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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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”.

6. 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

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

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

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

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

11. 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

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

13. 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

14. 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.

15. 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.

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