Zivildienst

Zivildienst (German, translates roughly into "Civilian Service") is the name for the civilian branch of the national service systems in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. It is a means for conscripted persons who are conscientious objectors to fulfill their national service typically in the field of social works (e.g. hospitals, retirement homes, emergency medical services), and sometimes, although rare, in the field of environmental protection, agriculture, and public administration.
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n. national service, community service which provides a public service; civil service, government service, work in the government