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Forging Europe’s Next Generations: The European Parliament’s Children and Youth Policy

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The Parliamentary Roots of European Social Policy

Part of the book series: Palgrave Studies in European Union Politics ((PSEUP))

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Abstract

In 1954, three years before the Treaties of Rome were signed, MEPs entered into what a report of the EP’s Committee on Social Affairs would 21 years later call the “crusade to help young people” in the European Communities. At a time when the only adopted Community Treaty—the ECSC Treaty—contained no mention of children and youth, MEPs put these two groups on the EP’s social agenda, aiming to point out young persons’ right to be included in Community social policy. From that point, children and youth formed a focus group of EP engagement in social policy. While the EP’s political impact in the area remained limited, this chapter provides important insights into the factors driving MEPs’ socio-political activism at the time. Particularly with regard to ideational factors, the findings of this chapter help understand the delegates’ (at times more successful) activism in other case studies and policy areas during the same period.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    See Report by the Committee on Social Affairs on the resolution of the Council of Ministers of Education meeting within the Council of 13 December 1976 concerning measures to be taken to improve the preparation of young people for work and to facilitate their transition from education to working life, 7 February 1978 (PE0_AP_RP!ASOC.1976_A0-0513!770010EN_01277878), p. 13.

  2. 2.

    See i.a. Notice to Members by the Committee on Budgets, 10 November 1976 (PE0_AP_RP!BUDG.1973_A0-0363!762140EN_104009), p. 1 of the annex.

  3. 3.

    See i.a. Draft Commission Recommendation on Vocational Preparation for young people who are unemployed or threatened by unemployment (C(76) 1207/3, 9 August 1976), discussed during plenary debate on 18 November 1976 (PE0_AP_DE!1976_DE19761118-049900EN_9394423); speech by Commissioner Hendrikus Vredeling during plenary debate on 10 April 1978 (PE0_AP_DE!1978_DE19780410-029900EN_9395053), p. 21.

  4. 4.

    This chapter does not look at vocational training policy—a policy area equally focusing mainly on young persons. The area of vocational training policy, however, does not show as clearly the MEPs’ ideas. In addition, MEPs were not as activist (active, but not activist) in this area as they were in the area of children and youth policy, not least since there was more overall Community action concerning vocational training, based on a sound Treaty basis. See Arts. 56 ECSC, 41 EEC, 118 EEC, 125 EEC, 128 EEC.

  5. 5.

    Norwig (2014: 253).

  6. 6.

    See Pépin (2007: 122); Harribey (2002).

  7. 7.

    See the First Programme on the exchange of young workers within the Community (64/307/EEC) (OJ 78, 22 May 1964, pp. 1226–1228).

  8. 8.

    See Brewster and Teague (1989: 63).

  9. 9.

    See i.a. Decision No. 37 of 26 January 1962 on the interpretation of Art. 42 of Regulation No. 3 (in the version of Regulation No. 16) concerning family allowances for orphans and children of pension beneficiaries (OJ P33, 4 May 1962, pp. 1103 et seq.); Council Directive of 25 February 1964 on the abolition of restrictions on movement and residence within the Community for nationals of Member States with regard to establishment and the provision of services (64/220/EEC) (OJ P56, 4 April 1964, p. 845); Regulation (EEC) No. 1612/68 of the Council of 15 October 1968 on freedom of movement for workers within the Community, Arts. 11-12; Regulation (EEC) No. 1408/71 of the Council of 14 June 1971 on the application of social security schemes to employed persons and their families moving within the Community, Arts. 77–79; Council Decision of 27 June 1974 on action by the European Social Fund for migrant workers (74/327/EEC), Art. 3.

  10. 10.

    See e.g. Council Directive 77/486/EEC of 25 July 1977 on the education of the children of migrant workers.

  11. 11.

    See i.a. Education action programme at Community level: Equal opportunities in education and training for girls (second level education) (Com(78) 499 final), 3 October 1978.

  12. 12.

    See i.a. Education action programme at Community level: The teaching of languages in the Community (Com(78) 222 final), 14 June 1978.

  13. 13.

    See i.a. Council Resolution of 29 June 1978 on an action programme of the European Communities on safety and health at work (OJ C165, 11 July 1978, p. 12).

  14. 14.

    See Council Decision 66/740/EEC of 22 December 1966 on Community aid for the Italian Republic towards the granting of assistance to sulphur mine workers affected by dismissal and of a number of scholarships for their children.

  15. 15.

    See i.a. Council Resolution of 25 May 1971 on the new guidelines for the common agricultural policy (OJ L114, 26 May 1971, p. 47).

  16. 16.

    See Commission of the European Communities (1980): Special education in the European Community. Luxembourg: Office for Official Publications of the European Communities.

  17. 17.

    See i.a. Report from the Commission to the Council on the European programme of pilot schemes to combat poverty, 1976 (Com(76) 718 final), 13 January 1977, which contains several mentions of programmes in favour of children.

  18. 18.

    See Pringle (1998: 137 et seq. and 145 et seqq.); Ruxton (1996: 23 et seqq.).

  19. 19.

    See Deliège-Rott (1980: 111).

  20. 20.

    See European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training (1983): Youth unemployment and vocational training. An attempt to summarize the most important conclusions drawn during five years of work on the subject. Luxembourg: Office for Official Publications of the European Communities, pp. 8 et seq.

  21. 21.

    See Shanks (1977: 20 et seq.); Debate on unemployment among young people, 10 April 1978 (PE0_AP_DE!1978_DE19780410-029900EN_9395053), 20 et seq.

  22. 22.

    See Deliège-Rott (1980: 112).

  23. 23.

    See European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training (1983): Youth unemployment and vocational training. An attempt to summarize the most important conclusions drawn during five years of work on the subject. Luxembourg: Office for Official Publications of the European Communities, p. 6.

  24. 24.

    See Deliège-Rott (1980: 113).

  25. 25.

    See Resolution of the Council and of the Ministers of Education, meeting within the Council, of 9 February 1976 comprising an action programme in the field of education (OJ C 38, 19 February 1976, pp. 1–5).

  26. 26.

    See Devlin (2010: 66 et seq.).

  27. 27.

    See Report by the Committee on Social Affairs on Chapter V of the Second General Report about the activity of the ECSC from 13 April 1953 to 11 April 1954 (employment issues), May 1954 (AC_AP_RP!ASOC.1953_AC-0018!54-mai0010DE), p. 17.

  28. 28.

    The Commission included the exchange of trainees only in the COMMET programme of 1986. See Council Decision 86/365/EEC of 24 July 1986 adopting the programme on cooperation between universities and enterprises regarding training in the field of technology (OJ L222, 8 August 1986, pp. 17–21).

  29. 29.

    A range of examples is discussed in Sect. 6.4 below.

  30. 30.

    Resolution on the draft for a first Community exchange programme for young workers, 28 November 1963 (PE0_AP_RP!ASOC.1961_A0-0100!630010DE_00700358).

  31. 31.

    Resolution on the Commission proposal for a Directive on the education of the children of migrant workers, 13 November 1975 (PE0_AP_RP!JEUN.1973_A0-0375!750001EN_0001).

  32. 32.

    See Chapter 7.

  33. 33.

    See Resolution on the Commission proposals for a Regulation concerning the creation of a new European Social Fund aid in favour of young persons, and a Decision amending Decision 75/459/EEC of 22 July 1975 on action by the European Social Fund for persons affected by employment difficulties, as amended by Decision 77/802/EEC of 20 December 1977, 9 May 1978 (PE0_AP_RP!ASOC.1976_A0-0088!780001EN_0001).

  34. 34.

    Council Regulation (EEC) No. 3039/78 of 18 December 1978 on the creation of two new types of aid for young people from the European Social Fund (OJ No. L361, 23 December 1978, p. 3), Art. 1; EP Resolution, paragraph 10.

  35. 35.

    See Resolution on a Commission proposal to the member states concerning the protection of young people at work, 18 January 1966 (PE0_AP_RP!ASOC.1961_A0-0113!650001DE_0001).

  36. 36.

    See Resolution on the communication from the Commission of the European Communities to the Council on measures to be taken in application of section 16 of the Hague Communiqué: recommendation for a Decision setting up a Committee for Youth Questions, recommendation for a Decision setting up a Youth Advisory Committee, 11 June 1974 (PE0_AP_RP!JEUN.1973_A0-0041!740001EN_0001).

  37. 37.

    See i.a. amendments proposed by Resolution on the Commission proposal for a Directive on the education of the children of migrant workers, 13 November 1975 (PE0_AP_RP!JEUN.1973_A0-0375!750001EN_0001); and Council Directive 77/486/EEC of 25 July 1977 on the education of the children of migrant workers (OJ L199, 06 August 1977, pp. 32–33).

  38. 38.

    See i.a. speech by Cornelis Berkhouwer during plenary debate on 28 November 1962 (PE0_AP_DE!1963_DE19631128-039900DE_9302770), p. 174; speech by Leon-Eli Troclet during plenary debate on 18 January 1966 (PE0_AP_DE!1965_DE19660118-029900DE_9303458), p. 14; Opinion by the Committee on Budgetary Affairs on the Commission proposals for a regulation concerning the creation of a new European Social Fund aid in favour of young persons and a Council decision amending Decision 75/459/EEC of 21 July 1975 on action by the European Social Fund for persons affected by employment difficulties, amended by Decision 77/802/EEC of 20 December 1977, 9 May 1978 (PE0_AP_RP!ASOC.1976_A0-0088!780060EN_00001000), p. 8.

  39. 39.

    See i.a. speech by Commissioner Albert Borschette during plenary debate on 15 September 1970 (PE0_AP_DE!1970_DE19700915-019900DE_9306641), p. 14; speech by Commissioner Hendrikus Vredeling during plenary debate on 12 January 1977 (PE0_AP_QP!QH_H-0238!760015EN_01386381), p. 65.

  40. 40.

    See Resolution on the resolution of the Council and of the Ministers of Education meeting within the Council of 13 December 1976 concerning measures to be taken to improve the preparation of young people for work and to facilitate their transition from education to working life, 14 February 1978 (PE0_AP_RP!ASOC.1976_A0-0513!770001EN_0001).

  41. 41.

    See i.a. speech by Giovanni Maria Angioy during plenary debate on 9 May 1966 (PE0_AP_DE!1966_DE19660509-039900DE_9303582), p. 12.

  42. 42.

    See e.g. Resolution on the 1974/75 Information Programme of the Commission of the European Communities, 12 June 1974 (PE0_AP_RP!JEUN.1973_A0-0106!740001EN_0001); Written Question 355/70 by Pierre-Bernard Cousté to the Council, 18 November 1970 (PE0_AP_QP!QE_E-0355!700010DE_137319); Written Question 365/71 by Francis Vals to the Commission, 20 October 1971 (PE0_AP_QP!QE_E-0365!710010DE_158625); Question 122/76 by Pierre-Bernard Cousté during Question Time on 13 October 1976 (PE0_AP_QP!QH_H-0122!760015EN_01385739); speeches by Hans Merten, Diomède Catroux, Mario Pedini and Giovanni Bersani during plenary debate on 9 May 1966 (PE0_AP_DE!1966_DE19660509-039900DE_9303582); speech by Thomas Nolan during plenary debate on 14 February 1978 (PE0_AP_DE!1977_DE19780214-059900EN_9407172), p. 103, in which he ascribed to “the youth of today” the role of becoming “the Members of this Parliament tomorrow”; speech by Heinz Schreiber during plenary debate on 23 April 1979 (PE0_AP_DE!1979_DE19790423-039900EN_9319311), p. 17: “we firmly believe in the need for European integration and development and we also believe that this can only be achieved with the help of our young people”.

  43. 43.

    Translated by the author; original quote: “ces enfants français, allemands, luxembourgeois, néerlandais, italiens, [Belgian children are indeed not mentioned] qui iraient passer ensemble un mois chaque année sur une plage de la Méditerrannée transformeraient leur nationalisme en un internationalisme nouveau du meilleur aloi et apprendraient à se sentir Européens au sens le plus large et le plus profond du mot, lorsqu’ils sauraient qu’ils doivent cette joie saine, non pas à leurs propres familles, ni à leur propre patrie, mais à un organisme qui est l’expression de six pays d’Europe liés et dirigés par un organisme supranational.” See Note by Alessandro Schiavia concerning a Community intervention in favour of miners’ children, 18 May 1955 (AC_AP_RP!ASOC.1953_AC-0046!55-mai0040FR_0311030), p. 4 et seq.

  44. 44.

    Speech by Lady Fisher of Rednal during plenary debate on 8 March 1976 (PE0_AP_DE!1975_DE19760308-049900EN_9308336), pp. 20 et seq.

  45. 45.

    Resolution on the 1974/75 Information Programme of the Commission of the European Communities, 12 June 1974 (PE0_AP_RP!JEUN.1973_A0-0106!740001EN_0001).

  46. 46.

    See Roos (2021).

  47. 47.

    See Report by the Committee on Social Affairs on Chapter VII of the Fourth General Report on the activities of the ECSC (11 April 1955–8 April 1956), June 1956 (AC_AP_RP!ASOC.1953_AC-0025!56-mai0010DE), p. 9 et seq.

  48. 48.

    See Newbury (1985): 88; EP plenary debate on 9 May 1966 (PE0_AP_DE!1966_DE19660509-039900DE_9303582), p. 19.

  49. 49.

    See Commission (2006: 131).

  50. 50.

    Report by the Committee on Cultural Affairs and Youth on the Commission proposal for a directive on the education of the children of migrant workers, 12 November 1975 (PE0_AP_RP!JEUN.1973_A0-0375!750010EN_034794), p. 13; Resolution on the Commission proposal for a Directive on the education of the children of migrant workers, 13 November 1975 (PE0_AP_RP!JEUN.1973_A0-0375!750001EN_0001).

  51. 51.

    See also Oral Question No. 5/67 with debate on initiatives in favour of youth and adult education, 19 June 1967 (PE0_AP_DE!1967_DE19670619-059900DE_9305621); Oral Question No. 46/77 with debate on the education of children of migrant workers, 14 September 1977 (PE0_AP_QP!QO_O-0046!770010EN_238077).

  52. 52.

    This issue was pointed out i.a. by Ferruccio Pisoni during plenary debate on 14 February 1978 (PE0_AP_DE!1977_DE19780214-059900EN_9407172), p. 101.

  53. 53.

    See for instance speech by Wilhelm Dröscher during plenary debate on 19 June 1967 (PE0_AP_DE!1967_DE19670619-059900DE_9305621), p. 19; Resolution on the Communities’ education and youth policy, 8 February 1972 (PE0_AP_RP!POLI.1961_A0-0232!710001DE_0001); Resolution on the draft directive on the education of migrant workers’ children, 13 November 1975 (PE0_AP_RP!JEUN.1973_A0-0375!750001EN_0001).

  54. 54.

    Speech by Maria Luisa Cassanmagnago Cerretti during plenary debate on 23 April 1979 (PE0_AP_DE!1979_DE19790423-039900EN_9319311), p. 17.

  55. 55.

    Speech by Vera Squarcialupi, ibid., p. 20.

  56. 56.

    It should be noted that the idea of a sports badge did not come from the EP, but from the Council of Europe, which had introduced a similar badge already in 1953, although limited to young persons aged 16–18. The EP looked repeatedly to the Council of Europe for inspiration and cooperation in the area of youth policy prior to 1979, for instance also with regard to the creation of a youth fund, and the establishment of a European youth office. See i.a. Eberhard (2002); Williamson (2007); Resolution on youth and education policy in the Communities, 8 February 1972 (PE0_AP_RP!POLI.1961_A0-0232!710001DE_0001); Oral Question No. 17/69 with debate, 15 September 1970 (PE0_AP_DE!1970_DE19700915-019900DE_9306641).

  57. 57.

    See Resolution on the creation of a European sports badge, 10 March 1966 (PE0_AP_RP!RECH.1961_A0-0012!660001DE_0001).

  58. 58.

    See Report by the Committee on Cultural Affairs on the creation of a European sports badge, 7 March 1966 (PE0_AP_RP!RECH.1961_A0-0012!660010DE_001071), p. 3.

  59. 59.

    Ibid.

  60. 60.

    The Dutch translation referred instead to a ‘general European sports diploma’ (“algemeen Europees sportdiploma”). See OJ P53, 24 March 1966, p. 772.

  61. 61.

    Translated by the author; original quote: “einen beachtlichen Einfluß auf die Bildung eines europäischen Bewußtseins”. See Motion for a resolution concerning the creation of a European Youth Office, 21 January 1965 (PE0_AP_PR_B0-0137!640010DE_00719612).

  62. 62.

    See speech by Carlo Scarascia Mugnozza during plenary debate on 9 May 1966 (PE0_AP_DE!1966_DE19660509-039900DE_9303582), p. 10.

  63. 63.

    See speech by Giovanni Bersani, ibid., p. 18.

  64. 64.

    See speech by Giovanni Maria Angioy, ibid., p. 12.

  65. 65.

    See speech by Hervé Laudrin during plenary debate following Oral Question 5/67 by the Committee on Energy, Research and Cultural Affairs to the High Authority and both Commissions, 19 June 1967 (PE0_AP_DE!1967_DE19670619-059900DE_9305621), pp. 15 et seqq.

  66. 66.

    See Oral question No. 17/69 by the Committee on Political Affairs, 6 February 1970 (PE0_AP_QP!QO_O-0017!690010DE_235565).

  67. 67.

    Resolution on the creation of a European Youth Office, 9 May 1966 (PE0_AP_RP!RECH.1961_A0-0052!660001DE_0001).

  68. 68.

    See i.a. Written question No. 470/69 by Mr. Ramaekers to the Commission, 12 February 1970 (PE0_AP_QP!QE_E-0470!690010DE_128339); Motion for a resolution on the creation of a European youth office, 15 September 1970 (PE0_AP_PR_B0-0114!700010DE_009495).

  69. 69.

    See https://www.coe.int/en/web/european-youth-foundation/who-we-are (last visit 17 February 2021).

  70. 70.

    See http://www.euyo.eu/ (last visit 17 February 2021).

  71. 71.

    See Report by the Committee on Cultural Affairs and Youth on the motion for a resolution submitted by Mrs Kellett-Bowman on the formation of an EEC Youth Orchestra, 2 March 1976 (PE0_AP_RP!JEUN.1973_A0-0537!750010EN_032957).

  72. 72.

    Ibid., p. 6.

  73. 73.

    Both ibid.

  74. 74.

    Speech by Luigi Granelli during plenary debate on 15 September 1977 (PE0_AP_DE!1977_DE19770915-019900EN_9317841), p. 189. See i.a. also speech by Thomas Nolan during plenary debate on 18 February 1975 (PE0_AP_DE!1974_DE19750218-059900EN_9312067), p. 82.

  75. 75.

    See speech by Michele Pistillo during plenary debate on 14 February 1978 (PE0_AP_DE!1977_DE19780214-059900EN_9407172), p. 99. See also speeches by Lord Murray of Gravesend and Liam Kavanagh during plenary debate on 7 July 1978 (PE0_AP_DE!1978_DE19780707-079900EN_9318651), pp. 269 and 271.

  76. 76.

    See Resolution on the Council’s failure to agree on measures to promote youth employment, 7 July 1978 (PE0_AP_PR_B0-0230!780001EN_0001).

  77. 77.

    Ibid.

  78. 78.

    See speech by Elaine Kellett-Bowman during plenary debate on 14 February 1978 (PE0_AP_DE!1977_DE19780214-059900EN_9407172), p. 105.

  79. 79.

    See i.a. Resolution on the Commission proposal for a Decision on setting up a second joint programme of exchanges of young workers within the Community, 24 April 1979 (PE0_AP_RP!ASOC.1976_A0-0091!790001EN_0001); Report by the Committee on Social Affairs on the resolution of the Council and of the Ministers of Education meeting within the Council of 13 December 1976 concerning measures to be taken to improve the preparation of young people for work and to facilitate their transition from education to working life, 7 February 1978 (PE0_AP_RP!ASOC.1976_A0-0513!770010EN_01277878), p. 12.

  80. 80.

    Speech by Willem Albers during plenary debate on 15 September 1977 (PE0_AP_DE!1977_DE19770915-019900EN_9317841), p. 202.

  81. 81.

    Speech by Willem Albers during plenary debate on 7 July 1978 (PE0_AP_DE!1978_DE19780707-079900EN_9318651), p. 266.

  82. 82.

    Ibid., speech by Antoine Porcu, p. 268.

  83. 83.

    This responsibility was declared i.a. by Liam Kavanagh during plenary debate on 15 September 1977 (PE0_AP_DE!1977_DE19770915-019900EN_9317841), p. 201.

  84. 84.

    Carlo Scarascia Mugnozza, for instance, said during plenary debate on 15 September 1970 (PE0_AP_DE!1970_DE19700915-019900DE_930664, p. 9) that he hoped statements made by the Commission on youth policy would be binding and would “not disappoint the expectations of the youth and the EP”, presenting the EP as the voice of young people.

  85. 85.

    See plenary debate on 28 November 1963 (PE0_AP_DE!1963_DE19631128-039900DE_9302770).

  86. 86.

    See ibid., all speeches (first quote by Pierre Comte-Offenbach, p. 178—translated by the author, original quote: “Unzulänglichkeiten der Vertragsbestimmungen”; second quote by Cornelis Berkhouwer, p. 175—translated by the author, original quote: “bei einer elastischen Auslegung des Vertrages”); Report by the Committee on Social Affairs on the draft first Community exchange programme for young workers, 27 November 1963 (PE0_AP_RP!ASOC.1961_A0-0095!630010DE_00699580), p. 7.

  87. 87.

    See i.a. Opinion by the Committee on Cultural Affairs and Youth concerning the first Community exchange programme for young workers, 30 October 1963 (PE0_AP_RP!ASOC.1961_A0-0095!630010DE_00699580), p. 18; Resolution on Community action in the cultural sector, 8 March 1976 (PE0_AP_PR_B0-0542!750001EN_0001).

  88. 88.

    See Report by the Committee on Political Affairs on youth and education issues in the Communities, 2 February 1972 (PE0_AP_RP!POLI.1961_A0-0232!710010DE_012217), p. 19.

  89. 89.

    See Resolution on the Commission proposal for a Decision on setting up a second joint programme of exchanges of young workers within the Community, 24 April 1979 (PE0_AP_RP!ASOC.1976_A0-0091!790001EN_0001).

  90. 90.

    See speech by Cornelis Berkhouwer during plenary debate on 28 November 1963 (PE0_AP_DE!1963_DE19631128-039900DE_9302770), p. 175.

  91. 91.

    Speech by Thomas Nolan during plenary debate on 14 September 1977 (PE0_AP_DE!1977_DE19770914-109900EN_9317829), p 171.

  92. 92.

    See Report by the Committee on Social Affairs on the draft first programme for the exchange of young workers, 27 November 1963 (PE0_AP_RP!ASOC.1961_A0-0095!630010DE_00699580), p. 8.

  93. 93.

    See i.a. speeches by Tullia Carettoni Romagnoli and Willem Albers during plenary debate on 13 November 1975 (PE0_AP_DE!1975_DE19751113-079900EN_9312877), pp. 277 and 280; Resolution on the Commission proposal for a directive on the education of migrant workers’ children, 13 November 1975 (PE0_AP_RP!JEUN.1973_A0-0375!750001EN_0001).

  94. 94.

    Resolution on the Commission proposal for a Directive on the education of the children of migrant workers, 13 November 1975 (PE0_AP_RP!JEUN.1973_A0-0375!750001EN_0001). See also speech by Tullia Carettoni Romagnoli during plenary debate on 13 November 1975 (PE0_AP_DE!1975_DE19751113-079900EN_9312877), p. 277.

  95. 95.

    See speech by Commissioner Hendrikus Vredeling during plenary debate on 15 September 1977 (PE0_AP_DE!1977_DE19770915-019900EN_9317841), p. 195.

  96. 96.

    See Report by the Committee on Social Affairs on the draft first Community exchange programme for young workers, 27 November 1963 (PE0_AP_RP!ASOC.1961_A0-0095!630010DE_00699580), pp. 7 et seq.; speech by Cornelis Berkhouwer during plenary debate on 28 November 1963 (PE0_AP_DE!1963_DE19631128-039900DE_9302770), p. 175.

  97. 97.

    See speech by Commissioner Hendrikus Vredeling during plenary debate on 15 September 1977 (PE0_AP_DE!1977_DE19770915-019900EN_9317841), p. 195.

  98. 98.

    See Resolution on the Commission proposal for a Directive on the education of the children of migrant workers, 13 November 1975 (PE0_AP_RP!JEUN.1973_A0-0375!750001EN_0001); Resolution on a Commission proposal for a Regulation concerning the creation of a new ESF aid in favour of young persons, a Decision amending Decision 75/459/EEC of 22 July 1975 on action by the ESF for persons affected by employment difficulties, as amended by Decision 77/802/EEC of 20 December 1977, 9 May 1978 (PE0_AP_RP!ASOC.1976_A0-0088!780001EN_0001).

  99. 99.

    MEPs used references to the free movement for instance when criticising member states for discriminating migrant workers’ children, and called the Commission to consider legal action on such breaches of Treaty provisions and adopted Community legislation. See i.a. Written Question 756/74 by Ernest Glinne to the Commission, 17 February 1975 (PE0_AP_QP!QE_E-0756!740050FR_193930); Written Question 566/76 by Ferruccio Pisoni to the Commission, 21 October 1976 (PE0_AP_QP!QE_E-0566!760040FR_199695).

  100. 100.

    See Chapter 4, Sect. 4.5.

  101. 101.

    See i.a. speeches by Vera Squarcialupi and Aldo Masullo during plenary debate on 12 January 1977 (PE0_AP_QP!QH_H-0238!760015EN_01386381), pp. 65 et seq.

  102. 102.

    See i.a. Question No. 221/76 by Ferruccio Pisoni to the Council during Question Time on 12 January 1977 (PE0_AP_QP!QH_H-0221!760015EN_01386285); Oral Question No. 453/78 by Charles McDonald to the Commission, 15 February 1978 (PE0_AP_QP!QH_H-0453!780015EN_01391967); Oral Question No. 464/78 by Thomas Nolan to the Commission, 13 March 1979 (PE0_AP_QP!QH_H-0464!780015EN_01392027).

  103. 103.

    See i.a. Written Question No. 638/72 by Pierre-Bernard Cousté to the Commission, 16 February 1973 (PE0_AP_QP!QE_E-0638!720010EN_172384); Oral Question No. 312/78 by Liam Kavanagh to the Commission during Question Time on 12 December 1978 (PE0_AP_QP!QH_H-0312!780015EN_01391229); speech by Vera Squarcialupi during plenary debate on 23 April 1979 (PE0_AP_DE!1979_DE19790423-039900EN_9319311), p. 20.

  104. 104.

    Charles McDonald recalled in an interview with the author that the Christian Democratic Group managed to secure funding for disabled children by first introducing disabled into the Social Action Programme—with no mention of children—and later calling for specific funding in favour of disabled children based on the broader provisions in the Social Action Programme. See also Written Question by Winifred M. Ewing to the Commission, 6 September 1978 (PE0_AP_QP!QE_E-0566!780060FR_217924).

  105. 105.

    For examples on the ERDF and EAGGF, see Written Question 878/77 by Liam Kavanagh and Lord Murray of Gravesend to the Commission, 9 December 1977 (PE0_AP_QP!QE_E-0878!770040FR_207783); Resolution on the Council Resolution of 13 December 1976 on measures to improve young people’s preparation for work, 15 February 1978 (PE0_AP_RP!ASOC.1976_A0-0513!770001EN_0001). For examples on the ESF, see Resolution on the Commission proposals for a Regulation concerning the creation of a new European Social Fund aid in favour of young persons, and a Decision amending Decision 75/459/EEC of 22 July 1975 on action by the European Social Fund for persons affected by employment difficulties, as amended by Decision 77/802/EEC of 20 December 1977, 9 May 1978 (PE0_AP_RP!ASOC.1976_A0-0088!780001EN_0001); speech by Elaine Kellett-Bowman during plenary debate on 12 November 1975 (PE0_AP_QP!QH_H-0150!750015EN_01384401), p. 107; speech by Michael B. Yeats during plenary debate on 16 June 1976 (PE0_AP_QP!QH_H-0083!760015EN_01385523), p. 92; speech by Mr. Caro during plenary debate on 10 May 1979 (PE0_AP_DE!1979_DE19790510-199900EN_9319881), p. 235.

  106. 106.

    See Arts. 126 and 127 EEC.

  107. 107.

    The creation of the forum is described in the Report by the Committee on Social Affairs on the activities of the European Youth Forum, 7 May 1979 (PE0_AP_RP!ASOC.1976_A0-0151!790010EN_060718), p. 7.

  108. 108.

    See Written Question No. 606/75 by Adrien Zeller, 20 November 1975 (PE0_AP_QP!QE_E-0606!750020FR_196926).

  109. 109.

    See Written Question No. 605/75 by Adrien Zeller, 20 November 1975 (PE0_AP_QP!QE_E-0605!750020FR_196923).

  110. 110.

    See Answer by the Commission to Written Question No. 605/75 by Adrien Zeller, 25 November 1975 (PE0_AP_QP!QE_E-0605!750030FR_196924); Answer by the Council to Written Question No. 606/75 by Adrien Zeller, 25 November 1975 (PE0_AP_QP!QE_E-0606!750030FR_196927).

  111. 111.

    See i.a. speech by Pierre Comte-Offenbach during plenary debate on 28 November 1963 (PE0_AP_DE!1963_DE19631128-039900DE_9302770), p. 177; Written Question 177/73 by Luigi Girardin to the Commission, 22 June 1973 (PE0_AP_QP!QE_E-0177!730010EN_176576).

  112. 112.

    See i.a. Resolution on the creation of a European youth office, 9 May 1966 (PE0_AP_RP!RECH.1961_A0-0052!660001DE_0001); Report by the Committee on Political Affairs on Community youth and education policy, 2 February 1972 (PE0_AP_RP!POLI.1961_A0-0232!710010DE_012217), p. 21.

  113. 113.

    See first and foremost the Resolution on the Commission proposal for a first exchange programme of young workers, 28 November 1963 (PE0_AP_RP!ASOC.1961_A0-0100!630001DE_0001), and the connected reports by the Committee on Social Affairs, 27 November 1963 (PE0_AP_RP!ASOC.1961_A0-0095!630010DE_00699580 and PE0_AP_RP!ASOC.1961_A0-0100!630010DE_00700358).

  114. 114.

    See i.a. Resolutions on the Seventh General Report of the activities of the Euratom 1963, 6 October 1964 (PE0_AP_RP!PARL.1958_A0-0063!640001DE_0001); on the Seventh General Report of the Commission on social situation in the EEC 1963, 27 November 1964 (PE0_AP_RP!ASOC.1961_A0-0099!640001DE_0001); on the EEC draft budget for 1965, 11 December 1964 (PE0_AP_RP!BUDG.1961_A0-0102!640001DE_0001).

  115. 115.

    The inter-institutional tensions are visible for instance in a Resolution on the Communities’ education and youth policy from 8 February 1972, in which the EP complained that the Council discussed proposals coming from a youth organisation, but not the proposals submitted by the EP (PE0_AP_RP!POLI.1961_A0-0232!710001DE_0001).

  116. 116.

    See speech by Pierre Giraud during plenary debate on 6 July 1977 (PE0_AP_DE!1977_DE19770706-019900EN_9394669), p. 149.

  117. 117.

    See Chapter 5, Sect. 5.4.

  118. 118.

    See i.a. Resolution on a draft recommendation by the Commission on vocational preparation for young people who are unemployed or threatened by unemployment, 18 November 1976 (PE0_AP_RP!ASOC.1976_A0-0398!760001EN_0001); Resolution on the Commission proposals for a regulation concerning the creation of a new European Social Fund aid in favour of young persons, and a decision amending Decision 75/459/EEC of 22 July 1975 on action by the European Social Fund for persons affected by employment difficulties, as amended by Decision 77/802/EEC of 20 December 1977, 9 May 1978 (PE0_AP_RP!ASOC.1976_A0-0088!780001EN_0001); Resolution on the Commission proposal for a Decision on setting up a second joint programme of exchanges of young workers within the Community, 24 April 1979 (PE0_AP_RP!ASOC.1976_A0-0091!790001EN_0001).

  119. 119.

    See i.a. Written Question No. 242/78 by Robert Thomas Ellis to the Commission, 18 May 1978 (PE0_AP_QP!QE_E-0242!780040FR_214375); Oral Question No. 235/78 by Ferruccio Pisoni for Question Time on 10–12 October 1978 to the Commission (PE0_AP_QP!QH_H-0235!780010EN_254964); Written Question No. 765/78 by Michele Cifarelli to the Commission, 10 November 1978 (PE0_AP_QP!QE_E-0765!780050FR_219968).

  120. 120.

    See i.a. Oral Question No. 458/78 by Liam Kavanagh to the Commission, 15 February 1978 (PE0_AP_QP!QH_H-0458!780015EN_01391997); Written Question No. 616/78 by Willy Dondelinger to the Commission, 27 September 1978 (PE0_AP_QP!QE_E-0617!780060FR_218280).

  121. 121.

    Williamson (2007: 70). See also Bantigny (2010: 10); Report by the Committee on Political Affairs concerning the Communities’ youth and education policy, 2 February 1972 (PE0_AP_RP!POLI.1961_A0-0232!710010DE_012217), p. 19; Motion for a resolution on the creation of a European youth council by the Socialist Group, 9 October 1969 (PE0_AP_PR_B0-0126!690010DE_002016).

  122. 122.

    Final communiqué of the Hague Summit, 2 December 1969, point 16 (https://www.cvce.eu/en/obj/final_communique_of_the_hague_summit_2_december_1969-en-33078789-8030-49c8-b4e0-15d053834507.html, last visit 17 February 2021).

  123. 123.

    See Bitsch (2001: 559).

  124. 124.

    Confirmed e.g. by Commissioner Albert Borschette during the plenary debate on 15 September 1970 following the Oral Question with debate No. 17/69 (PE0_AP_DE!1970_DE19700915-019900DE_9306641), p. 13.

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    Mechthild Roos

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Roos, M. (2021). Forging Europe’s Next Generations: The European Parliament’s Children and Youth Policy. In: The Parliamentary Roots of European Social Policy. Palgrave Studies in European Union Politics. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-78233-7_6

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