Self-image and structure

The International Kolping Society is a Catholic social association founded by Adolph Kolping. The members form a family-like and life-accompanying community. The International Kolping Society promotes the development of its members in many parts of daily life through education and actions. It is structured into local Kolping Families and its combinations into diocesan, regional and national associations.

 

Aims and tasks

According to its programme the Kolping Society aims to

-     empower its members to prove themselves in the world and thus in their jobs, in marriage and family, in the church, society and state;

-     to offer its members and society help and counselling

-     to promote common welfare in a Christian sense by activities of its members and structures and to participate in the permanent renovation and humanisation of society

 

Members

Today the International Kolping Society is represented in more than 60 countries of the world with about 450,000 members. The association is structured into local groups, the so-called Kolping Families. These are united in diocesan and national associations. At present there are about 5,000 Kolping Families worldwide.

 

Community of solidarity

The worldwide Kolping Society understands itself as a community of solidarity where members and Kolping Families support and promote each other. Hence, the International Kolping Society coordinates development cooperation within the association. The Kolping Families in Africa, Asia and Latin America as well as in Central and Eastern Europe particularly benefit from this cooperation. The Kolping Families in these regions understand themselves as self-help groups that want to assist people to cope with their daily problems by their activities.