Reply to Recommendation 1319 (1997) - Organisation by the Council of Europe of a second European campaign on North-South interdependence and solidarity in 1998

Doc. 8005

6 February 1998

Organisation by the Council of Europe of a second European campaign on North-South interdependence and solidarity in 1998

Reply to Recommendation 1319 (1997)

from the Committee of Ministers

adopted on 20 January 1998 at the 615^th meeting of the Ministers’ Deputies

The Committee of Ministers gave an interim reply in July 1997 to Assembly Recommendation 1319 (1997). After having examined the proposal contained in this Recommendation, the Committee of Ministers has decided in favour of the organisation by the Council of Europe of a campaign on global interdependence and solidarity : Europe against poverty and social exclusion.

The ideas expressed in Recommendation 1319 are in harmony with the concerns of the Heads of State and Government of the Council of Europe member States as expressed in the Final Declaration adopted at the Second Summit (Strasbourg, 10-11 October 1997). In this text, they encouraged “understanding between the citizens of the North and the South, in particular through information and civic education for young people, as well as initiatives aimed at promoting mutual respect and solidarity among peoples”.

However, in view of the Council’s limited budgetary resources, this campaign will have to be financed by voluntary contributions from member States, international organisations and other possible donors. The Committee of Ministers also considers that the 1998 Universal Exposition in Lisbon would offer an appropriate occasion to launch the campaign which could be concluded in connection with the celebrations of the Council of Europe’s 50th anniversary in 1999.

With a view to devising a campaign plan at European level and within member States, the Committee of Ministers has instructed the Secretary General to prepare the first meeting of an International Steering Committee. The Committee of Ministers also expresses the wish that the Parliamentary Assembly and the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of Europe be associated with the organisation and activities of the campaign.