Italian Chamber Approves Youth and Universal Civil Service Bill

On 8 July the Chamber of Deputies in Italy concluded the parliamentary debate on the government’s “Giovani e Servizio Civile Universale” (Youth and Universal Civil Service) bill and sent it to the Senate for further examination.

The National Council of the Civil Service (CNESC) highlighted two priority issues. First, it warned that the draft legislation does not acknowledge the role of the third sector, volunteer operators, or the Consulta Nazionale del Servizio Civile, which have been central to the civil service’s development in Italy. Second, the council stressed that the civil service must remain a non‑work, non‑exploitive activity dedicated to the non‑violent defence of the nation. CNESC President Laura Milani said the council will continue to contribute to the legislative process and to the drafting of implementing decrees, urging that the third sector’s role be fully recognised.