Civil society, community service and university students

Connection points, future perspectives

Abstract

The study examines the relationship between civil organizations and higher education institutions, with particular regard to university students’ knowledge and commitment to the civil sphere, as well as its strengthening. The starting point of the research is that community service was introduced in public education in 2011. The aim of this step was, among other things, community service that can be performed at civil or non-profit organizations, whose principles of activity include the principle of independence from financial interests, as well as the principle of strengthening local communities. The activity performed by the student must be defined in such a way that the student can experience the joy of selfless helping and giving. Starting from this mandatory activity, the aim of the research is to map the level of knowledge university students have about the civil sphere, and how motivated they are to provide selfless, helpful support to civil organizations. In addition, it examines how attractive the graduate students find it to complete their professional practice in part or in whole at NGOs, as well as explore the motivations behind their decision. The study also formulates suggestions on how knowledge related to the civil sphere could be more effectively integrated into university education and what steps are necessary to establish closer cooperation with civil society organizations, which in the long term support and strengthen the activities of civil society organizations, as well as those entering the world of work. It also encourages students’ willingness to help selflessly, which is also essential in achieving the goals related to sustainability.