Voluntary Ecological Year

The voluntary ecological year in Germany (abbreviated FÖJ) is an educational and orientation year for teenagers and young adults of ages 16 through 27. The FÖJ can be attended only once and usually lasts 12 months (from 1 September to 31 August of the following year). This service was accepted as an alternative service to military service during the period of conscription until 2011 and universities accept it as a semester on leave.

The service is financed and realized by the federal states and some agencies. The agencies also organize 5 seminars per year which must be attended by the participant. Apart from that, the participants have to be self organized.

Famous quotes containing the words voluntary, ecological and/or year:

    Her voluntary fruits, free without fees;
    Torquato Tasso (1544–1595)

    Could it not be that just at the moment masculinity has brought us to the brink of nuclear destruction or ecological suicide, women are beginning to rise in response to the Mother’s call to save her planet and create instead the next stage of evolution? Can our revolution mean anything else than the reversion of social and economic control to Her representatives among Womankind, and the resumption of Her worship on the face of the Earth? Do we dare demand less?
    Jane Alpert (b. 1947)

    The rarest of all things in American life is charm. We spend billions every year manufacturing fake charm that goes under the heading of “public relations.” Without it, America would be grim indeed.
    Anita Loos (1888–1981)