Latest update: 23/03/2011 

- Germany - military


National Service to disappear - but so will its army of young volunteers

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National Service will soon come to an end in Germany and any new recruits will all be volunteers. It's the biggest shake-up to the German army since the end of WWII and the repercussions will be felt all through society. 1 in 2 young people refuse to join up and so they serve their National Service in the community, working in old peoples' homes, hospitals and so on. They've become such an essential part of the system that these institutions are worrying how they'll cope without them.

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By Abby D'ARCY HUGHES / Anne MAILLIET / Brice BOUSSOUAR

Programme prepared by Kate Williams, Marie Billon and Patrick Lovett

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