91997E2447

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2447/97 by Marjo Matikainen-Kallström (PPE) to the Commission (16 July 1997)

Subject: Extension of the EU's youth programme to include early youth (under-15s)

Organizations working with the under-15s have proposed to the Commission the founding of a 'Children's Europe' group exchange programme to promote and support exchanges for groups of 10-15-year-olds in the EU Member States.

This could be a way of encouraging young people to form a picture of the world and gain knowledge of European peoples and cultures, supporting them in their development as good citizens, motivating them to learn languages and preventing the emergence of exclusion at an early age.

The EU's current youth programmes do not allow for participation by children of this age group. In Finland we have long and successful experience of treating young adults and under-15s (young people and early youth) as a single unit for action both in terms of assessment and support. I consider that the allocation of resources to meet EU objectives should be extended to cover this neglected group.

What does the Commission propose to do to ensure that young people under 15 can participate in future in the EU's youth programmes?

Answer given by Mrs Cresson on behalf of the Commission (8 September 1997)

The Socrates programme is the main instrument for the promotion of cooperation in the formal education sector within the Community. One of the overarching objectives of the programme is to contribute to the development of the European dimension of the participating educational institutions. Chapter II Action 1 (Comenius) is open to schools from nursery to upper secondary levels. The eligibility of educational institutions and types of schools is determined by the relevant authorities in each Member State participating in the programme.

Chapter III Action 1 (Lingua) provides support for the development of the teaching and learning of languages. Provision is made for the in-service training of language teachers and for the allocation of language assistants to primary and secondary schools. Lingua (Action E) also provides support for exchanges between groups of young people (14-25) who are involved in joint educational projects for the improvement of language competence.

While there is no specific funding available for the mobility of young people in the 10-15 age group, the emphasis on the development of collaborative projects involving whole class groups within schools ensures that all pupils involved in such projects benefit from a European dimension to their education.

Within the framework of the discussions on the education, training and youth programmes of the Community, the Commission is currently engaged in a process of reflection and discussion with the various partners the form and content of cooperation in the field of education in the period after 2000.