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• Message from the British Prime Minister,
  MR. TONY BLAIR
  
  
• Message to the conference from
  HARRIS WOFFORD, CEO of the
  Corporation for National Service, USA

FROM THE BRITISH PRIME MINISTER,
MR. TONY BLAIR

A key theme of this Government is that individuals and their communities depend on each other. It is therefore important that as individuals we contribute what we can to support our community. I believe it is especially important for young people to show their commitment by giving their time and effort for the benefit of others. Where they do so, it goes a long way towards redressing the negative image which society often has of the young, whilst at the same time giving the young person greater self-confidence, supporting their learning and developing their commitment as a citizen.

All young people should have the opportunity to demonstrate the contribution they can make. We must be creative in enabling that to happen. The Department for Education and Employment's Millennium Volunteers programme has made an important start. It is heartening to see such international co-operation in developing volunteering internationally in the form of your Conference this week. Exchanging ideas, breaking down barriers and sharing good practice can only benefit all who participate. I wish you a successful and enjoyable Conference.

MESSAGE TO THE CONFERENCE FROM HARRIS WOFFORD, CEO OF THE CORPORATION FOR NATIONAL SERVICE, USA

On behalf of the Corporation for National Service, I send greetings and best wishes for a successful Fourth Global Conference on National Youth Service. I especially want to thank Elisabeth Hoodless and the staff of Community Service Volunteers for their leadership in organizing a meeting of so many people from around the world that promises to advance our common commitment to service.
In the United States, the Corporation for National Service provides opportunities for Americans of all ages and backgrounds to help solve community problems. We encourage all Americans to engage in service. Together, the Corporation's three main programmes - Americorps, Learn and Serve America, and the National Senior Service Corps - promote the ethic of service and help to meet the nation's educational, public safety, environmental, and other human needs. We are in the forefront of the effort launched at last year's Presidents' Summit at Philadelphia - convened by President Clinton and our former Presidents - and of the nation-wide campaign to fulfil America's Promise: the Alliance for Youth led by General Colin Powell.

In the United States, service has always been a strong feature of our culture, as observed by Alexis de Tocqueville in the early 19^th century. In the early years of the 20^th century, the philosopher William James called for all young men to tackle their countries' problems through a demanding term of national service that would be "the moral equivalent of war". During the Great Depression of the 1930's, President Roosevelt created the Civilian Conservation Corps that engaged millions of young men to serve on public lands and complete important environmental projects. In 1961, President Kennedy challenged young Americans to join the Peace Corps, and fired the imagination of an entire generation by his call to service. President Johnson created Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA) - as a "domestic Peace Corps" - which is now part of the larger Americorps programme established by President Clinton and Congress in 1993.

These developments in service are paralleled in other countries. In Israel, all young people serve their country in either military or civilian capacities. In Germany, alternative military service is the backbone of several social service systems. In one of his last messages, Mahatma Gandhi urged India to form a service corps, a service army to undertake a thirteen-fold constructive programme to bring literacy and healthcare and schools and agricultural co-operation and decency to every village in India. In Nicaragua, the national literacy crusade was carried out by university and high school students. Many current developments around the world will be shared at the Conference.

Each year, at the Corporation, we host visitors from other countries who are interested in the models of service that we have developed in the United States. We learn as much as our visitors in these exchanges about new approaches to service. Although I am not able to join you at Windsor Castle, I will look forward to a full report on your deliberations and to our continued collaboration.