Unis-Cité, France Presentation at IANYS’s 6th conference on National Youth Service September 2002

National Youth Service the context in France 1) youth occasionnal volunteering is quite developed but not particularly promoted & valorized 2) Full time volunteering is still illegal, beside : voluntary service in developing countries - recognized and government funded - not much developed civil form of military service for French boys - suspended in 1998

National Youth Service the context in France (suite) since March 2000, a national “Voluntary Civil Service” allows French & European young people (18 to 28) to volunteer full time : in French businesses and ambacies abroad for internal security and customs Voluntary Civil Service “for social cohesion and solidarity”has been made provision for by law but is not implemented  Unis-Cité is the most important full time voluntary service program in France

Unis-Cité, United for the City A French independant non-profit created in 1994 to experiment & lobby for a global NYS in France : _ to gather young people from all backgrounds & fight against racism and preconceived opinions _ to give youth the opportunity to build tomorrow’s society and to fight exclusions “on the field”.

Unis-Cité A full time voluntary service _ for 17 to 25 year-old young people, from all educational, social & religious backgrounds _ involved for 6 to 9 months full time to serve community and fight against exclusions in France. _ working in teams on concrete social projects with existing French not-for-profit organizations. _ 1/5 of their service is devoted to a “citizen and professional development training”. _ To live, a monthly stipend of 382 Euros and tranportation costs and liability insurance covered

Festival du Service Volontaire 28 et 29 mai - Paris & Lyon

Festival du Service Volontaire 28 et 29 mai - Paris & Lyon

Festival du Service Volontaire 28 et 29 mai - Paris & Lyon

Festival du Service Volontaire 28 et 29 mai - Paris & Lyon

Accomplishments after six years : _ 350 volunteers hosted for 9 month full time _ about 250 service projects achieved _ programs developed in 5 major cities in France, with head office in Paris _ financed both by private partners and public collectivities & Ministries _ a unique “Volunteer Day of Action” mobilizing 300 people every year since 95 _ In 99, a “Festival of Youth Voluntary Service” to increase lobby for a global national program _ important media coverage _ Government recognition

Festival du Service Volontaire 28 et 29 mai - Paris & Lyon

The impact on young people’s life _ A year off to better understand society and their role as active citizens 88 % of UC volunteers better understand society after their service year _ A year to experience diversity and teamwork, a year to learn about others and increase their adaptation skills _ A year of deep personal & human enrichment 88% of UC volunteers feel more lucid about their own capacities after their service 66% of them feel more self-confident and more responsable for their own life

The impact on young people’s life (suite) _ A year off to prepare their own professional life : _ a pause to meet people and think of their own project _ a way to create new networks _ a way to develop new skills è 90 % of UC volunteers found a job after their service è about 50% of those without college degree resumed studying.

Perspectives... Come to a mean ingfull national youth service program in France _ A proven benefit both for youth and for the community as a whole _ no adapted legal framework and substancial public funding to develop the concept in France è Unis-Cite will go on lobbying so that one day it will become natural in the eyes of every one, that every young people in France, French or non French & from all backgrounds, should spend a year serving the community.

Festival du Service Volontaire 28 et 29 mai - Paris & Lyon