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David Cameron today unveiled pilot plans for a National Citizen Service designed to teach 16-year-old school leavers social responsibility as part of the prime minister's "big society".
The government-backed pilots, planned for next summer, will provide around 10,000 places, and are expected to pave the way for a wider rollout.
Cameron said the scheme would encourage people from different social backgrounds to mix, and would help address the "tragic waste of potential in this country".
NCS is a key part of the "big society" agenda set out by the prime minister earlier this week in Liverpool, and will involve activities designed to introduce young people to the concept of civic responsibility as they make the transition into adulthood.
Partners from the youth sector are to be invited next month to submit bids to provide individual projects.
But the Cabinet Office admitted it was unclear how much money would be allocated to the pilot schemes until the outcome of the autumn spending review, when the government will review budgets to try to reduce the structural deficit.
Prior to becoming prime minister, Cameron originally pledged £50m for the pilots when, flanked by actor Michael Caine, he launched plans for his voluntary national service.
Cameron said he would redirect the funding from the government's "prevent programme", which is designed to combat extremism.
The pilots will take place from June to September, following the the exam period, and will bring people from different backgrounds together in a residential and home-based programme of activity over a seven- to eight-week period.
Participants will spend a minimum of 10 days and nights away from home, and activities are expected to include an outdoor challenge, a set of structured tasks involving visiting and helping the local community and, in consultation with local communities, designing a social action task.
Announcing the pilots today at a Downing Street event, Cameron said the scheme could inspire a generation of young people to be part of the "big society".
"The young people of this country are as passionate and idealistic as any generation before – perhaps more passionate," he said.
"But too many teenagers appear lost and feel their lives lack shape and direction. National Citizen Service will help change that. A kind of non-military national service, it's going to mix young people from different backgrounds in a way that doesn't happen right now.
"It's going to teach them what it means to be socially responsible. Above all, it's going to inspire a generation of young people to appreciate what they can achieve and how they can be part of the 'big society'."
The pilots were welcomed by the Community Service Volunteers –a leading volunteering charity.
Dame Elisabeth Hoodless, the executive director of CSV, said: "2010 is a historic turning point and a timely moment to look at nationwide community service in a fresh light. The crisis in care for frail elderly people who would prefer to remain in their own homes; the growing need for support for families under pressure; the alarming drop out rates from higher education and the escalating rate of youth unemployment reinforces the benefits to our young people and to our communities of a year of full-time service for 18-year-olds. Finland, France, Germany, Israel and Italy have all taken the plunge. Why not here and now?"
A two-month scheme involving 470 teenagers from London and Birmingham by the Challenge Network is seen as an early pilot for Cameron's plans.
Boris Johnson, the London mayor, has chipped in £100,000 of Greater London Authority funds to the three-week course, which is made up of seven days on outdoor challenges, seven days' study at a university campus, and a final week at home, where youngsters will be invited to research some of the key issues facing their communities and commit to delivering a project in their local neighbourhood.
Now can I resist the temptation to suggest that Posh Boy Cameron, who was largely raised by hired hands in boarding schools, probably isn't the best-qualified person to comment on who's best at instilling values in the young?
It needs a snappier title. How about "The Cameron Youth"?
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