TMCS MZUMBE UNIVERSITY

INTRODUCTION
The International Movement of Catholic Students (IMCS) - IMCS-Pax Romana was founded in 1921 in Frobourg, Switzerland .IMCS is recognized by the Holy See and is a member of the United Nations (ECOSOC-Category B).The Movement is also a member of International Catholic Organizations (ICO). It is now present in over 90 countries in all continents including Africa. It educates its member on social issues related to Promotion of Peace and Dialogue ,HIV/AIDS, Environmental Protection , Gender Empowerment ,Leadership and Good Governance and many more. In Tanzania IMCS was introduced at the University of Dar-es-salaam and then expanded to other universities . More activities have been carried out including attending IMCS Africa seminars , workshops as well as attending different international meetings , congresses and assemblies . IMCS has sometimes been defined in different terms depending on the affiliation ,language and authority .The official languages are English and France plus local /national languages like Kiswahili in Tanzania . Here below are the clear definitions and elaborations of IMCS Pax Romana .

THE GENERAL OBJECTIVES OF IMCS
1. To promote student Apostolate among students of higher education , emphasizing their responsibilities within the life and mission of the church in the world.
2. To promote justice that is crucial for the transformation of society and collaborate with all people in common reflection and action for more just and equitable social order at all levels including national , continental and international ones.
3. To deepen our experience of the Christian faith lived through commitment and to communicate this faith to the students to the students’ milieu by witnessing Jesus Christ.
4. To develop an educative process that will help students translate their Christian faith into more practical efforts at building a more just society.

IMCS : A CHURCH MOVEMENT
The IMCS- Pax Romana (International Movement of Catholic Students ) is a lay movement that is committed and whose fundamental goal is “Evangelization of Students Communities , of the Poor and Marginalized People of the society ’’ The IMCS Pax Romana is a Movement for tertiary students ( in universities and colleges ) whose mission is to ensure that the academic growth and development of students goes hand in hand with their spiritual development , in the light of real life situation they encounter and in the process, develop leaders along Christian principles . IMCS is expanding in Africa . For the National Movement to be affiliated to IMCS Africa , it must be recognized by the Episcopal conference of the respective countries .

IMCS : A STUDENTS' MOVEMENT
Tertiary Students (in universities and colleges ) are the main concern of the movements’ actions and activities. IMCS members commit themselves to make evangelization a personal development and social tool by opting for the formation of “ Apostolate of students by students’’

IMCS : AND ITS OPTION FOR THE POOR
The fundamental orientation of IMCS is “ the Preferential Option for the Poor” (2Cor. 8:9) because it is with them that Christ identified Himself in His glory .Those who are thirsty and hungry , those who are persecuted , ignored and marginalized by Modern systems of exploitation . The IMCS favors meetings of students of different cultural and religious backgrounds with different categories of the poor.

IMCS TANZANIA
IMCS is currently known as TMCS standing for Tanzania Movement of Catholic Students. Activities of TMCS in Tanzania are coordinated by a National Team of six(6) students elected during the annual national conference who stay in office for one year , The national coordinator who is appointed by national team and The National Youth Coordinator who is appointed by The Tanzania Episcopal Conference T.E.C. The National Headquarter is based in Dar-es-salaam. The activities are managed under the zonal leadership.There are currently twenty five zones of Dar-es-salaam, Morogoro , Mbeya , Arusha , Mwanza, Shinyanga , Mtwara ,Moshi , Bukoba ,Iringa , Dodoma , Zanzibar , Tabora , Singida , Mbulu , Songea , Tanga , Njombe , Musoma, Masasi , Kigoma , Kahama ,Ifakara , Kondoa and Geita. The zones activities are coordinated by students leaders elected from branches and their office terms are renewable unless the candicate is the finalist by that time of election. The Co-ordination work is done by gathering of national movements’ activities through branch reports gathered by the zone , then compiled to a single report that is sent to the national office , Pan African office and TEC are spread to them through organization of exchange meetings between zones for a mutual enrichment for the youth from different zones. THE NATIONAL CONFERENCE
This is the supreme decision-making body of TMCS. It is composed of: - (a) National Team (b) Zone Chaplains (c) Zone leaders (d) Branch leaders (e) All Members. The meeting is held once in a year on 26th December to 30th December.
THE NATIONAL TEAM
The National Team is composed of The Bishop Chairperson, National Youth Coordinator(TEC), Chaplain, six(6) leaders and national coordinator . In line with the decisions and resolutions taken by the National Conference , the Team ensures extension , co-ordination and interaction of the zonal movements through visits , formation sessions and exchange of information.
ZONAL COORDINATION
The role of zonal co-ordination teams is to develop an active network within their zones by ensuring regular correspondence , encouraging exchange between them in the branches and organizing work camps/formation sessions , in collaboration with the National Team.
THE BRANCHES
These are the basis of TMCS . The branches help their members to live according to Catholic principles and offer an alternative model to the society . The Branches of IMCS Pax Romana(Tanzania) carry out a number of activities which include: -
(a) Student catechesis which includes baptismal , Eucharist and other sacraments with the help from zonal leadership. The report should be sent to the national office.
(b) Cultural activities like plays , games ,choirs, etc
(c) Educational programs.
(d) Different campaigns like campaigns against HIV / AIDS.
(e) Social activities like charity to the needy where the report is to be gathered by the zone and sent to the national office.
(f) Exposure programs to different relevant institutions and places approved by their chaplain.
(g) Meeting and study sessions as well as Work camps.