Education

National Civic Service

Higher Education minister, David Lammy MP is leading calls for a debate on the merits of a National Civic Service for young people. Earlier in the year, 'Prospect' published a report on the benefits of giving young people a structured process to enable them to 'encounter culture' and broaden horizons, as well as contributing something positive to society.

We are proposing the introduction of a mandatory national citizenship service programme. Every British young person, aged 16 to 25, should be paid a modest amount—perhaps around the minimum wage—to spend at least six months, and preferably a full year, working on projects supporting Britain’s children, the sick and elderly, the environment, and international development. Properly designed, such a scheme could help to reduce youth unemployment, answer many social needs that are not met by either the market or existing public services, and provide young people with structure, rites of passage, the opportunity to serve and the chance to move beyond the limited horizons in which they were born.

Taken from article in 'Prospect' by James Crabtree, Issue 156

This is a controversial idea which must be debated in full. However, in looking at the current economic climate as well as the perception that young people are faced with an uncertain future in terms of career chances and opportunities, this is certainly worthy of debate.

From an After Sunday perspective, there is much here to offer a hope for the future. The ethos of a national civic service is positive and would enhance a young person's experiencea nd boroaden their horizons. Should we therefore be beginning to develop such programmes on a small scale, regardless of how a national programme might develop. Perhaps we should take a look around the young people we engage with, and ask how we could enhance their experience and fully human beings. What can we offer at a local level which wold benefit young people, who would ultimately benefit us all?