Service News Worldwide - July 2009
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| July 2009 Issue 67 | ||
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Contents
Coming in August! Stay tuned for our upcoming August issue on social innovation! Want to contribute to this issue? We are looking for analysis and commentary on social innovation and what it means in the context of national service and service-learning, profiles of socially innovative service programs, interviews with leaders in social innovation, and resources. Email contributions to info@icicp.org
Coming in September! Stay tuned for our upcoming September issue on Pathways through Service! Email contributions to info@icicp.org
Want to add a youth service-related event to our calendar? Email events to info@icicp.org
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Welcome to this month's issue on the International Association for National Youth Service (IANYS)! | |
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A Look Back - Reflections on the Founding and Evolution of IANYS By Don Eberly, Founder of IANYS  I have been asked to
give my perspective on the roots of IANYS, its
further development, and on National Youth
Service generally.
The spark for the founding
of IANYS came from a reader of the National
Service Newsletter, which I started issuing in
mid-1966; so for this article I decided to
review old Newsletters. They were mostly about
alternatives to military conscription, which
was a big issue in the USA at that time. The
first reference to NYS outside the USA came in
the December 1966 issue, which referred to the
passage by the Italian Senate of a bill which
gave qualified young men the option to be
relieved from compulsory military service if
they did civilian service in a developing
country for at least two years. This was soon
followed by news from India about the Prime
Minister's Committee recommending compulsory
national service for all university students,
and a British conference chaired by Prince
Phillip calling for expanded service
opportunities for young people.
Read More
I continued to learn of
NYS initiatives around the world which led to a
mailing list of several hundred people from 65
countries by the time the first Global
Conference was convened in 1992. One of them
was Mrs. Galaletsang Maakwe, director of
Botswana's NYS called Tirelo Setshaba, who wrote to
me recommending that NYS people from around the
world should get together and discuss their
programs. Her letter helped to convince the
Kellogg and Johnson Foundations to support the
first global conference.
We met at the Wingspread Conference Center in the USA where we compared the various NYS programs and then went into some detail on the linkage between NYS and military service, NYS as a form of nation-building, universal principles of NYS, the distinction between service and employment, the learning potential of NYS, and concluded with a conference communiqué, A Call to Service, that was strongly supportive of NYS. Nigeria offered to host the second Global Conference (GC) in 1994. It was marked by a strong representation of African countries, several site visits to National Youth Service Corps projects, and a resolution to move forward with an International Association for NYS. Papua New Guinea, which had a few years earlier prepared an impressive and comprehensive plan for NYS with a strong service-learning dimension, hosted the third GC in 1996. It focused on the draft Charter that had been prepared in advance of the conference. Delegates debated it thoroughly, made several changes, and passed it by acclamation. There was also no lack of entertainment as a variety of dancers in colorful costumes put on a splendid performance, one that was enhanced by [Global Council Member] Reuven Gal's active participation on the dance floor. Not to be outdone was the UK at the Fourth GC in 1998. From a common meeting place, we were swept by bus through the gates of Windsor Castle where we spent the next three days meeting, sleeping, eating, and walking the grounds as if we were royalty. The Conference theme was “National Youth Service into the 21st Century” and we did indeed set forth a number of issues and ways of dealing with them. Two years later we met in even more historic Jerusalem for the Fifth GC where the theme was “The Role of National Youth Service in Building Citizenship and Society.” We saw some impressive examples of the theme, such as Arabs and  Jews working together on a tutoring
project in the NYS program know as Shlomit. We
saw others in the Israeli NYS community
acquainting recent arrivals from Ethiopia with
life in Israel.Two years later, in Argentina, the sixth GC shifted focus somewhat to service-learning, and we were treated to examples of service-learning on several levels as well as enjoying the lively presence of about 200 students at some of our sessions. In 2004, we met in Ghana for the Seventh GC and saw the impact of the Argentinean conference right away as our Ghanaian hosts had invited about three dozen leading educators in Ghana to a pre-conference meeting with several service-learning experts from Argentina and elsewhere. Again we were treated to informative site visits, from forestry to sustainable farming to skills training in a remote village. At the end of the GC, I hopped over to Molusi College in Nigeria where I had a reunion with about 40 of my former students whom I had taught there in the mid 1950s. The provision in our Charter for a roving Secretariat – one that would reside with the GC host country – worked very well for the first seven GCs. It gave virtually full authority to governments and NGOs from various parts of the world to show off their NYS projects, to adopt a theme on which to focus the conference, to decide whom to invite as speakers and panelists, and to insure strong representation from NYS-interested people in nearby countries. However, the system failed us in 2006 when the conference that had been scheduled for Montreal was canceled because a new government had come to power earlier in the year and did not come through with the promised financial support of the previous government. Thanks to Global Council member Jim Kielsmeier, the IANYS Steering Committee got together early in 2007 and accepted the proposal of Innovations in Civic Participation  (USA) to become the IANYS
Secretariat. That it has gotten off to a
brilliant start is evident by the fact that the
new team of Susan Stroud, Executive Director of
ICP, as Director of IANYS and Dame Elisabeth
Hoodless, Executive Director of Community Service
Volunteers (UK), as Chairman of IANYS,
together with host organizers Marie Trellu-Kane
of Unis-Cité (France) and Agnes
Uhereczky of the Association of Voluntary Service
Organisations (AVSO) (Belgium) put on
the biggest and most diversely attended GC yet
in Paris in November 2008.Looking to the future, and to IANYS in particular, I think perhaps the biggest challenge is to get countries to recognize that NYS belongs as a cornerstone of national policy. We noted in the first Global Conference that countries had created NYS for very different reasons: from an alternative to military service to high youth unemployment to a dearth of service providers to deep divisions in multi-ethnic countries. The irony is that they devised a common program: a year of youth service in a cross-cultural setting. The evidence is there that NYS provides services in excess of program costs while contributing positively to the growth of those who serve. Thanks in part to IANYS, some progress is being made toward recognizing a role for NYS more or less on par with the roles of education and military service, but there is still far to go. Finally, there is the dream that effective NYS programs and policy will help to prevent violent conflict. NYS can help alleviate many of the causes of war, both internationally and domestically. It can reduce poverty and youth unemployment. It can improve the levels of education and health care. It can give youthful participants greater self-esteem, self-discipline, and social maturity. It can contribute to new understanding among races, ages, and ethnic groups. With NYS operating on a fairly substantial scale - say between 25 and 50 percent of the youth population – the NYS contributions can be more than anecdotal, as the large youth population in many countries can dramatically impact public policy as they alleviate some of the conditions that lead to war. It is only a dream, of course. But then, we discovered last election day in America that dreams can come true. Collapse text
Materials from the 8th
Global Conference held in Paris in November
2008, including speakers' presentations,
photos, and video interviews with conference
participants, can be found on the ICP website
at www.icicp.org/ianys/8thGC
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| International Trends |
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The Global Momentum for National Youth
Service
The momentum for National Youth Service is growing internationally, as more countries around the world are developing or expanding youth civic engagement programs and policies. It is clear that there is growing recognition that the ingenuity, solidarity and creativity of millions of young people can be harnessed to address critical social, political and economic issues around the world.
The signing of the Edward
M. Kennedy
Serve America Act on
21st April, 2009 in Washington, DC
marked
a historical moment in the history of the
United States. President Barack Obama
underlined his strong support to
"encourage a renewed spirit of national
service for this and future generations".
The signing of the Act is "the boldest
expansion of opportunities to serve
our communities and our country since
the creation Heads of State Support Establishment of National Youth Service Programs In the video presentation for the International Association of National Youth Service (IANYS) Global Conference in November 2008, the President of Liberia Ms. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf underlined that "youth empowerment and national development are inextricably linked." Youth empowerment is one crucial pillar of development and part of the recently drafted poverty reduction strategy called "Lift Liberia." Furthermore she pointed out that investing in youth development is very important and "service-learning and altruism can be effective peace building tools" and can cause "enormous impact". The government of Liberia is currently developing a policy framework on National Youth Service to establish a National Youth Service Corps. Government representatives of the Mano River Union (MRU) from Ghana, Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Sierra Leone and Guinea recently met at a conference in Monrovia to share experiences on National Youth Service programmes in the sub-region. The conference, supported by the European Commission and United Nations Volunteers (UNV), served as a platform to exchange ideas and best practices in West Africa and provided Liberia with important information on how to establish a successful National Youth Service Scheme. Collapse text Under the administration of the Philippines' President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo two new National Youth Service programmes were recently established. The President has said that now is the time to "initiate a new era of volunteerism and community spirit". Young people between ages 18-24 will commit two years to improve their communities and gain skills. The National Youth Corps intends to engage unemployed college graduates in education and community programmes. The Youth Conservation Corps will provide opportunities for unskilled Filipinos in the environment field. Collapse text The British Prime Minister Gordon Brown released plans to develop a program which aims to engage 16-19 year old in community service projects alongside training. He expects young people to contribute one year full time service emphasizing "citizen's responsibilities". The government will support schools to provide service opportunities to pupils and pilot ways to successfully engage them in communities. This initiative, if put into action by a reelected Labor Party, would require young people to carry out service for the first time since the end of National Service in 1963. Collapse text New and Developing National Youth Service Programs The government of Botswana has recently launched a National Internship Programme (NIP) to absorb unemployed graduates to work in departments and ministries within Botswana. The Directorate of Public Service Management (DPSM) invites all unemployed graduates who are citizens of Botswana to register for the programme to create a database of potential candidates. This Programme is the first governmental initiative since the Botswana National Youth Service called "Tirelo Setshaba" was terminated in 1999. Collapse text On 25 June, 2009, South African Deputy Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs, Ms Rejoice Mabudafhasi launched the National Youth Service Programme pilot project on environment in Saldanha, Western Cape. The Department of Environmental Affairs will invest R25 million in three youth pilot projects until 2010. Unemployed youth 18 - 35 year old will be working on environmentally focused projects for one year. The project launch coincided with South Africa's current celebration of an Environment Month under the theme, "South Africa act now! Combat climate change." Furthermore President Jacob Zuma has officially launched the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) which aims to advance the economic development of young people. The Agency is expected to initiate programmes directed at poverty alleviation, urban and rural development, and combating of crime, substance abuse and social decay amongst youth. NIDA is also entrusted with creating an enabling environment for youth economic participation, learning and skill development. Collapse text The Maldives Volunteer Corps (MVC) will "soon work to provide teachers and health professionals", Vice President Dr Mohamed Waheed said. Furthermore the Maldives government is planning to establish a volunteer's trust fund. An International Volunteer Program is also planned that will bring teachers and health professionals to the country to cope with the shortage of skilled staff. These foreign professionals are supposed to train local staff to improve their skills. The government is considering expanding that program to others sectors depending on its success. Collapse text The government of Bangladesh has introduced plans to establish a National Service programme in the next fiscal year. Finance Minister Ama Muhith pointed out that the programme will recruit unemployed youth for a period of two years. After completing a six month training programme participants will be employed for instance in agriculture, social welfare, or housing projects. In its initial phase the scheme will be launched only in a few districts but expanded in the upcoming years. Collapse text Established Program - Successful Examples of National Youth Service For many years, National Youth Service programs have been used as a strategy to harness young people's potential and to engage them in meaningful activities within their communities. Governments around the globe successfully established national youth service programs in the past years to help young people develop important life skills and to stimulate their social responsibilities as citizens. Since its initiation in 2003, the National Youth Service (NYS) of South Africa has been creating opportunities for the involvement of young people in service activities that benefit the community. The NYS aims at providing young people a way out of unemployment, developing an understanding of their role as active citizens in a democracy and assisting them in participating in community re-integration and nation building. More than 25,000 young people have participated in category I projects that aim to engage unemployed youth and youth in conflict with the law. Young people are involved in a year of service and receive technical training as well as life skills orientation. Furthermore more than 9,000 students have participated in category II projects that engage students at higher education institutions while they are studying. Collapse text The Jamaica National Youth Service was first established in 1973 and re-launched in 1995 after unemployment, increasing school dropout rates and behaviour problems among youths became an issue for society. The National Youth Service manages a number of programmes including the Corps Programme. This programme offers a four week lasting career training and a "re-socialization residential orientation" followed by a six months job placement for high school graduates aged 17 to 24. Since 2001, more than 20,000 young people benefited from that programme and a study revealed that employability significantly increased for former program participants. Collapse text The Indian National Service Scheme (NSS) is a student program aiming at stimulating social consciousness of youth with an overall objective of student development through community service. The programme was launched on Mahatma Gandhi's birthday centenary in 1969. At the beginning, 37 universities were involving 40,000 students focusing on personality development through community service. Currently over three million students of more than 200 universities and several other educational facilities are engaged as student volunteers. The scheme operates under the assumption that "the welfare of an individual is ultimately dependent on the welfare of the society as a whole and therefore the NSS volunteers shall strive for the well-being of the society". The program intends to increase civic and social responsibility among the volunteers, develop an understanding of communities and build leadership qualities. Since its inception, more than 29 million students have been engaged in NSS activities as student volunteers. Collapse text |
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| Meet the IANYS Global Council | ||
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Compiled by Michael Lethem, ICP Intern
The
Global Council is the governing body of
IANYS and is made up of experts in the
field of youth service from around the
world. Currently
eleven countries are
represented on the Global Council. Dame
Elizabeth Hoodless, Director of the UK’s
Community Service Volunteers and organizer of
the 4th global conference of IANYS, is
the Global Council Chairperson. Don
Eberly, founder of IANYS, continues to
serve as the Association’s Honorary
President. Elisabeth
Hoodless, DBE - Global Council
Chair
Don Eberly
Susan Stroud - Director
Addys Then Marte
Agnes
Uhereczky Agnes Uhereczky is currently the
director of the Association of Voluntary
Service Organizations
(AVSO).
Ali Raza Khan Busani Ngcaweni Christopher Witt Jim Kielsmeier Licio
Palazzini
Marie Trellu
Maria Nieves Tapia
Reuven Gal
Yuanzhu Ding
We would
be delighted to create
a national youth service country profile
for your country. For this purpose please
use the template below and
send it back to Veronika Schlect at
icicp4@icicp.org.
Please feel free to
contact
us in cwith further questions!
IANYS
National Youth Service Country
Profile Template
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IANYS is pleased to announce that the 9th Global Conference on National Youth Service will take place at the New Bibliotheca Alexandrina (New Library of Alexandria) in Alexandria, Egypt in 2010! The IANYS conference will be organized in partnership with the New Bibliotheca Alexandrina, the John D. Gerhart Center for Philanthropy & Civic Engagement at the American University in Cairo (AUC) and Innovations in Civic Participation (ICP), the IANYS secretariat. Stay tuned for the save-the-date announcement and more information!
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Once a
month, join our Student
Peer Advisors,
Talloires Network staff, and students
from around the world to discuss
topics related to civic engagement and
students’ experiences in
initiating and managing community
outreach projects. First discussion: Wednesday,
June 17th, beginning at GMT 13h00 and
running for 24 hours
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| Connect with ICP |
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Innovations in Civic
Participation 1776 Massachusetts Ave, NW, Suite 201 · Washington, D.C. 20036 USA Tele: +1 (202) 775-0290 · Fax: +1 (202) 355-9317 info@icicp.org · www.icicp.org |
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of AmeriCorps" Obama
said. Challenges like the economic crisis and
climate change, as well as a growing
demand for human services and jobs are
posing "unprecedented challenges" for the
United States. But the current
situation is also an opportunity to
mobilize people throughout the country to
serve. In addition to the United
States, in many other countries such as
Liberia, South Africa, Great Britain,
the Maldives, Botswana, Bangladesh and
the Philippines, governments and heads
of state are leading the process of
establishing innovative new National Youth
Service programs. The schemes intend to
tackle challenges like youth
unemployment and environmental issues and
to actively engage young people in
their communities and in social service
activities.
The Talloires Network and the
MacJannet Foundation presented the first annual
MacJannet Prize for Global Citizenship at an
award ceremony on June 6 at the Tufts European
Center in Talloires, France. Representatives
from the first and second place winners
attended the ceremony and participated in
capacity-building workshops. The Talloires
Network wishes to thank the MacJannet
Foundation, Tisch College, and the Tufts
European Center for their support in organizing
a very successful and worthwhile ceremony
weekend. For more information, including the
winning programs please visit the