Common position on SOCRATES
On 18 July 1994, the Council adopted a common position establishing the Community action programme SOCRATES. The Decision established the programme for the period 1 January 1995 and 31 December 1999. The programme is intended to contribute to the development of quality education and training and the creation of an open European area for cooperation in education. The programme is aimed at encouraging cooperation between Member States in the fields of education and to encourage a wide rang of contacts between students and institutions. It is also intended to foster the exchange of information and experience so that the diversity of the education experience can be shared by all. Implementation of the programme will be overseen by a committee, which will provide guidance on the implementation measures. The purpose of the SOCRATES programme is to support transnational actions in the following areas: - Higher education; . Promotsion of the European dimension in universities; . Encouragement of student mobility and the financing of ERASMUS grants; - School education: . Partnership between schools; . Education of the children of migrant workers as well as the children of occupational travellers, travellers and gypsies as well as intercultural education; - Horizontal measures: . Language skills in the Community (LINGUA); . Open and distance learning; . Promotion of the exchange of information and experience (EURYDICE and ARION).