8. 8. 83 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 211/19 
people live (in addition to the infrastructure projects 
directly related to housing): 
— medical and hospital facilities, including special 
services in the area of post-natal care (very high 
infant mortality rate), paediatrics and retraining 
of the handicapped, 
— Schools and creches, 
— sports and leisure activity centres, which would 
seem to be the only possible meeting places for 
young people who have been placed in opposite 
camps as a result of the day-to-day strife, 
— street lighting and lighting in other public 
places. 
The Committee also feels that efforts should be 
made to improve roads, water supplies and public 
transport. 
7. The Committe again welcomes the emphasis 
placed on the additional nature of the funds made 
available by the Community, and notes that the 
principle of the additionality of expenditure is not 
only stressed in Article 5, but is also reinforced by 
the additional conditions laid down in Article 4: 
Done at Brussels, 1 June 1983. 
Francois CEYRAC 
Opinion on young people and their role in the development of the European Community 
A. LEGAL BASE FOR THE OPINION 
At its 197th plenary session held on 28 and 29 April 1982, the Committee, acting on a 
proposal from its Bureau in accordance with the fourth paragraph of Article 20 of its 
Rules of Procedure, decided to deliver an Opinion on its own initiative on the above 
matter. 
B. OPINION OF THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE 
The Economic and Social Committee prepared its opinion on the above matter at its 
208th plenary session held in Brussels on 1 and 2 June 1983. — the projects must not have been completed at 
the time the list of proposed investments is sub­
mitted by the Government. 
The Committee welcomes this addition, which helps 
to make the financing more transparent. 
The Committee would also like the additionality of 
Community aid to be viewed not only in relation to 
the total volume of national expenditure allocated 
to the investment projects necessary for urban rene­
wal, but also in relation to the vlume of expenditure 
allocated for this purpose in Northern Ireland and 
in the areas other than Belfast. 
8. The Committee feels that it is particularly 
important to ensure that the population is informed 
about the aid supplied by the Community 
(Article 11). 
9. The Committee stands by its favourable opinion 
on the previous Commission proposal and endorses 
the new version, its main concern being that a deci­
sion should be taken soon so that the Community 
can at last initiate the aid measures required in this 
area. 
The Chairman 
of the Economic and Social Committee 
The full text of the opinion is as follows: 
No C 211/20 Official Journal of the European Communities 8. 8. 83 
THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE, 
Having regard to the fourth paragraph of Article 20 
of its Rules of Procedure, 
Having regard to the plenary session decision on 
29 April 1982, following a proposal from the 
Bureau, to draw up an opinion on young people 
and their role in the development of the European 
Community, 
Having regard to the opinion adopted by the Sec­
tion for Social Questions on 5 May 1983, 
Having regard to the report made by the rapporteur, 
Mr De Bruyn, 
Having regard to the discussions on 1 June 1983 
during its 208th plenary session, held on 1 and 
2 June 1983, 
Whereas young people should be more closely and 
more vigorously involved in the development of the 
European Community; 
Whereas Community action in this area should be 
stepped up; 
Whereas the Community should not only make 
young people more aware of its activities, but also 
take more notice of the justified criticisms of its role 
and the progress it has achieved; 
Whereas Community action must respect the res­
ponsibilities and prerogatives of the Member States, 
HAS ADOPTED THE FOLLOWING OPINION 
unanimously: 
1. Introduction 
1.1. Most of our young people have a very vague 
picture of the Community, its origins and declared 
aims; on the whole, they do not identify very closely 
with its achievements and problems. There is little 
feeling of a Community identity. Rather, there is a 
general lack of interest and feeling of inability to 
play an active part in, and actually influence, the 
aims and pace of the work begun by the previous 
generation. 1.2. One reason for this is that young people tend 
to see the Community as an economic and legal 
body, with little appeal for the young. Accordingly, 
and with all due respect for the valuable work car­
ried out in the past by the Commission and others, 
the Committee has decided to play its part in revi­
talizing and expanding Community action in this 
area. 
1.3. It should be stressed that these measures must 
be planned and implemented in conjunction with 
national, regional and local institutions, and with 
the Community-level organizations representing 
social groups, with due respect for the different cul­
tures and traditions at European, national, regional 
and local level. These differences are one of 
Europe's greatest treasures. Cooperation must also 
respect the prerogatives of the Member States in 
education, and the different education systems. 
2. Aims 
2.1. The main aims of a Community programme 
concerning young people and their role in the 
development of the Community should be as fol­
lows: 
— to bring home to young people the still-relevant 
historical reasons (including the desire for peace 
and cooperation), behind the creation of the 
Community and its role and objectives in the 
contemporary economic, social and cultural 
context, 
— to make an objective appraisal of what the 
Community has yet to achieve, and of what 
should be done within it to help young people 
voice and achieve their ideals, 
— to develop a mentality which will foster an ever 
closer union between the peoples of Europe, 
— to show how the Community helps — or should 
help — young people to achieve the general or 
ethical ideals which they cherish, (including the 
problems of the third world human rights, and 
8. 8. 83 Official Journal of the European Communities NoC211/21 
the quality of life) and show them that the 
second generation Community (which will also 
be that of the third industrial revolution) offers 
one of the best chances, economically, socially 
and culturally, of meeting the challenges of the 
years to come, 
— to give young people the means, through 
exhaustive, objective information, contact and 
experience, of becoming fully aware of the 
Community's present situation and prospects, 
so that they can play an active role in identify­
ing and achieving Community goals, 
— to develop a feeling of solidarity and member­
ship of a larger community than those which 
young people usually encounter (town, region, 
country) by, for example, showing them what 
effect the Community can have on their day-to­
day life, 
— to improve understanding between Community 
citizens and fight prejudice — of whatever kind 
— by encouraging a greater awareness of the 
mentalities, cultures and traditions of its peo­
ples; this can be achieved by closer personal 
contacts between young people in the different 
Member States. 
2.2. It is sad but true that, too often, many young 
people still view the Community as a source of diffi­
culties and constraints, a tangle of legislation, and 
an expensive, cumbersome and ineffective bureau­
cratic machine. They feel that its activities are highly 
unlikely to positively influence their future and, 
more particularly, their job prospects (')• This atti­
tude in young people is only one aspect of a wider 
phenomenon — a lack of public interest in the 
Community institutions. 
2.3. To counter this over-gloomy or incomplete 
picture, we should not, of course, indulge in blatant 
pro-Community propaganda campaigns or conver­
sion drives, nor foist a common view of Europe on 
young people. Rather we should create the condi­
tions necessary for them to be able to understand 
(') See the Committee opinion on youth employment (see 
page 50 of this Official Journal). the Community — both its good points and its bad 
— and take an active part in building it. 
2.4. The increased importance of the European 
Parliament following its election by universal suf­
frage can provide a further opportunity for increas­
ing young people's awareness. Young people either 
already have the vote or soon will have — a new 
and far more tangible aspect than in the past. 
3. Spheres of action 
3.1. In order to attain the above-listed aims, mea­
sures will have to be adopted or stepped up in the 
following areas both inside and outside the school 
system: 
— basic and continuing training for teachers as 
they offer the best channel for measures to help 
young people, 
— giving a European dimension to teaching, based 
on appropriate documentation, 
— educational visits, contacts and exchanges 
(between young people), 
— foreign language teaching, and especially the 
teaching of a second common language as a 
means of facilitating cultural exchanges and 
promoting mutual understanding in Europe, 
— dissemination of information about the Euro­
pean Community, 
— paying special attention to the problems of 
migrant workers' children and young migrant 
workers. In this connection, the host countries 
must endeavour to ensure that school curricula 
cater for the need to teach second generation 
immigrants their mother tongue and to improve 
their knowledge of their native culture. 
3.2. The basic principles to be applied here are: 
— to promote and support new measures, includ­
ing those initiated by young people themselves, 
— to expand and make better use of existing mea­
sures, and facilitate their implementation, 
— to encourage collaboration and discussion 
between those involved, 
No C 211/22 Official Journal of the European Communities 8. 8. 83 
— to give priority to measures with potential multi­
plier effects, 
— to use new communication techniques to ensure 
the best possible diffusion of information, 
— to allow young people to voice their needs and 
explain why they feel as they do about the Com­
munity; 
— to give equal importance to: (a) young people's 
awareness of the extent to which the Com­
munity is fulfilling European ideals, and (b) the 
Community's awareness of young people's 
problems, and the way to improve this. 
3.3. In general, the Community has to become 
more outward-looking, forging direct links and 
mutual understanding with its young people. This 
involves more work and encouragement at grass­
roots level, so that the Community and its young 
people can arrive at common viewpoints and colla­
borate on joint measures and campaigns. 
4. Proposals 
4.1. The Committee has not forgotten that action 
has already been taken in some of the areas men­
tioned, by both official and non-official bodies, and 
that the energy of some teachers and youth leaders 
has also yielded positive results in specific areas. 
Such action should continue, be encouraged, and be 
supported by the Community, and the fact that the 
Community provides support be publicized. The 
main aim of these proposals is to give a new impe­
tus, and encourage a broad, coherent approach to 
the problems raised, with the emphasis on measures 
likely to have practical, visible effects on the day-
to-day life of young people in the Community. 
4.2. Some of the proposals are addressed more 
specifically to the Community institutions (notably 
the Commission, whose basic role is to stimulate 
and coordinate action), the Member States, or offi­
cial or non-official groups or bodies. However, their 
success will of course largely depend on close coop­
eration between all those involved with measures 
concerning young people and their role in the 
development of the Community. The Committee feels that special attention should 
be given to the following: 
— teacher training and refresher courses, and 
courses to increase teacher awareness of 
Europe; evaluation of needs, 
— experimental programmes for Community stu­
dies and language teaching, involving pilot 
schemes in selected schools, 
— history courses with a European dimension, to 
avoid the prejudices inherent in one-sided inter­
pretations of historical events, in order to 
develop a keen critical faculty; 
— supply of source material (maps, written and 
audio-visual material, etc.) to education esta­
blishments, youth movements, trade unions and 
so on, 
— encouraging language studies, 
— continued and deeper cooperation in higher 
education, 
— TV and radio programmes about the Com­
munity, geared to young people's interests and 
concerns (TV programmes for schools, cartoons, 
games, competitions, debates between young 
people, etc.), with consideration for young peo­
ple's special interest in free radio stations, 
— use of certain occasions (important dates for the 
Community, European Parliament elections, 
Community action on food aid and preserva­
tion of our cultural heritage) to explain the 
Community's activities, 
— twinning and direct contacts between schools 
and youth groups and organizations; 
— expand regional and local information to high­
light the impact of Community schemes on the 
everyday life of its citizens (Social Fund, 
Regional Fund, etc.), 
— greater Community emphasis on youth training 
activities outside the basic education system 
(Community vocational training centres, regular 
sporting fixtures between Community youth 
teams, European cultural centres, Community 
functions and meetings on subjects of interest to 
young people, European immigrants' associa­
tions, etc.), 
8. 8. 83 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 211/23 
— encourage exchanges and mobility (more educa­
tional visits and exchanges, independent coor­
dination centre for Community youth 
exchanges, exchange programmes for young 
workers, support for the setting-up of exchange 
facilities in countries which do not have any, 
sponsorship and support for bonafide youth 
exchange organizations, transport and accom­
modation concessions, twinning, etc.), 
— greater Community commitment at grass-roots 
level, for example by setting up a coordinated 
network of regional Community youth centres, 
staffed by young vigorous youth leaders drawn 
from the various sections of society, 
— a more active and more apparent commitment 
from MEPs and ESC members to establish dia­
logue with young people, in order to understand 
the special problems they face. 
4.3. To make these measures successful, back-up 
action must be taken in such fields as conditions of 
employment, social security cover and career pros­
pects for teachers, reciprocal recognition of studies, 
qualifications, and vocational training, financing, the organization of exchanges and meetings, and the 
elimination of red tape. 
5. Conclusion 
5.1. The hopes and interests of our young people 
are a force which could be better harnessed to fulfil 
the aims of the European Community. However, we 
should not dampen their enthusiasm by trying to 
impose on them an over-centralized view of the 
Community. The Community should undoubtedly 
encourage the incorporation of a European dimen­
sion in young people's education. But if the goal is 
to increase young people's role in the development 
of the Community, the Community must also adapt 
itself to the needs of young people. 
5.2. It must be realized that the success of mea­
sures in this area will be in direct proportion to the 
Community's ability to put forward its aims clearly 
and convincingly. Greater consideration will have to 
be given to young people's views, expectations and 
motivations in order to give them a full and active 
role in the work underway. 
Done at Brussels, 1 June 1983. 
The Chairman 
of the Economic and Social Committee 
Francois CEYRAC 
APPENDIX 
to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee 
(Rejected) Defeated amendment 
The following amendment, tabled in accordance with the Rules of Procedure, was rejected by the 
Committee during plenary session discussions: 
PageS 
3. Spheres of action 
Add an additional indent at the beginning of this section: 
No C 211/24 Official Journal of the European Communities 8. 8. 83 
'— the establishment of "task forces" throughout Europe who are capable of training the 
trainers of teachers and others who are involved in working with young people.' 
Voting 
For: 15, against: 50, abstentions: 24 
Opinion on the proposal for a Council Regulation on the strengthening of the common 
commercial policy with regard in particular to protection against unfair commercial 
practices 
The text referred to the Committee has been published in Official Journal of the Euro­
pean Communities No C 83 of 26 March 1983, page 6. 
A. LEGAL BASIS FOR THE OPINION 
On 17 April 1983 the Council, acting under the optional consultation clause of the 
Treaty establishing the European Economic Community, decided to ask the Economic 
and Social Committee for an opinion on the above-mentioned matter. 
B. OPINION OF THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE 
The Economic and Social Committee prepared its opinion on the above matter at its 
208th plenary session held in Brussels on 1 and 2 June 1983. 
The full text of the opinion is as follows: 
THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE, 
Having regard to the request made by the Council 
of the European Communities on 17 April 1983 for 
an opinion on the proposal for a Council Regula­
tion on the strengthening of the common commer­
cial policy with regard in particular to protection 
against unfair commercial practices ('), 
Having regard to the decision taken by its Bureau 
on 26 April 1983 instructing the Section for External 
Relations to draw up an opinion on the matter, 
Having regard to the opinion adopted by the Sec­
tion for External Relations at its meeting on 25 May 
1983, 
Having regard to the oral report made by the rap­
porteur, Mr Vercellino, 
(') OJ No C 83, 26. 3. 1983, p. 6. Having regard to the discussions on 2 June 1983 
during the 208th plenary session held on 1 and 2 
June 1983, 
HAS ADOPTED THE FOLLOWING OPINION 
by 118 votes to three with seven abstentions: 
1. The Economic and Social Committee thinks 
that the Community's commercial policy must take 
account more than ever before of the overriding 
need for the Community to continue to keep its 
frontiers open to imports from non-Community 
countries, and indeed to open them still more. 
Open frontiers make for a healthy industrial sector 
in the Community. Community production draws 
much of its strength from its exposure to interna-