- Oliver Sepiso Shalala, Publicity Secretary,
University of Zambia Students' Union (UNZASU)

Oliver acknowledges that NYS is obviously useful, but notes that many young people might ask why they should do it? They should do it, because they are important vehicles for change in their own society and society at large. They are at a stage in their lives when their high level of physical energy and their responsiveness to new ideas should be channelled towards serving their community and improving the economic and social welfare of their country: "It is the duty of every young person to serve their country - it is not good enough just to sit back".

Successful NYS initiatives depend on first determining what needs to be done (based on the needs of the country), and how the young people will benefit and therefore be encouraged to serve. The needs will vary according to the country, but in the developing world, HIV/AIDS and drug abuse should be areas of special attention, as more lives could be saved through preventative awareness campaigns. In terms of benefits for the young people, there should be recognized certification of achievement, compensation for expenses and other living costs, greater publicity of the skills that young people can acquire through service, support and advice during the service period, and the opportunity to socialise/play sports etc with other service members.

Oliver's recommendations include: government loans or other assistance to help NYS participants gain employment and put their new skills to use after their service period ("What is the use of being given a skill if I am not empowered to use it later in life?"); remuneration and worthwhile service experiences to encourage uneducated young people, and particularly, the rural poor existing at subsistence level, to take part in NYS; integrative, not segregative NYS schemes to break down barriers and encourage co-operation and mutual respect between young people from different cultures, social classes and religions; involvement of young people in NYS decision-making; regional conferences on NYS to enable attendance by poorer countries and build regional NYS networks; strong links between IANYS and UNESCO and the UN; internationally recognized certificates of achievement for NYS participants; and the creation of an NYS standing conference on the Internet, and an IANYS newsletter.