Civic service for action for development is intended to train young volunteers for a trade, but has to adapt to the needs of each country in order to support national development. With its link to the military environment, for this ambitious programme to succeed requires three conditions to be fulfilled concurrently. The benefits to be had are numerous and include combating the neglect of youth and the over-manning of the forces, restoring harmony between the population and the armed forces, conducting the process of disarmament, demobilisation and rehabilitation and esta- blishing long-lasting security and stability in Africa.