It has members in about 127 countries, and regional or national organizations in most of them. JCI world headquarters in the St. Louis suburb of Chesterfield. The first local Junior Chamber chapter was founded in 1915, but the international umbrella organization Junior Chamber International (JCI) was founded in Mexico in 1944. It has consultative status with the Council of Europe, with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations and with UNESCO. It encourages young people to become active citizens and to participate in efforts towards social and economic development, international cooperation, good-will, and understanding.