A leading German foundation dedicated to civic engagement and volunteering has voiced concerns regarding a proposed national service year initiative spearheaded by Chancellor Friedrich Merz of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU).
Jan Holze, a board member of the Deutsche Stiftung für Engagement und Ehrenamt (DSEE), emphasized the fundamental principle of volunteerism in a statement to the “Rheinische Post”. He argued that strengthening existing volunteer structures, including expanding voluntary service programs and reducing administrative burdens for those involved, should be prioritized over implementing a mandatory social year.
Holze expressed skepticism about the potential benefits of such a program, suggesting that while it might funnel more individuals into service roles, these individuals would likely be characterized by a lack of genuine interest and motivation. This, he warned, could place an additional strain on organizations rather than alleviate existing challenges.
The foundation acknowledged a recent positive trend of increased civic engagement within the German population. However, it noted a shift towards shorter-term commitments, rather than sustained involvement in leadership and board positions. Holze stated that a social service year would be unlikely to effectively address this growing preference for brief engagements.
