and the church.

The Kolpingjugend traces its origins to the first Gesellenverein (journeymen's association) founded in Elberfeld in 1846, which later developed into the Kolpingsfamilien. Adolph Kolping shaped the early phase of the Kolpingwerk and remains a role model. The Kolpingjugend as a distinct entity emerged in 1957: on 20 November 1957, the 21st General Assembly in Cologne adopted a new general statute that divided the Kolpingwerk into the groups Jungkolping, Kolping, and Altkolping. This marked the birth of the Kolpingjugend as an age-based target group. The Deutsche Zentralversammlung from 23 to 25 October 1962 in Hirschberg defined the organization and goals of the Jungkolping group. The first nationwide youth day took place from 31 May to 3 June 1973 in Cologne under the motto 'Handeln, nicht behandelt werden' with 6,000 participants. In 1978, the Kolping group was renamed Kolping Junge Erwachsene, and the Kolpingjugend then consisted of the age groups Jungkolping and Kolping Junge Erwachsene. A framework concept based on the Paderborner Programm of 1976 was adopted, serving as the predecessor to today's Leitsätze. From 2 to 5 June 1988, the Kolping Jugendtag 'Projekt A3 – Wir machen mehr aus unserer Arbeit' took place in Essen with 6,000 participants. In May 1994, a pilgrimage from Kerpen to Cologne was held with 800 participants. The association received a new logo in March 1995. In July 1995, the Bundestreffen 'Auf, werde lebendig!' in Osnabrück attracted 1,500 participants. In February 2001, the Kolpingjugend launched the nationwide action against xenophobia 'Wer Mut zeigt, macht Mut'. The Leitsätze were adopted in March 2001 by the Bundeskonferenz in Vallendar. From 3 to 5 October 2003, the Bundestreffen 'Blickwechsel03' in Regensburg drew 3,500 participants. In August 2005, the Kolpingjugend participated in the XX World Youth Day in Cologne with a large action mile and its own festival around the Minoritenkirche. The campaign 'Ich tu’s – ehrenamtlich' in September 2005 highlighted voluntary social engagement. The Bundeskonferenz from 22 to 24 September 2006 in Herbstein/Mainz decided to focus on 'Jugend und Arbeitswelt'. From 18 to 20 September 2009, a youth pilgrimage under the motto 'wegweisend' took place in Cologne with about 1,500 participants. From 28 to 30 September 2018, 1,200 participants attended the youth event Sternenklar in Frankfurt am Main under the motto 'Du baust die Zukunft', discussing Europe, creation care, and the future of the association. The Kolpingjugend is a member of the Bund der Deutschen Katholischen Jugend.

• 2018

  Youth event Sternenklar in Frankfurt am Main with 1,200 participants under motto 'Du baust die Zukunft'.

• 2009

  Youth pilgrimage 'wegweisend' in Cologne with about 1,500 participants.

• 2006

  Bundeskonferenz in Herbstein focuses on 'Jugend und Arbeitswelt'.

• 2005

  Participation in XX World Youth Day in Cologne; campaign 'Ich tu’s – ehrenamtlich'.

• 2003

  Bundestreffen 'Blickwechsel03' in Regensburg with 3,500 participants.

• 2001

  Nationwide action against xenophobia 'Wer Mut zeigt, macht Mut' launched; Leitsätze adopted.

• 1995

  New logo introduced; Bundestreffen 'Auf, werde lebendig!' in Osnabrück with 1,500 participants.

• 1994

  Pilgrimage from Kerpen to Cologne with 800 participants.

• 1988

  Kolping Jugendtag 'Projekt A3' in Essen with 6,000 participants.

• 1978

  Kolping group renamed Kolping Junge Erwachsene; framework concept based on Paderborner Programm adopted.

• 1973

  First nationwide youth day in Cologne with 6,000 participants under motto 'Handeln, nicht behandelt werden'.

• 1962

  Deutsche Zentralversammlung in Hirschberg defines organization and goals of Jungkolping.

• 1957

  21st General Assembly in Cologne adopts new statute, creating Jungkolping group; birth of Kolpingjugend.

• 1846

  First Gesellenverein founded in Elberfeld, later developing into Kolpingsfamilien.

A democratic Catholic youth organization rooted in the values of Adolph Kolping, empowering young people to take action in society, church, and the world.

1. 1Kolpingjugend official websitekolpingjugend.de
2. 2Unsere Geschichte - Kolpingjugendkolpingjugend.de
3. 3Kolpingjugend - Über unskolpingjugend.de
4. 4Kolpingjugend - Wikipediade.wikipedia.org
5. 5Kolpingjugend - Wikidatawikidata.org