WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1932/97 by Mirja RYYNÄNEN to the Commission. Establishment of a European group exchange programme for children/extension of Youth for Europe programme
Date: 1997-06-04
Institutions: European Parliament, RYYNAENEN
Subjects: EU Member State, EU programme, European citizenship, cultural pluralism, multilingualism, promotion of the European idea, secondary education, young person, youth exchange scheme

10. 2. 98

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 45/125

Normally,  for  the  structural  funds  an  immediate  first  advance  payment  of  50%  is  made  in  respect  of  new
commitments.  The  remainder  becomes  an  outstanding  commitment.  After  the  first  advance  payment,  further
payments can only be effected in line with the progress of implementation.

With an increasing level of commitments, the volume of outstanding commitments will necessarily increase. A
rising level of outstanding commitments, measured in absolute terms, cannot in itself be considered a problem.
On the contrary, it seems quite natural that this level would increase in the course of a programming period.

(98/C 45/160)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1932/97

by Mirja Ryyna¤nen (ELDR) to the Commission

(4 June 1997)

Subject: Establishment of a European group exchange programme for children/extension of Youth for Europe

programme

Children aged 10-15 are at a time in life when the basis is being laid for active citizenship. Before the age of 15,
attitudes  and  tolerance  are  learned  through  positive  personal  experience.  These  years  are  also  important  for
secure  social  development.  However,  at  present  the  EU  does  not  have  a  programme  of  its  own  for  group
exchanges  of  children  in  this  age  group  which  could  promote  these  objectives.  Nor  can  10-15-year-olds
participate in the Youth for Europe programme, which is intended for those aged 15-25.

1. What is the Commission doing to ensure that 10-15-year-olds can participate in group exchanges in the
various EU countries?

2. What else is the Commission doing to help this neglected age group to broaden its world view and learn
languages?

Answer given by Mrs Cresson on behalf of the Commission

(27 June 1997)

As the Honourable Member mentions, the decision for the informal education programme (cid:145)Youth for Europe(cid:146)
which is mainly focused on youth exchange is limited to young people between 15 and 25.

However, the framework of Socrates Chapter II Action 1 (Comenius), provides support for the development of
European education projects between schools and other educational institutions at all levels from that of nursery
to upper secondary schools. While this action does not support the mobility of young people it does provide a
context for the development of a genuinely European experience for pupils participating in projects which raises
their awareness of the cultures and languages of other European countries.

The Socrates programme Chapter III Action 1 (Lingua) provides support for the mobility of young people aged
14 and over within the framework of a joint educational project under Action E.

The Commission is currently engaged in a wide-ranging reflection on its proposals for the future development of
projects in the education, training and youth areas in the post 1999 period. It will be particularly anxious to ensure
that future initiatives respond to the need to provide all young Europeans with an educational experience which
sensitises  them  to  the  diversity  of  cultures  of  Europe  and  provides  them  with  a  basis  for  developing  as  true
European citizens.