NoC 168/10 Official Journal of the European Communities 10. 7. 90 
Opinion on the proposal for a Council Decision establishing a trans-European mobility scheme for 
university studies (Tempus) (*) 
(90/C 168/08) 
On 12 February 1990 the Council decided to consult the Economic and Social Committee, under 
Article 198 of the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community, on the abovementioned 
proposal. 
The Section for Social, Family, Educational and Cultural Affairs, which was responsible for 
preparing the Committee's work on the subject, adopted its opinion on 9 April 1990. The 
rapporteur was Mr Nierhaus. 
At its 276th plenary session (meeting of 25 April 1990) the Economic and Social Committee 
adopted the following opinion: 
1. General comments 
1.1. The proposed European Foundation for Training 
and trans-European mobility scheme for university studies 
(Tempus) have the same objective: to stimulate Central 
and Eastern European economies by means of exchange 
programmes and know-how transfer in the field of 
vocational training. These Community projects, called for 
by the Council of Ministers at its meeting in Strasbourg on 
8 and 9 December 1989, are part of a general Community 
policy, the ultimate aim of which is, in the interests of 
peaceful coexistence, to reduce and eventually eliminate the 
disparity in living standards between Western and Central/ 
Eastern Europe. 
1.2. The Committee endorses the Tempus programme 
as emphatically as the European Foundation for Training 
(see separate opinion) because it sees the programme as an 
effective first step towards the use of vocational training as 
an additional way of serving an overriding political 
objective. The activities of Tempus, however, must in no 
way adversely affect similar existing or planned bilateral 
schemes between the countries of the European Com­
munity. 
1.3. The Tempus programme, which concentrates its 
activities on university teachers and students, can draw on 
a wealth of experience in the implementation of Com­
munity programmes having identical or similar target 
groups (Erasmus, Comett, Lingua, SPES, Science, etc.). 
This should make it all the easier to meet the proposed 
timetable for planning and implementation of the pro­
gramme. 
2. Specific comments 
2.1. The comments which the Committee made on the 
setting-up of the European Foundation for Training also 
(J) OJ No C 85, 3. 4. 1990, p. 9. apply to a great extent to the Tempus programme, so that 
there is in principle no need to repeat them here. The 
following requirements should be noted however: 
— there must be practical arrangements for appropriate 
involvement of the social partners in the Tempus 
programme, 
— an adequate flow of information, possibly via national 
coordination bodies, is needed if Tempus is to be 
effective, 
— the experience accumulated and the results of Tempus 
must be documented and made available to the 
participating organizations, 
— training policy, social protection and employment 
policy should be added to the list of activities in the 
Commission document. 
2.2. The Tempus programme activities must also 
include bringing about medium-term changes in the 
structure of universities and in higher education policy in 
Central and Eastern European countries (via contacts with 
universities in the Member States). 
2.3. In view of the target group at which the Tempus 
programme is aimed the Committee is glad that the 
principle of reciprocity in exchange programmes is being 
maintained. The number of exchange students going from 
west to east will be considerably smaller than that going 
from east to west, a fact which is reflected in the proposed 
budget. In the early stages the main advantage of the 
programme will be to offer Western European students the 
opportunity to perfect their knowledge of the language of 
the host country. At a later stage the accent should shift to 
giving students of economics the opportunity to familiarize 
themselves with the social and economic structures of the 
host country as a possible trading partner. 
2.4. The effectiveness of exchanges depends to a great 
extent on sufficient familiarity with the language, culture 
and society of the host country. 
io.7.90 COfficialJoumalofthe European Communities ^oCtD^n 
2.5. The possibility of using Action! to promote 
cooperation between universitiesfromEastandw^estin the 
early stages ofthe programme should be looloedintohfhe 
mother bodi^should include initial and further training 
establishments, particularly those run by employers^ 
1. I^he Committee endorses the Commission proposal 
and agrees thatasynchronized approach in the phasing of 
theprogrammealong withthe VouthforEuropepro-
gramme would provide foramore coherent and efficient 
set of arrangements. 
2. .Phe Committee therefore approves the extension by 
oneyearoftheperiodofvalidityofthecurrentprogramme, 
so thatafourth exchange programme can subsequently be 
presented in parallel with the renewed routh for Europe 
programme, and in the light of Commission assessments. 
3. l^he Committee would also nrge the Commission to 
envisagemeasures to reversethedeclineinlongterm young 
worker exchanges and toencourage moreparticipation 
from peripheral or disadvantaged regions.Phe particular organizations, trade unions and other participants in 
vocational training. 
Done at Brussels, 25 April 1990. 
^Ib^ro^A^oO^ 
needs of young workers in frontier areasmightalsobe 
given more appropriate attention. 
4. Clearly, successful participation in the exchange 
programme would be significantly aided byasteppingDup 
of Community measures to promote the mutual recogD 
nition of training qualifications, experience and diplomas. 
Done at Brussels, 25 April 1990. 
Alb^o^tA^^O^^ Camion on the proposal foraCouncil Decision amending Decision 84B636BEECestablishinga 
third jomtprogranune to encourage the exchange of young workers witlnn the Community 
(90^C 16^09) 
COn^O starch 1990theCounciloftheEuropeanCommunitiesdecidedtoconsulttheEconomicand 
Social Committee, under Article 198 of the Treaty establishing the European Economic 
Community, on the abovementioned proposal. 
TheSectionforSocial,Eamily,EducationalandCultural Affairs, which wasresponsible for 
preparingtheCommittee^s workon thesubject, adopteditsopinionon 9April 1990. I^he 
rapporteur was ^irDassis. 
At its 276th plenary session(meeting of 25 Aprill990) the Economic and Social Committee 
adopted the following opinion unanimously^