WRITTEN QUESTION E-1446/98 by Bartho Pronk (PPE) to the Commission (11 May 1998)

Subject: Socio-political adult education and its role in the Commission's education policy

Further to my question E-603/98 ((OJ C 310, 9.10.1998, p. 100.)) and your answer of 8 April 1998, I should be grateful for answers to the third, fourth and fifth questions I asked. Pursuant to Article 140 of the Treaty, the Commission must reply orally or in writing to questions put to it by the European Parliament or by its Members. Accordingly, you must provide information in response to questions by Members of the European Parliament. Does the Commission lack the information or does it take the line that it does not impart information to a Member of the European Parliament.

My questions are:

1. Is it correct that the Commission only supports socio-political topics when they are of immediate relevance to the Commission (e.g. the euro) but offers NGOs no prospect of financing for topics chosen by them?

2. What aid is available for NGO-run educational programmes on ethical subjects and problems or the methodology of socio-political adult education?

3. Is the Commission prepared to recognize and promote socio-political adult education as an educational sector in its own right in addition to university, vocational and school education?

Answer given by Mrs Cresson on behalf of the Commission (12 June 1998)

The Commission is aware of its obligations towards the Parliament and all European citizens with regard to information and transparency. It draws the Honourable Member's attention to the fact that information on the 'adult education' action within the Socrates programme is available to all citizens in the Socrates programme guide for applicants 1998, which is distributed in all the Member States. A copy of this guide is being sent direct to the Honourable Member and to the Secretariat of the European Parliament.

The Commission had considered that it would be able to respond satisfactorily to the Honourable Member's question E-603/98 with a general answer situating the question within the context of the Socrates programme and the policies concerning adult education. With regard to the Honourable Member's follow-up question, the Commission points out that:

1. Within the budgetary possibilities, financial aid is granted to quality projects which enhance the European dimension of adult education and promote the exchange of experience and the dissemination of knowledge in the field of adult education. Any topic relevant to the key questions in the area of adult education or the promotion of European citizenship among adult learners is eligible. The variety of topics within the projects financed shows that there are no constraints placed on the choice of topics by the Commission. The 'adult education' action has always paid particular attention to the involvement of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and associations. This commitment was recognised by the associations themselves when European associations in the field of education were consulted (February 1998).

2. The Commission supports projects submitted by NGOs or any other promoter which fulfil the criteria laid down in the guide for applicants.

3. The Commission promotes adult education, including socio-political training initiatives set up outside of university education, provided such initiatives meet the criteria mentioned in point 2.