WRITTEN QUESTION No. 603/98 by Bartho PRONK to the Commission. Socio-political adult education and its role in the Commission's education policy
C 310/100 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 9. 10. 98 (98/C 310/133) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0602/98 by Arthur Newens (PSE) to the Commission (4 March 1998) Subject: Comparative value of state pensions in European Union countries Further to the answer given by the Commission to Written Questions Nos 2620/88 (1) and 792/92 (2) on the relative value of state pensions in European Union Member States, will the Commission now provide an up-date, calculated for a single person at his/her legal retirement age after a full contribution career, for as recent a date as available figures permit? (1) OJ C 262, 16. 10. 1989, p. 58. (2) OJ C 16, 21. 1. 1993, p. 5. Answer given by Mr de Silguy on behalf of the Commission (20 April 1998) The Commission is sending direct to the Honourable Member and to Parliamentís secretariat first estimates in the framework of a study by Eurostat to update Old age replacement rates › volume 1í first published in 1990. The complete methodology and final estimates for the eight Member States covered will be published in June 1998. (98/C 310/134) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0603/98 by Bartho Pronk (PPE) to the Commission (4 March 1998) Subject: Socio-political adult education and its role in the Commissionís education policy Does the Commission view socio-political adult education as the basis for cohesion in the EU and if so, how does it intend to realize this aim in its programme? Is it true that there is no specific budget line for adult education? Is it correct that the Commission only supports socio-political topics when they are immediately relevant to it (e. g. the euro) but offers NGOs no possibility of financing for topics chosen by them? What financing is available for NGO-run educational programmes on ethical subjects and problems and the methodology of socio-political adult education? 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 (8 April 1998) The Commission attaches great importance to the development of adult education. The Socrates programme is concerned with improving cooperation between Member States in the field of adult education, so as to promote in adults the spirit of European citizenship, social inclusion and awareness of other Member Statesí cultures. There is no specific budget line for adult education; it comes under the budget for the Socrates programme (Action 3. 5. A)