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Committee on Development and Cooperation report concerning a communication on coordination between the Community and Member States on education and training in developing countries

The European Parliament Committee on Development and Cooperation has prepared a report on the Commission's communication concerning improved coordination between the Community and Member States in the area of education and training in developing countries. In this session doc...

The European Parliament Committee on Development and Cooperation has prepared a report on the Commission's communication concerning improved coordination between the Community and Member States in the area of education and training in developing countries. In this session document, which was tabled on 30 June 1995, the European Parliament sets out a resolution for a motion concerning improved coordination of education and training schemes in developing countries. The Commission's communication of 26 September 1994, was in response to the Council's request of May 1993 in which it reiterated the importance of sustainable social development in developing countries as one of the Community's priority development objectives. The need for improved coordination in this field has been referred to in three previous documents: - The Treaty on European Union; - The declaration of the Council and Member States following their meeting on "Development cooperation policy in the run up to 2000"; - The Commission document "Procedures for coordination between the Member States at policy and operational levels". The Committee on Youth, Education and the Media has drafted an opinion on this communication for the Committee on Development and Cooperation. Among other points, the Committee has identified the following conclusions: - The need to choose certain specific targets for development that can be monitored and assessed; - The recognition of the importance of basic education; - The need for a greater emphasis on primary education in all schemes. The report also calls on the Commission to consult widely with non-governmental organizations (NGOs), voluntary aid movements, charities, teaching unions and other professional associations over education and training in developing countries. The Committee believes that any schemes must be properly planned before implementation and welcomes the decision to meet with relevant organizations once a year to monitor progress. Finally, the Committee proposes that Member States should investigate ways in which educational aid can be given to developing countries in lieu of debt repayments.