The International Association of Lyceum Clubs (IALC) is the formal association of national Federations¹ of Lyceum Clubs worldwide.

Currently, there are Lyceum Clubs in 17 countries around the world.

Some countries, such as France, Switzerland, Germany, the Netherlands, Finland, Australia and New Zealand have Lyceum Clubs active in most major cities. Others, such as Belgium, Portugal, Sweden, Austria, Russia and the USA have, so far, only one Lyceum Club established in the capital city or in a major city (Philadelphia Pa.).

Whether a country has one or many Lyceum Clubs, it constitutes a national Federation and, as such, can apply to be a member of the IALC and enjoy the rights and benefits offered by the international body.

The IALC is headquartered in Switzerland, at the premises of the Lyceum Club which retains the IALC archives – currently the International Lyceum Club of Zurich.

It is an apolitical and secular organisation, legally constituted under the Swiss Civil Code.

The mission of the IALC is to develop and enhance the spirit of international friendship and understanding between Lyceum Clubs around the world.

The IALC seeks to achieve this by promoting the formation of Lyceum Clubs worldwide, especially in countries where there is not currently any Lyceum presence, and by nurturing an environment of openness, discussion and exchange between all Clubs.

In this way, the IALC acts as a catalyst for inter-Federation and inter-Club contact, thereby promoting the international spirit of Lyceum, as well as contributing to the intellectual, artistic and social enrichment of individual Lyceum Clubs and their members.

Lyceum Club members are women interested in the arts, sciences and social concerns and in the pursuit of lifelong learning. Through their personal commitment, they promote understanding and friendship.

The first Lyceum Club, founded in London by Miss Constance Smedley, in 1904 aimed to provide a welcome and intellectually stimulating environment for educated and energetic women. Lyceum Clubs in Paris and Berlin quickly followed the success of London (see Lyceum History)

The IALC is governed by its International Council.

The delegates for the International Council are nominated by each national Federation. Each federation has the right to one delegate or more depending on the total number of Lyceum Club members in the National Federation and varies from one delegate (20-50 members) to eight (2501-3000 members) or more.

The International Council meets at the IALC’s International Congress, held every three years between March and June in a city with an active Lyceum Club. The International Congress is open to all Lyceum Club members worldwide. In addition to the formal meetings of the International Council, the Congress offers a rich program of keynote addresses, discussion groups, musical, cultural and other social activities, organised by the host Lyceum Club in conjunction with the IALC.

The official languages of the International Congress are English, French and German.

Between International Congresses, at which the International Council meets, the IALC is governed by an executive group, the International Central Bureau.

The International Central Bureau is composed of:

• The International President
• The International Vice-President – northern hemisphere
• The International Vice-President – southern hemisphere
• The International Secretary
• The International Treasurer
• The Presidents of all national Federations

The International Central Bureau maintains regular contact with all national Federations and is responsible for acting as the IALC Statutes prescribe.

  IALC Statutes (Adobe PDF document) (members only)

 Click for Acrobat Reader

1. In some countries, the National Federation of Lyceum Clubs is referred to as the National Association of Lyceum Clubs. We have used the word ‘Federation’ to mean both types of national organisations.