ROME – Once upon a time, conscientious objectors who did not want to pick up a weapon and do military service, which was compulsory at the time, could choose civil service, which was also compulsory. Now this is no longer the case: the naja was abolished in 2005, and young people have an additional opportunity before them, the civil service which has gone from national to universal (Scu) in 2017. It is voluntary, obviously, and also open to women.
“The Civil Service, in all its articulations and declinations – explains the minister of sport and youth Andrea Abodi – represents the most advanced expression of youth commitment that is combined with civic sense, for the common good. The certification of skills, the reservation of 15% of places in public competitions, the 15% update of the allowance that is awarded to young men and women who serve, the calls dedicated to the digital, environmental and agricultural civil service, the The latest “born”, which are added to the traditional universal civil service, testify to the desire of this Government to give a new, increasingly useful meaning to this wonderful experience of social generosity. The contribution of the bodies that configure the projects and give “body”, throughout Italy, to this experience for which we will ensure the future, with the necessary financial coverage, is indispensable and precious.”
As explained on the Department’s website, “universal civil service is the voluntary choice to dedicate up to one year of one’s life to non-armed and non-violent defense service of the homeland, to education, to peace between peoples and to the promotion of the founding values of the Italian Republic, through actions for the communities and the territory. It is open to all young people between the ages of 18 and 28 (29 years old), including foreigners regularly resident in Italy”. You receive an allowance of 507 euros per month, you do something useful and you also have fun (better than the former citizen’s income, right?). We are employed in various sectors which increase every year: civil protection; environmental heritage and urban redevelopment; historical, artistic and cultural heritage; education and promotion of culture, landscape, environment, sustainable and social tourism and sport; agriculture in mountain areas, social agriculture and biodiversity; promotion of peace between peoples, non-violence and unarmed defence; promotion and protection of human rights; development cooperation; promotion of Italian culture abroad and support for Italian communities abroad. The percentage of young people working abroad is low, 2 percent of the total, but these are young people with degrees who speak at least one language. There are many questions, approximately 115,000 in the last tender for 50,000 places. The next “window” opens on May 28th. The digital and environmental tenders will follow.
“A real boom, which arrived after Covid and with the Pnrr. There are also many girls interested in the universal civil service. Especially in the South, Campania, Puglia and Calabria. For many girls it is the opportunity to reduce gender inequality, to leave home, to make acquaintances and friends,” she explains Michele Sciscioliboss Department of Youth Policies and Universal Civil Service. There is strong attention to the social aspect and this experience is also useful for the future of young people. “Of course, there are greater chances of finding a job, not only the 15 percent of places in public competitions, but also in private sectors.” Furthermore, the curriculum acquires greater weight after the civil service: 624,360 young people volunteered from 2001 to 2022).
One problem remains: funding. Considering that the fund for the universal civil service is not structural but the amount can vary every year, 350 million of public resources guaranteed every year would be needed to be able to plan the future with greater serenity and to be able to tender 50,000 places every year .
Tags: boom universal civil service
