Organization for Youth Education & Development (OYED)

European Union Opinions on Youth Policy

European Union Opinions on Youth Policy

This section is focused on the Opinions issued by the EU Institutions and bodies directly in relation with youth issues. This document includes an overview of the main sources of EU law, including Opinions or recommendations. Thus, these documents are non-binding texts which may be issued by the Council, the Commission, Committees, Agencies or the Parliament on a certain issue of political and social relevance. Its content, as well as actions by the EU institutions are subject to CJEU review.

The following is a list of European Union Opinions related to the field of youth, regardless of whether or not they were adopted, refused or are currently in progress.

1980:
Opinion on the proposal for a Council Decision concerning European Social Fund aid measures for persons employed in the textile and clothing industries, for migrant workers, for persons affected by employment difficulties (young people under 25) and for women1
The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) supports the extension of the European Social Found aid granted to migrant workers, women and young people under the age of 25.
OJ C 331, 17.12.1980, p. 18-19

1983:
Opinion on Young People and their Role in the Development of the European Community. 2
The EESC aims to develop the teaching of foreign languages, educational visits and the dissemination of information about  EU and its objectives between young people. The document lays out different spheres of action to raise awareness and knowledge between young Europeans on the main achievements and problems of the EU. The most significant are: 1) Promotion of the teaching of foreign languages and 2) Dissemination of information about the European Community.
OJ C 211, 8.8.1983, p. 19-24

Opinion of the Economic and Social Committee on: 1. Youth Employment; 2. Communication from the Commission to the Council on the Promotion of Employment for Young People.
EESC The Community authorities shall implement a real common policy for combating youth unemployment. The said policy should be inspired by a spirit of solidarity and in connection with a future reform of the European Regional Development Fund to combat, amongst other things, Youth unemployment.
Official Journal C 211, 8.8.1983, p. 50-60

1985:
Opinion on the Council proposal establishing a third joint programme to encourage the exchange of young workers within the Community. 3

The proposal for a Council decision establishing a third joint program to encourage the exchange of youth workers within the EU is endorsed. Long-term and short-term training sources give youth the chance to acquire further vocational skills through practical job experiences while familiarizing them with the customs and culture of the host country.
28.01.1985, 85/C 25/01

1987:
Opinion of the Economic and Social Commitee on the proposal for a Council Decison adopting an Action Programme for the Training and preparation of Young People for Adult and working life. 4
The importance of the development of quality training schemes at the community level and also from the Member States' level is stressed.
OJ C 180, 8.7.1987, p. 48-50

1990:
Opinion of the Economic and Social Committee on the Proposal for a Council Decison amending Decision 84/636/EEC establishing a Third Joint Programme to encourage the Exchange of young workers within the Community.
The EESC agrees with the Commission on a synchronized approach to develop this training the program for European young workers together with the 'Youth for Europe' Programme. 5
OJ C 168, 10.7.1990, p. 11-11

1991:
Opinion of the Economic and Social Committee on the Proposal for a Council Decision amending Decision 87/569/EEC concerning an Action Programme for the vocational training of young people and their preparation for adult and working life. 6
This document tries to find disparities in terms of initial vocational training between Member States, the average duration of vocational training, and the qualitative standards of the specialists to be acquired in those countries.
OJ C 102, 18.4.1991, p. 2-4

1994:
 Opinion of the Commission pursuant to Article 189B(2)(d) of the EC Treaty, on the European Parliament's amendments to the Council's common position regarding the proposal for a European Parliament and Council Decision adopting the third stage of the 'Youth for Europe' Programme, aimed at promoting the development of youth exchanges and youth activities within the Community (amending the proposal of the Commission pursuant to Article 189A(2) of the EC Treaty).7
The Committee of the Regions approves the content of the 'Youth for Europe' Programme and recognizes the importance of its actions in helping European countries and regions that did not have an integrated youth policy. It also ratifies the relevance that the program had in promoting intercultural learning for young people within the EU.
OJ C 217  6.8. 1994, p. 1-3.

1996:
Opinion of the Economic and Social Committee on the ' Working document of the Commission entitled "Towards a European voluntary service for young people"', 8
This document provides an overview of a pilot action intended to establish the foundation for the multi-year youth voluntary service program. At the same time, it encourages Member States to promote transnational voluntary service by involving the national organizations already participating in the 'Youth for Europe' Programme.
OJ C 204, 15.7.1996, p. 76-77

Opinion of the Economic and Social Committee on youth unemployment9
In relation to the challenge of youth unemployment, the implementation of measures and the development of initiatives and proposals are suggested at the EU decision-making-level, related to the creation of initial vocational training centres, the reorganization of training and educational resources and the improved prevention of combating social exclusion.
OJ C 18, 22.1.1996, p. 37-41

2001:
Opinion of the Economic and Social Committee on the "White Paper: Youth Policy",10
The EESC in the "White Paper: Youth Policy" document stresses the historical background behind the development of Youth policy at the EU-level and the importance that this policy are has for the EU and its Member States.
OJ C 116, 20.4.2001, p. 84-95

2004:
Opinion of the Committee of the Regions on the communication on the follow-up to the "White Paper on a New Impetus for European Youth" - Proposed common objectives for the participation and information of young people, in response to the Council Resolution of 27 June 2002 regarding the framework of European cooperation in the youth field. 11
The Committee of the Regions issues its views and recommendations about the participation, and involvement of young people in youth activities and organizations. In this sense, it encourages greater participation of young people in different areas and fields, namely  1) In the community in which they live 2) In the mechanisms of representative democracy 3) In the improvement of young people's information services.
OJ C 109, 30.4.2004, p. 25-28

Opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee on the "Proposal for a European Parliament and of the Council decision establishing a Community action programme to promote bodies active at European level in the field of youth" (COM(2003) 272 final — 2003/0113 (COD)12
The EESC welcomes with this document the establishment of bodies and organizations active at the EU-level in the field of youth, such as the European Youth Forum. For the achievement of this goal, the EU will provide funding and grants for youth non-governmental organizations dealing with the youth field.
OJ C 10, 14.1.2004, p. 18-20

2006:
Opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee on the Communication from the Commission to the Council on European policies concerning youth — Addressing the concerns of young people in Europe — Implementing the European Youth Pact and promoting active citizenship (COM(2005) 206 final),13
The EESC issues in this document its opinion on the implementation of the European Youth Pact in order to promote active citizenship within the EU.
OJ C 28, 3.2.2006, p. 35-41

2007:
Opinion of the Committee of the Regions youth participation and information: Follow-up to the White Paper on a New Impetus for European Youth, 
After the publication of the White Paper on a New Impetus for European Youth by the European Commission, the EESC wants to contribute to the furtherance of an active youth citizenship in the EU.
OJ C 156, 7.7.2007, p. 8-13

2008:
Opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee on Better promoting the mobility of young people in Europe: practicalities and timetable.14
The EESC gives detailed information on practical measures, the areas where they should be applied, and the timetable for their development.
OJ C 224, 30.8.2008, p. 100-105

Opinion of the Committee of the Regions on Full involvement of young people in society, 15
The EESC encourages the furtherance of measures and actions in order to achieve the full involvement of young European people in society.

Opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee on the Role of the social partners in improving the situation of young people on the labour market (Exploratory opinion)16
In this Opinion, the EESC aims to encourage its social partners to support the access of young people to the labor market through education, vocational training,  traineeships and the extension of the right of  collective bargaining.
OJ C 204, 9.8.2008, p. 95-102

2010:
Opinion of the Committee of the Regions on a renewed European Strategy 'Investing in Youth',17
The EESC gives its opinion about the renewed European Strategy 'Investing in Youth'.
OJ C 175, 1.7.2010, p. 22-25

2012
Opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee on the 'Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions — Moving Youth into Employment' 18
With this non-binding document, the EESC urges its main stakeholders and social partners in the field of youth unemployment to take action to eradicate and finally solve the issue of youth unemployment within the EU.
COM(2012) 727 final

Opinion of the Committee of the Regions on 'Erasmus for All' 19
The EESC makes reference to the proposal for the European Parliament and of the Council, establishing the "Erasmus for All' Programme, and makes a review of the current financial and economic challenges that the EU faces to develop and  implement this program successfully in the medium-term.
OJ C 225, 27.7.2012, p. 200-210

Opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee on the 'Proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing "Erasmus for all" — The Union Programme for Education, Training, Youth and Sport' COM(2011) 788 final — 2011/0371 (CO)20
This document states the importance of youth access to European services. To accomplish this, the EU would like to increase the reach of the Erasmus program and its objectives to other areas apart from the educational and training field, such as youth and sports.
OJ C 181, 21.6.2012, p. 154-159

2013
Opinion of the Committee of the Regions on Youth Employment Package
The EU with its member states are constantly looking for solutions to tackle youth unemployment across Europe. In the Youth Employment Package, the EU gives suggestions to member states on how to deal with the issue, and how young people can be integrated on the labor market.21
OJ C 218, 30.7.2013, p. 1-6

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