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
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 Youth for Europeí 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