26. 10. 95 Official Journal of the European Communities No L 256/45 DECISION No 2493/95/EC OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of 23 October 1995 establishing 1996 as the ‘European year of lifelong learning’ THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Articles 126 and 127 thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the Commission (), Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee (%), Having regard to the opinion of the Committee of the Regions (%), Acting in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 189b of the Treaty (%), Whereas the European Council of Brussels (10 and 11 December 1993) took note of the proposals of the Commission in the White Paper on Growth, competitive- ness and employment ; whereas education and training can make a contribution in respect of economic and social change and the fight against unemployment; whereas the establishment of a ‘European year of educa- tion and training’ proposed in the White Paper could be a signal for clarification of the essential requirements and the long-term objectives in the fields of education and training in the Community; Whereas 1996 will be the year in which the Leonardo Da Vinci action programme adopted by Decision 94/819/EC(°) and the Socrates action programme, adopted by Decision No 819/95/EC (f), which constitute the second generation of Community education and trai- ning programmes, come into their own; Whereas the Structural Funds and in particular the Euro- pean Social Fund, and the Community initiatives which (") OJ No C 287, 15. 10. 1994, p. 18 and O] No C 134, 1. 6. 1995, p. 6. Q) Opiﬂi(ﬁl delivered on 23 November 1994 (O] No C 397, 31. 12. 1994, p. 15. . (*) Opinion delivered on 16 November 1994 (not yet published in the Official Journal). () Opinion of the European Parliament of 16 March 1995 (O] No C 89, 10. 4. 1995, p. 123), common position of the Coun- cil of 20 April 1995. OJ No C 130, 29. 5. 1995, p. 13) and decision of the European Parliament of 15 June 1995 (O] No C 166, 3. 7. 1995). () OJ No L 340, 29. 12. 1994, p. 8. (& OJ No L 87, 20. 4. 1995, p. 10. drive therefrom, particularly the Adapt(") and Employ- ment () initiative, will enhace quality education and trai- ning ; Whereas the continuing adaptation of education and trai- ning systems to these new requirements is a strategically important task for Europe, since the competitiveness of the European economy and the stability of society in Europe are built up through knowledge, know-how and common basic views ; whereas the attractiveness and pres- tige of vocational training are heavily dependent on the attachment of equal value to the channels of general education and vocational training as well as the social recognition of qualified professions ; Whereas the role of lifelong learning is becoming funda- mental in order to secure personal fulfilment, imparting to the individuals concerned such values as solidarity and tolerance and furthering participation in democratic deci- sion-making processes ; whereas it is equally important to enhance long-term employment prospects ; whereas the White Paper on Growth, competitiveness and employ- ment stresses that education and training will undoub- tedly make a contribution to the renewal of growth, the recovery of competitiveness and the restoration of a high level of employment; Whereas, according to the aforementioned White Paper, a large number of jobs likely to be created by the year 2000 will correspond to new careers linked with the technological revolutions in the audiovisual sector and the information society, requiring continuing training and adjustment in initial training concepts ; Whereas it should be borne in mind that certain types of education and training resulting for example from centres for open learning, adult education establishments and distance learning centres are gaining in importance ; whereas it must be ensured in this connection that such types of education and training, which are necessary, are accessible to everyone ; Whereas the development of lifelong learning should aim in particular to make the best use of available talent, to combat social exclusion, to widen the choice of occupa- tion for girls and women, and to contribute to the reduc- tion of regional disparities ; Whereas, furthermore, continuing training which offers employment prospects can contribute to the solution of certain social conflicts ; () O] No C 180, 1. 7. 1994, p. 30. () O] No C 180, 1. 7. 1994, p. 36.