European Voluntary Service

The European voluntary service can be a means to that end.

They will not be able to join the European voluntary service.

With you, we are concerned that the European voluntary service should be accessible to all young people without exception.

That is why I strongly support the European voluntary service.

No vote should be missing when we come to vote on a European voluntary service!

On the basis of the considerations outlined above, we are voting against a European voluntary service for young people.

However, we do think that European voluntary service is a very good project which gives young people a chance to experience new cultures and learn languages.

The Commission has specified very clearly that the European voluntary service does not replace the national military or civilian services.

Fortunately, the legislation for the European voluntary service has now been concluded (after two years) and the execution of the programme can resume shortly.

For this reason, I believe it is essential that we should guarantee four conditions regarding European voluntary service from the outset.

It says, "European voluntary service for youth' .

Mostar Friedensprojekt encourages youth initiatives and works with European voluntary service.

As I understand it, the idea for the European voluntary service year for young people arose during the German presidency.

In this respect I am thinking of the pilot projects on second-chance schools or the European Voluntary Service.

Mr President, the European voluntary service for young people is an important step towards a Europe for the people.

For example in the new programme, Youth in Action, there is a much bigger volume of money and importance in the European voluntary service.

Another very good idea would be contributing a European voluntary service, at Community level, for future Community action in the fields of development and humanitarian aid.

Like you, we want to optimize the chances of success of the European voluntary service which means paying special attention to the quality of that service.

A European voluntary service could undoubtedly help to overcome the cultural and social divisions that exist, especially fostering the promotion of tolerance, peace and international solidarity.

Worth mentioning is the European Voluntary Service and active European citizenship in the EU's new lifelong learning programme.

Mr President, first of all, we must welcome the creation of this European voluntary service programme and thank Mrs Cresson for taking this initiative.

For example, the group meeting sector programme is considerably cheaper than the European voluntary service and, furthermore, a greater number of young people derive benefit from the group meeting.

Moreover, the Member States must be called upon to coordinate the activities of the European voluntary service with those of the civilian service organizations that exist in individual countries.

I must congratulate Mrs Nicole Fontaine on her report on the Commission's proposal for a European voluntary service for young people, a Community action programme.

The conclusion of agreements between the European voluntary service and national civilian services could turn that prospect into a reality, and that is what we wanted to cover in our amendments.