1 October 1993

Doc. 6948

MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION

on the setting up of a European Peace Corps

presented by Mr BARTODZIEJ and others

1.       The Assembly considers that the profound political and economic changes in Europe and the war in former Yugoslavia demonstrate the importance and indeed the necessity of setting up a European system of assistance and co-operation to build European unity through democracy and peace.

2.       It is therefore in favour of setting up a European peace corps as part of the Council of Europe, with the following aims:

i.       assistance and European co-operation in language teaching, cultural exchanges and environmental protection;

ii.       assistance in rehabilitating areas stricken by war or natural disasters;

iii.       assistance in building democratic structures in Central and Eastern Europe and organising democratic systems of local and regional government.

3.       Peace and European co-operation aimed at future unity call for further organised efforts by the Council of Europe member states.

4.       The Assembly accordingly proposes to:

i.       study the experience of the American Peace Corps;

ii.       set up among the Council of Europe member states a European organisation capable of drawing people, especially young people, closer together in Europe;

iii.       further encourage co-operation among the people and voluntary organisations already engaged in European co-operation;

iv.       explore the possibility of considering work for the Corps as equivalent to military service and financing the Corps' activities under the budgets of the Council of Europe member states in view of the decrease in military expenditure.

Signed:       Bartodziej, Wielowieyski, Flückiger, Bratinka, Böhm, Roseta, Soell, Junghans, Siemienowicz, Meszaros, Gotzev, Mimaroglu.