L 327/30 Official Journal of the European Union 24.11.2006 DECISION No 1719/2006/EC OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of 15 November 2006 establishing the ‘Youth in Action’ programme for the period 2007 to 2013 THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Commu- nity and in particular Article 149(4) thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the Commission, Having regard to the opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee (1), Having regard to the opinion of the Committee of the Regions (%), Acting in accordance with the procedure in Article 251 of the Treaty (°), Whereas: 1 The Treaty establishing the European Community, herein- after referred to as the ‘Treaty’, establishes citizenship of the Union and provides that Community action in the field of education, vocational training and youth is to be aimed, primarily, at encouraging the development of youth exchanges, exchanges of socio-educational instructors and quality education. The Treaty on European Union is founded on the principles of liberty, democracy, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, equality between men and women and non-discrimination. The promotion of young people’s active citizenship should contribute to the development of these values. Decision No 1031/2000/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 April 2000 established the ‘Youth’ Community action programme (¥). It is appropriate to pursue and strengthen cooperation and Community action in that field on the basis of the experience acquired from that programme. Decision No 790/2004/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 21 April 2004 established a programme of Community action to promote bodies active at European level in the field of youth (3). The extraordinary European Council held in Lisbon on 23 and 24 March 2000 established a strategic objective for the EU including an active employment policy giving greater priority to lifelong learning, complemented by the O] C 234, 22.9.2005, p. 46. 0] C 71, 22.3.2005, p. 34. ) Opinion of the European Parliament delivered on 25 October 2005 (not yet published in the Official Journal), Council Common Position of 24 July 2006 (O] C 251 E, 17.10.2006, p. 20) and Position of the European Parliament of 25 October 2006 (not yet published in the Official Journal). OJ L 117, 18.5.2000, p. 1. Decision as last amended by Council Regulation (EC) No 885/2004 (O] L 168, 1.5.2004, p. 1). OJ L 138, 30.4.2004, p. 24. (10) (11) sustainable development strategy of the Gothenburg European Council of 15 and 16 June 2001. The Lacken Declaration annexed to the Presidency conclu- sions of the European Council of 14 and 15 December 2001 asserts that one of the basic challenges to be resolved by the EU is how to bring citizens, and primarily young people, closer to the European design and the European institutions. The Commission adopted a White Paper on ‘A new impetus for European youth’ on 21 November 2001, which proposes a cooperation framework in the field of youth to focus on participation, information, voluntary activities and a greater understanding of young people. The European Parliament adopted these proposals in its resolution of 14 May 2002 (°). The Resolution of the Council and of the representatives of the Governments of the Member States meeting within the Council of 27 June 2002 () establishes, in particular, an open method of coordination covering the priorities of participation, information, voluntary activities among young people and greater understanding of youth. This should be taken into account in the implementation of the Youth in Action Programme, hereinafter referred to as ‘the Programme’. In its conclusions of 6 May 2003 (%), the Council stresses the need to maintain and develop the existing Community instruments specifically addressed to young people, as they are essential for the development of Member States’ cooperation in the field of youth, and, moreover, that the priorities and objectives of those instruments should be aligned with the Framework of European Cooperation in the field of Youth. The Spring European Council on 22 and 23 March 2005 adopted the European Pact for Youth as one of the instruments contributing to the achievement of the Lisbon objectives of growth and jobs. The Pact focuses on three areas: employment, integration and social advancement; education, training and mobility; reconciliation of working life and family life. The Community’s action includes a contribution to high quality education and training and must seek to eliminate inequalities and promote equality between men and women, pursuant to Article 3(2) of the Treaty. () OJ C 180 E, 31.7.2003, p. 145. () 0] C 168, 13.7.2002, p. 2. ®) 0J C 115, 15.5.2003, p. 1.