Decision No 1934/2000/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 July 2000 on the European Year of Languages 2001
Date: 2000-07-17
Institutions: Council of the European Union, European Parliament
Subjects: EU programme, European language, European symbol

14.9.2000

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

L 232/1

I

(Acts whose publication is obligatory)

DECISION No 1934/2000/EC OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL

of 17 July 2000

on the European Year of Languages 2001

THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL OF THE
EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European
Community and in particular to Articles 149 and 150 thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission (1),

Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social
Committee (2),

Having regard to the opinion of
Regions (3),

the Committee of

the

Acting in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article
251 of the Treaty (4),

Whereas:

In the preamble to the Treaty,
the
Member States are: ‘Determined to promote the develop-
ment of the highest possible level of knowledge for their
peoples through a wide access to education and through
its continuous updating’.

is stated that

it

Article 18 of the Treaty establishes the right of every
citizen of the European Union ‘to move and reside freely
within the territory of the Member States’. The ability to
use foreign languages is essential
in order in practice
fully to exercise that right.

(5)

(6)

(7)

(8)

(9)

The languages question is a challenge that must be
tackled as part of the European integration process and
the European Year of Languages may therefore prove to
be highly instructive as far as the formulation of meas-
ures to encourage cultural and linguistic diversity is
concerned.

Article 6 of the Treaty on European Union states that
the Union shall respect fundamental rights, as guaran-
teed by the European Convention for the Protection of
Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms.

Access to the vast literary heritage in the languages in
which it was originally produced would contribute to
developing mutual understanding and giving a tangible
content to the concept of European citizenship.

It is important to learn languages as it enhances aware-
ness of cultural diversity and helps eradicate xeno-
phobia, racism, anti-Semitism and intolerance.

In addition to the human, cultural and political advan-
tages, learning languages is also of considerable potential
economic benefit.

(10) A command of

tongue and
knowledge of the classical languages, in particular Latin
and Greek, can make it easier to learn other languages.

the respective mother

Article 151 of the Treaty states that the Community
shall contribute to the flowering of the cultures of the
Member States while respecting their national and
regional diversity, and shall take cultural aspects into
account
the
Treaty. Among the cultural aspects, matters pertaining
to languages are of great importance.

in its action under other provisions of

(11)

(12)

All the European languages, in their spoken and written
forms, are equal in value and dignity from the cultural
point of view and form an integral part of European
cultures and civilisation.

It is important to raise awareness among public and
private decision-makers of the importance of easy access
to language learning facilities.

The Council Conclusions of 12 June 1995 on linguistic
diversity and multilingualism in the European Union
emphasised that linguistic diversity must be preserved
and multilingualism promoted in the Union, with equal
respect for the languages of the Union and with due
regard to the principle of subsidiarity. Decision No
2493/95/EC of the European Parliament and Council (5)
of 23 October 1995 establishing 1996 as the ‘European
Year of Lifelong Learning’ highlighted the importance of
the role of lifelong learning in developing competencies,
including linguistic, throughout an individual's lifetime.

(1) OJ C 56 E, 29.2.2000, p. 62.
(2) OJ C 51, 23.2.2000, p. 53.
(3) Opinion delivered on 17 February 2000 (not yet published in the

Official Journal).

(4) Opinion of

the European Parliament of 13 April 2000 (not yet
published in the Official Journal). Council Decision of 8 June 2000.

(5) OJ L 256, 26.10.1995, p. 45.

(1)

(2)

(3)

(4)

L 232/2

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

14.9.2000

(13)

(14)

(15)

(16)

‘Education,
Paper
The Commission's 1995 White
training, research: Teaching and learning:
towards a
learning society’ established as its Objective Four profi-
ciency for all
in three Community languages. The
Commission's 1996 Green Paper ‘Education, Training,
to transnational mobility’
Research: The obstacles
concluded that
two Community
languages has become a precondition if citizens of the
European Union are to benefit from occupational and
personal opportunities open to them in the single
market’.

‘learning at

least

Council Resolution of 31 March 1995 on improving
and diversifying language learning and teaching within
the education systems of the European Union (1) states
that pupils should as a general rule have the opportunity
of learning two languages of the European Union other
than their mother tongue(s)
for a minimum of two
consecutive years during compulsory schooling and if
possible for a longer period.

The measures in the Lingua programme, adopted by
Council Decision 89/489/EEC (2), were reinforced and
partially integrated as horizontal measures into the
Socrates programme adopted by Decision 819/95/EC of
the European Parliament and the Council (3). Those
measures have promoted the improvement of knowl-
the Union and have thus
edge of
contributed to greater understanding and solidarity
between the peoples of the Union. The European Parlia-
ment and Council in their Decision No 253/2000/EC (4)
propose that those measures be further developed and
the Socrates
reinforced in the
programme.

second phase of

the languages of

The Leonardo da Vinci programme, adopted by Decision
the European Parliament and the
94/819/EC (5) of
Council, has, building on the results achieved under the
Lingua programme, supported activities aimed at devel-
oping linguistic skills as part of vocational
training
measures. That support will be further developed and
reinforced in the second phase of the Leonardo da Vinci
programme,
adopted by Council Decision 1999/
382/EC (6).

(17)

The Culture 2000 programme adopted by Decision No
508/2000/EC (7) also contributes to improving mutual
understanding of the cultural achievements of the Euro-
pean peoples, especially by highlighting cultural diversity
and multilingualism.

(18) A multiannual programme to promote the linguistic
diversity of the Community in the information society
was established by Council Decision 96/664/EC (8).

(1) OJ C 207, 12.8.1995, p. 1.
(2) OJ L 239, 16.8.1989, p. 24.
(3) OJ L 87, 20.4.1995, p. 10. Decision as last amended by Decision

576/98/EC (OJ L 77, 14.3.1998, p. 1).

(4) OJ L 28, 3.2.2000, p. 1.
(5) Council Decision 94/819/EC of 6 December 1994 establishing an
action programme for the implementation of a European Commu-
nity vocational training policy (OJ L 340, 29.12.1994, p. 8).

(6) OJ L 146, 11.6.1999, p. 33.
(7) OJ L 63, 10.3.2000, p. 1.
(8) OJ L 306, 28.11.1996, p. 40.

(19)

(20)

The Report of the High Level Panel on the Free Move-
ment of Persons presented to the Commission on 18
March 1997, considered ‘the multiplicity of European
languages [to be] … a treasure to be safeguarded’ and
suggested measures to foster language training and the
use of languages in the Community.

Community-wide

In accordance with the principle of subsidiarity as
defined in Article 5 of the Treaty, the objectives of the
proposed action cannot be sufficiently achieved by the
inter alia because of the need for a
Member States,
coherent
campaign
information
avoiding duplication and achieving economies of scale.
Those objectives
achieved by the
can be better
Community, owing to the transnational dimension of
Community actions and measures. This Decision does
not go beyond what is necessary to achieve those objec-
tives.

(21) However, it is also important that there should be close
cooperation and coordination between the Commission
and the Member States, so as to ensure that measures
undertaken at European level are underpinned by small-
scale measures undertaken at local, regional and national
level which are likely to be more suited to the needs of
target groups and specific situations, and that cultural
diversity is strengthened as a result.

(22)

(23)

(24)

(25)

(26)

is important

It
to develop appropriate cooperation
between the European Community and the Council of
Europe so as to ensure consistency between measures
undertaken at Community level and those undertaken by
the Council of Europe, and such cooperation is expressly
mentioned in Article 149 of the Treaty.

It is important to take into account the fact that the
European Year of Languages will take place against the
background of preparations for the enlargement of the
Union.

This Decision lays down for the entire duration of the
programme, a financial
framework constituting the
prime reference, within the meaning of point 33 of the
Interinstitutional Agreement of 6 May 1999 between the
the Council and the Commis-
European Parliament,
sion (9), for the budgetary authority, during the annual
budgetary procedure.

The Joint Declaration of 4 May 1999 by the European
Parliament, the Council and the Commission (10) sets out
the arrangements for the implementation of the co-
decision procedure laid down in Article 251 of the
Treaty.

The measures necessary for the implementation of this
decision should be adopted in accordance with the
Council Decision 1999/468/EC of 28 June 1999 laying
down the procedures for the exercise of implementing
powers conferred on the Commission (11),

(9) OJ C 172, 18.6.1999, p. 1.
(10) OJ C 148, 28.5.1999, p. 1.
(11) OJ L 184, 17.7.1999, p. 23.

14.9.2000

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

L 232/3

HAVE DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:

Article 1

Establishment of the European Year of Languages

The year 2001 shall be designated as the ‘European Year

1.
of Languages’.

During the European Year of Languages, information and
2.
promotional measures will be undertaken on the theme of
languages, with the aim of encouraging language learning by
all persons residing in the Member States. These measures will
cover the official languages of the Community, together with
Irish, Letzeburgesch, and other languages in line with those
identified by the Member States for the purposes of imple-
menting this Decision.

Article 2

Objectives

The objectives of the European Year of Languages shall be:

(a) to raise awareness of the richness of linguistic and cultural
diversity within the European Union and the value in terms
of civilisation and culture embodied therein, acknowledging
the principle that all languages must be recognised to have
equal cultural value and dignity;

(b) to encourage multilingualism;

(c) to bring to the notice of the widest possible public the
advantages of competencies in several languages, as a key
element in the personal and professional development of
individuals (including in finding one's first job), in intercul-
tural understanding,
the rights
conferred by citizenship of the Union and in enhancing the
economic and social potential of enterprises and society as
a whole. The target public referred to above shall include,
among others: pupils and students, parents, workers, job
seekers, the speakers of certain languages, the inhabitants
of border areas, the peripheral regions, cultural bodies,
deprived social groups, migrants, etc.;

in making full use of

(d) to encourage the lifelong learning of

languages, where
appropriate, starting at preschool and primary school age
and related skills involving the use of languages for specific
purposes, particularly in a professional context by all
persons residing in the Member States, whatever their age,
background, social situation or previous educational experi-
ences and achievements;

(e) to collect and disseminate information about the teaching
and learning of languages, and about skills, methods (espe-
cially innovative methods) and tools, including those devel-
oped within other Community measures and initiatives,
which assist that teaching and learning including those that
are developed in the framework of other Community meas-
ures
communication
between users of different languages.

and initiatives

facilitate

and/or

Article 3

Content of measures

The measures designed to meet the objectives set out in Article
2 include,

in particular:

— the use of a common logo and of slogans together with the
Council of Europe in accordance with the provisions of
Article 10;

— a Community-wide information campaign;
— the organisation of meetings, competitions, prizes and

other activities.

Details of these measures are set out in the Annex.

Article 4

Implementation of the Decision and cooperation with the
Member States

The Commission shall ensure the implementation of the

1.
Community measures pursued under this Decision.

2.
Each Member State shall designate one or more appro-
priate bodies to be responsible for participation in the Euro-
pean Year of Languages, the coordination and implementation
at national level of the measures provided for in this Decision,
including thorough assistance with the selection procedure
described in Article 7.

Article 5

Committee

1.

The Commission shall be assisted by a Committee.

2. Where reference is made to this paragraph, Articles 3 and
7 of Decision 1999/468/EC shall apply having regard to the
provisions of Article 8 thereof.

3.

The Committee shall adopt its rules of procedure.

Article 6

Financial arrangements

1. Measures as described in Part I, Section A of the Annex,
may be financed up to 100 % by the general budget of the
European Union.

2. Measures as described in Part I, Section B of the Annex,
may be co-financed by the general budget of the European
Union up to a maximum of 50 % of the total cost.

Article 7

Application and selection procedure

1.
Applications for the co-financing of measures from the
general budget of the European Union under Article 6(2) shall
be submitted to the Commission through the body or the
bodies designated under Article 4(2). They shall include infor-
mation enabling the outcome to be assessed on the basis of
objective criteria. The Commission shall
take the utmost
account of the assessment provided by the bodies concerned.

Decisions on the financing and co-financing of measures
2.
under Article 6 shall be taken by the Commission in accord-
ance with the procedure set out in Article 5(2). The Commis-
sion shall ensure a balanced distribution among Member States,
where appropriate, among the various languages referred to in
Article 1 and among the different fields of activity involved.

L 232/4

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

14.9.2000

The Commission (in particular through its national and
3.
regional contact points),
in cooperation with the bodies
referred to in Article 4(2), shall ensure that calls for proposals
are made in sufficient time and circulated as widely as possible.

Article 8

Consistency

The Commission, in cooperation with the Member States, shall
ensure:

— consistency between the measures provided for in this
Decision and other Community measures and initiatives, in
particular those in the field of education,
training and
culture,

— optimal complementarity between the European Year of
Languages and other existing Community, national and
regional initiatives and resources, where these can contri-
bute to fulfilling the objectives of the European Year of
Languages.

Article 10

International cooperation

In the framework of the European Year of Languages, and in
accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 5(2), the
Commission may cooperate with relevant international organ-
isations.
In particular, there shall be close cooperation and
coordination as well as joint initiatives with the Council of
Europe, in order to strengthen links between the peoples of
Europe.

Article 11

Monitoring and evaluation

The Commission shall submit, by 31 December 2002 at the
latest, a detailed report containing objective information to the
European Parliament, the Council, the Economic and Social
Committee and the Committee of the Regions on the imple-
mentation, results and overall assessment of all the measures
provided for in this Decision.

Article 12

Entry into force

Article 9

Budget

This Decision shall be published in the Official Journal of the
European Communities. It shall take effect on the day of its
publication.

The financial framework for the implementation of this
1.
programme for the period 1 January to 31 December 2001 is
hereby set at EUR 8 million.

The annual appropriations shall be authorised by the
2.
budgetary authority within the limits of the financial perspec-
tive.

Done at Brussels, 17 July 2000.

For the European Parliament

For the Council

The President

N. FONTAINE

The President

J. GLAVANY

14.9.2000

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

L 232/5

I. Nature of the measures referred to in Article 3

ANNEX

A. Measures which may be financed up to 100 % from the general budget of the European Union (The indicative allocation for
these measures shall be 40 % of the overall budget which may be adjusted by the Commission in accordance with
the procedure set out in Article 5(2)).

1. Meetings and events:

(a) organisation of meetings at Community level and of events to raise awareness of linguistic diversity,

including the opening and closing events of the Year;

(b) organisation in each Member State of one or more presentations of the European Year of Languages, deemed

to reach large numbers of people from different social backgrounds.

2. Information and promotional campaigns involving:

(a) the development of a logo and slogans for the European Year of Languages, for use in the framework of all

activities linked to the Year;

(b) an information campaign on a Community-wide scale, including, among other things, the setting-up of an
interactive Web site and the dissemination of information on projects (including those referred to in
section C);

(c) the production of information materials, for use throughout the Community, which are also accessible to
socially vulnerable groups, on effective teaching and learning techniques and on the conditions for successful
language learning;

(d) the organisation of European competitions highlighting achievements and experiences on the themes of the

European Year of Languages.

3. Other measures:

Surveys and studies on a Community-wide scale, having,

inter alia, the aim of:

— better defining the situation in Europe with regard to languages (including sign languages and the classical
languages), their use (including in scientific and university research) and language teaching and learning and
the acquisition of related skills; as far as possible, all the languages referred to in Article 1 are concerned,
— better defining the expectations of different target groups (including those in bilingual areas) with regard to

language learning and the way in which the Community could fulfil those expectations,

— carrying out evaluation studies concerning the effectiveness and impact of the European Year of Languages,
language teaching and training and disseminating the results

examining best practice in the field of
throughout the Member States.

B. Measures which may be co-financed by the general budget of the European Union (The indicative allocation for these
measures shall be 60 % of the overall budget which may be adapted by the Commission in accordance with the
procedure set out in Article 5(2)).

Measures at local, regional, national or transnational level may qualify for financing from the general budget of the
European Union up to a maximum of 50 % of the cost, according to the nature and circumstances of what is
proposed. These may include,

inter alia:

1. Events around the objectives of the European Year of Languages;

2. Information measures and measures disseminating examples of good practice, other than those described in

Section A;

3. The organisation of prizes or competitions;

4. Surveys and studies other than those mentioned in Section A;

5. Other measures promoting language teaching and learning, provided that those measures would be ineligible for

funding under existing Community programmes and initiatives.

C. Measures receiving no financial aid from the general budget of the European Union

The Community will offer its moral support, including written authorisation to use the logo and other material
associated with the European Year of Languages, for initiatives undertaken by public or private organisations, where
those organisations can demonstrate to the satisfaction of the Commission that the intitiatives involved are or will
be in progress during the year 2001 and are likely to contribute significantly to one or more of the objectives of the
European Year.

II. Technical assistance

In carrying out these measures, the Commission may have recourse to technical assistance organisations, funding for
which may be provided for within the overall budget for the programme. It may, under the same conditions, have
recourse to experts. The Commission shall consult the committee referred to in Article 5 on the financial impact of
this assistance.