91999E2741

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2741/99

by Bart Staes (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(18 January 2000)

Subject: Initiatives aimed at promoting multiculturalism embracing the protection of regional identities as well as the protection of the identities of citizens who are immigrants resident in the Member States of the Union

In several Member States, including the Netherlands, the universities and the private and state schools are experimenting with educational methods for immigrants, from both outside and within the Community, which involve the teaching of the languages of the country of residence using their own native languages and cultures.

These methods are proving to be very effective and have been successfully applied in a regional context, for example in the Frisian region, where the so-called regional or minority language is also taught to immigrants, which represents a further step towards their full integration. Ensuring that all identities at all levels are valued is, moreover, an effective means of combating phenomena such as xenophobia, racism and the emergence of political and cultural extremism.

Can the Commission say what it thinks of the idea of evaluating initiatives and providing funding at European level in order to promote multicultural teaching methods which reflect all levels of identity for all citizens, from local and regional identities to those of immigrants legally resident in the Member States of the European Union?

Answer given by Mrs Reding on behalf of the Commission

(1 March 2000)

The Commission has a long tradition of supporting initiatives aimed at promoting multiculturalism and the integration of immigrants resident in the Member States. This tradition dates back to the adoption of Council Directive 77/486/EEC of 25 July 1977 on the education of the children of migrant workers(1).

Since 1977, the Commission has always included in its working programmes intercultural education as a means to learn to cope in a positive and active way with social and cultural diversity. This spirit inspired the whole Socrates programme, n which there has been a specific action within Comenius dealing with intercultural education and migrant children. The initiatives covered by this action are and will be encouraged and funded in the second phase of the Socrates programme since intercultural education prepares future generations for living together in a democratic, plural society and contributes to the provision of equal opportunities for all citizens.

As the Honourable Member will be aware, in addition to the activities of the Socrates programme, the Commission provides some financial support for measures to promote and safeguard regional or minority languages and cultures. Priority areas include educational projects and teaching materials.

The languages intended to benefit from this action are the autochtonous languages traditionally spoken by a part of the population of Member States, or of European economic area (EEA) countries. The Commission is currently examining the feasibility of proposing a multiannual action programme in this area.

(1) OJ L 199, 6.8.1977.