 6 February 2024  09.00-13.30 CET  Trento, Italy
The conference was funded by the European Union via European Union’s Recovery and Resilience Facility “NextGenerationEU”, and implemented by the OECD Trento Centre for Local Development and the OECD Public Governance Directorate, in cooperation with the Directorate-General for Structural Reform Support of the European Commission
The context
The Universal Civil Service (UCS) holds immense potential for the Italian economy and society. The ‘voluntary’ approach for young people transforms the conventional idea of a “mandatory service”, in Italy in force from 1960s to 2005, into a mutually beneficial platform for personal growth and community progress. At its core, it is an inclusive approach that encourages all eligible citizens to actively contribute to the country's development.
In terms of youth, there is evidence that young people's involvement in various sectors such as health, education, infrastructure and environmental initiatives not only strengthens their communities but also provides valuable skills and experience. It has also been proved that this exposure, coupled with training and development opportunities, enhances their employability upon completion of their service. Furthermore, by filling critical gaps in public services, universal civil service promotes economic stability and growth in the country.
The event was organised within the framework of the TSI project entitled ‘Supporting design and implementation of the universal civil service RRP project, to unlock youth employment opportunities.
The project aims to expand the UCS’s vision by pursuing both volunteering and employability objectives. The reports developed by the OECD examine the existing legislation and identify procedures, processes, and administrative barriers for all stakeholders, proposing reforms and solutions to make the UCS more effective and efficient.
The event
The event aimed at discussing the key aspects of the Italian UCS and trying to answer the following questions:
- What skills and experience are acquired during the UCS, and how are they certified?
- Does the UCS improve the employability of young people in the private and public sectors?
- What are the shortcomings of the Italian national law and practice on the UCS?
- How UCS is implemented in Italy and what are different practices?
- How do young people perceive the UCS and what are their personal experience?
- What is the possible and desirable future for the UCS in Italy?
Participation
The event, in-person, was open to civil society and all those interested in the topic upon free registration.
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