National Youth Service :
A Global Perspective
Donald J. Eberly, Editor
National Service Secretariat , Washington, D.C.Based on the advanced papers and discussions held at the conference, National Youth Service : A Global Perspective, held at the Wingspread Conference Center, Wisconsin, 18-21 June 1992.
Contents page
Introduction
1: National Service Programs and Proposals
Profiles of National Service
2: Aspects of National Youth Service
Appendix A: Global Conference Participants, June 18-21, 1992
Appendix B: Annotated Bibliography
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2. Aspects of national youth service
An Agenda for the Future
As stated in the communique that follows this section, the conference unanimously recommended future global conferences and the continuing exchange of information. These initiatives would permit the further exploration of a number of issues that arose during the conference but were not resolved, whether because of the limited time available or because they are more suitable for country-by-country resolution.
Several issues focused on responsibility: Who should manage and pay for national service? Which functions should be decentralized and which reserved by the central government? What is the appropriate role of the private sector in national service?
Another set of issues concerned the basic national service concept. Mr. Bao said, "We need to develop a theory of national service." General Chibber stated, "National service is essentially an instrument of developing human values." The conferees discussed how youth service should fit into the larger policy framework suggested by Mr. Alok, and sought a common definition of national service.
Research needs also were identified: What kinds of baseline data are needed? What makes a program successful? How should program effectiveness be evaluated?
Conferees suggested several other topics that deserved further consideration, including the relationship between national service and human rights, women's rights, environmental protection, economic development, population, and understanding among races.
That conferees did not agree on all issues was regarded by Daniel O'Laughlin, consultant to the W. K. Kellogg Foundation, "not as a weakness but as a tremendous strength....it represents an opportunity for pluralism, and that is where we discover our common humanity and goodwill."
Conferees spoke of expanding the national youth service network to other countries and of developing links with the United Nations and various regional bodies. They also mentioned a number of international youth service initiatives with which they were associated. Among those cited were Mr. O'Brien's work with the Coordinating Committee for International Voluntary Service; Mr. Rochte's work with the U.S. National Association of Service and Conservation Corps to develop a World Conservation Corps proposal; and Mr. Eberly's work with Hanne Strong, president of the Manitou Foundation, in preparing a prospectus for an Earth Restoration Corps. Mrs. Hoodless recommended consideration of a new kind of UN passport for international volunteers.
Conferees supported the extension of National Service Fellowships as a means to learn about national service policies and procedures in other countries. The Fellowships were announced as a pilot project of the National Service Secretariat late in 1991. Mrs. Cyrilene Willoughby, an official of the Barbados Youth Service, became the first Fellow in May 1992, when she was hosted by PennSERVE in Pennsylvania. At the conclusion of her visit, she said that she would make a number of recommendations to the Barbados Youth Service as a result of the visit. Also, at the request of the director of the Pennsylvania Conservation Corps, Mrs. Willoughby said she would explore arrangements for several Corps members to visit Barbados for a week or two and to work alongside members of the Barbados Youth Service.
With regard to facilitating the continuing exchange of information and personnel, Professor Jon Van Til of Rutgers University reported on his conversations with members of the conference. He said, "It is clear that the Conference recognized the standing of the National Service Secretariat as the most appropriate facilitator of the international network in national youth service, and that its members stand ready to participate vigorously in its extension and development."
Although the full impact of the conference will not be known for some time, the assessment made by Mr. McCloskey represented those of other conferees. He said that he had learned something from each person at the conference, and that he believed he was speaking for the other Commission members present -- Mr. Khazei and Mrs. Maria Ferrier with the San Antonio School System -- as well as for the entire Commission when he said, "The Commission will try to translate what was learned at the conference into governmental action."
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