17.06.09: The case for National Civic Service

On 17 June, 2009, 85 people drawn from the third sector, government, think tanks and business gathered to hear a compelling case made for some sort of National Civic Service for young people in the UK. The event, which was co-hosted by Prospect magazine and venture philanthropy fund, the Private Equity Foundation, featured a high profile panel chaired by James Crabtree, Deputy Editor of Prospect. Double Olympic gold medal winner, Dame Kelly Holmes, was joined by MPs Frank Field and Tim Loughton, Shadow Minister for Children and Young People, as well as the Chief Executive of IPSOS Mori, Ben Page, and Shirley Sagawa who has been called “a founding mother of the modern service movement” in the US.

The aim was to kick start a debate about National Civic Service and to take advantage of a political moment resulting from the convergence of recession, ongoing deep concern about the fate of the current generation of young people, and the impending general election. In addition, the forum provided a unique opportunity to hear how the Obama Administration is encouraging more people to serve their communities and to explore how insights from the American experience might help the development of a British model.

In the event, discussion quickly moved on from whether National Civic Service should be introduced, to how it might work in practice. Frank Field argued the need for a universal approach, if Britain is to avoid implementing just another scheme for disadvantaged young people, and favoured six months of compulsory service. Tim Loughton’s vision was for a voluntary programme consisting of a three week “challenge” for people from all social backgrounds, to be followed by 50 hours of community service to be delivered in partnership with many existing organisations.

Drawing on her experiences in sport, career in the British Army and with her DKH Legacy Trust, Dame Kelly Holmes addressed the importance of discipline, respect, camaraderie and social inclusion to young people and the need to give them a sense of belonging to a structured environment. Ben Page added that if there was one thing that the British public agreed on, it was that there’s not enough for teenagers to do, that they have too much freedom and not enough discipline.

Although much of the debate centred on how National Civic Service could be made compelling enough to engage a true cross section of young people, Shirley Sagawa said that recruitment had not been a problem in the US’ AmeriCorps scheme, helped by the award of a $5000 educational allowance. She emphasised that young people were drawn less by the idea of service but to causes which they cared about. Other strengths of the American programme highlighted included its flexibility, diversity, involvement of corporate partners and its contribution to the development of cutting edge field organisations.

Shaks Ghosh, Chief Executive of the Private Equity Foundation, said “Above all, this debate has highlighted that the time is right for National Civic Service in the UK. It was telling that most of the discussion focused not on if but how a programme might work, with many on the panel and in the audience making the point that much of the implementation should go through existing organisations which are already doing a huge amount for young people. With the latest figures showing that one in six 18 year olds are not in school, college or work and some concerned that a million under 25s could be unemployed by September, we need to look at every possible avenue to help this generation of young people.”

For further information please contact Rosie Davey at rosie@privateequityfoundation.org or call 020 7749 5129 / 07827 804066