COUNCIL RESOLUTION

of 5 October 1995

on cooperation with third countries in the youth field

(95/C 296/04)

1. The Council recalls that in the resolution of the Council and Ministers of 26 June 1991 on priority actions in the youth field, the wish to intensify cooperation on exchanges and mobility of young people with the EFTA countries, the Central and Eastern European countries and in the context of the North-South dialogue was affirmed.

It notes that the conclusions of the European Council of 9 and 10 December 1994 at Essen call for the opening to the associated Central and East European countries of Community programmes - including 'Youth for Europe III', as well as for the strengthening of Europe-Mediterranean cooperation.

It emphasizes that Decision No 818/95/EC establishing the 'Youth for Europe III' programme (1), adopted by the European Parliament and the Council on 14 March 1995, gives impetus to exchanges with third countries.

It recalls the conclusions of the European Council of 26 and 27 June 1995 at Cannes concerning the struggle against racism and xenophobia.

It notes that the report of the Council of 12 June 1995 to the European Council at Cannes on the position that the European Union should adopt at the Euro-Mediterranean Conference in Barcelona, recognizes the importance of cooperation in the area of youth in order to foster exchanges amongst the civilian population and further dialogue between the European Union and its Mediterranean partners.

It welcomes the achievements in the area of exchanges with third countries in the framework of the priority actions for young people, as well as the work already carried out by the Council of Europe.

2. In relation to the areas indicated below, the Council recalls:

- the conclusions of the Council and Ministers meeting within the Council of 30 November 1994 (2) on the promotion of periods of voluntary service in the field of youth,

- the resolution of 31 March 1995 on cooperation in the area of youth information and studies concerning youth.

The Council, in conformity with the proposal set out at the European Council at Cannes, agrees to step up cooperation in the areas indicated below with third countries with which the Community has made association or cooperation agreements.

In the development of this cooperation, the principle of subsidiarity as defined in Article 3B of the Treaty establishing the European Community should be taken into account.

Areas

- Cooperation between governmental and non-governmental youth structures,

- Training of youth leaders,

- Information for young people,

- Youth exchanges,

- Voluntary service in the field of youth.

(a) Cooperation between governmental and non-governmental youth structures

The Council notes the uneven development of democratic youth structures in third countries and between these and Member States; this sometimes hampers the establishment of effective cooperation.

The Council deems it desirable to support the development of cooperation between these structures, fostering exchanges of information and experience on youth programmes developed at Community, national, regional or local level through study visits, internships and other activities.

(b) Training of youth leaders

The Council is aware of the fundamental role that socio-educational instructors including those in charge of youth associations play in intercultural learning amongst young people, in the development of values appropriate to a democratic society and in the respect and promotion of cultural diversity.

It underlines the importance of encouraging such youth instructors and persons in charge of youth organizations to take the social and cultural situation of third countries into account in their work with young people, supporting in this way the efforts of the Member States to prevent intolerance, racism and xenophobia and to foster solidarity.

It also draws attention to the need to support the development of training activities for youth leaders and persons in charge of youth organizations in third countries, taking into consideration the experience acquired in this area by the Member States and the Council of Europe.

(c) Information for young people

The Council emphasizes the importance of facilitating access by young people to clear, effective and full information in all areas that affect their everyday life, as it is essential to their active participation in society.

It indicates the need to encourage the development of youth information and counselling structures which promote the exchange of experience as well as the link-up to information networks that are already functioning in the Member States and third countries.

(d) Youth exchanges

The Council underlines the importance of exchanges between youth groups and associations in the Member States and third countries as they are appropriate tools for understanding different situations and cultures, developing mutual respect and solidarity, and preventing intolerant, racist and xenophobic conduct.

It considers that in the framework of Action D of Youth for Europe III, there is room for the exploitation of opportunities particularly for making a qualitative improvement in the exchanges.

(e) Voluntary service in the field of youth

The Council emphasizes the importance of promoting values of solidarity among young people as stated in Action II of the 'Youth for Europe III' programme.

In the spirit of the conclusions of 30 November 1994 on the promotion of periods of voluntary service in the field of youth, it recognizes the efforts made by the Member States and encourages the participation by young people in voluntary service activities to be developed in third countries, including developing countries, with which the Community has concluded association or cooperation agreements.

3. The Council:

- considers that priority should be given to the above areas in the implementation of youth cooperation activities with third countries,

- stresses the need to cooperate closely in this area with the Council of Europe and other international organizations,

- encourages the exchange, with the assistance of the Commission, of experience and good practice, resulting from existing cooperation with particular third countries and regions in the field of youth,

- invites the Commission to inform it of the follow up and evaluation of the activities developed during the preliminary phase of the implementation of Action D in the 'Youth for Europe' programme,

- invites the Commission to strengthen the connection between the activities developed in the framework of the 'Youth for Europe' programme and those that may develop in the framework of other Community programmes that envisage cooperation with third countries, and in so doing to take account of the existence in the Community of structures which could be called on to make their financial contribution to such activities,

- instructs the Permanent Representatives Committee to follow up actions which take place in the context of the present resolution - in so far as these actions are not covered by the 'Youth for Europe' programme and without prejudice to other legislative initiatives from the Commission - and, if necessary, to prepare appropriate guidelines for their further development.

(1) OJ No L 87, 20. 4. 1995.

(2) OJ No C 348, 9. 12. 1994.