Brussels, 29/05/2001 (Agence Europe) - The EU Youth Council adopted, on 28 May, a declaration on the fight against racism and xenophobia through the Internet and gave its full support to European Commissioner Viviane Reding's initiative to draw up a White Paper on European youth policy, it was pointed out by the Council President, Britta Lejon, who presented the results of work to the press.
The declaration on the fight against racism and xenophobia mainly stresses the crucial role played by schools and youth organisations, and insists on the accountability of access providers, who should allow users to inform the police of the existence of racist and/or xenophobic sites on the Internet.
Ms Reding, for her part, recalled that she had initiated, in November 1999, broad consultation of young people in all EU Member States and beyond because she wished to allow young people to express their views. Further to the success of this broad consultation, which had given rise to proposals from young people at local, regional and national level, rather than at European level, the Commissioner called on the Ministers for Youth to assume their responsibilities and to give the go-ahead for drawing up a White Paper with content. This means it is necessary to "exceed the limits of the Treaty in youth policy and to come off the beaten tracks", said the Commissioner, who added that "ministers were unanimous in wanting the demands of young people to be borne in mind". The Council adopted the conclusions of the Presidency on this subject, noting that "these consultations show the need to cooperate more actively with young people, in respect of the principle of subsidiarity". The White Paper is expected for this coming November.
"We are very pleased Ms Reding's initiative has the support of ministers. We hope to be involved in the process of drawing up the White Paper", declared Kim Svenosen, Secretary General of the European Youth Forum, speaking after the work. He announced that a delegation of the European Youth Forum would be meeting Ms Reding on 18 June in order to present her with its ideas, to be integrated into the White Paper. "We are hoping for a very, very ambitious White Paper", said Kim Svenosen.