View Content #1806
| Contentid | 1806 |
|---|---|
| Content Type | 1 |
| Title | German program: volunteer service after high school |
| Body | Editor's Note: This article and the related website may be of interest to teachers of high school seniors, perhaps during a project about careers and imagining the future. Students could imagine a volunteer position that they would enjoy. The value of volunteerism is another topic for discussion. For more information about the volunteer program, visit: http://www.foej.de/ The German government last Friday honored the more than 300,000 young people who have asked what they can do for their country over the past 40 years by participating in Germany's social volunteer program, a unique means of subsidized social engagement that has become a pillar of the societal framework. Funded by the federal government, the project allows recent secondary school graduates to devote themselves to bettering their communities for a year before embarking on a career or beginning university studies. "Voluntary services offer something something precious something that holds our society together," said Family Minister Renate Schmidt. "It's about being together with others, loving your neighbor, and solidarity. That can neither be forced through a law, nor through an ordinance." The past couple years have been especially successful for the program, which places young adults in retirement communities, at hospitals, and in programs in dire need of extra hands. Calling the voluntary social year an excellent opportunity for all ages, not just recent secondary school graduates, Schmidt called on Germans of all ages to lend a hand in helping make their country better for everyone. Next fall, a new initiative will be launched that extends volunteer opportunities to those outside of the 16-27 year-old age bracket. Apart from instilling in its participants an appreciation of altruism, many voluntary positions also offer valuable practical experience for those thinking about entering careers in related fields. Germany's special program for social engagement in ecological issues, called the "Voluntary Ecological Year," is being especially touted for allowing young people to gather practical work skills while developing values that fit with Germany's forward-thinking environmental policies. |
| Source | The week in Germany |
| Inputdate | 2004-07-15 19:20:00 |
| Lastmodifieddate | 2004-07-15 19:20:00 |
| Expdate | Not set |
| Publishdate | Not set |
| Displaydate | Not set |
| Active | 1 |
| Emailed | 1 |
| Isarchived | 1 |
