FOREWORD
The establishment of a Directorate for Youth inside the
Council of Europe has motivated the Advisory Committee
of the European Youth Centre and the European Youth Foundation
to think in depth about its role within the youth structure
of the Council of Europe. For many years already the interactive
process between youth organisations and the European Youth
Centre and Foundation has made it possible for youth organisations
to react quickly to new developments in society, mainly
thanks to the financial and educational support of the
two institutions.
The permanent exchange of knowledge and information which
exists between the youth organisations and the Council
of Europe, based on long experience and on the easy access
youth organisations have to these institutions, has provided
a multiplier effect of the actions undertaken by youth
organisations and of those coming from the Council of
Europe.
According to the statutes of the EYC and EYF, the Advisory
Committee can propose opinions on any subject within the
competence of these bodies. During the 1991-1992 mandate
the Advisory Committee discussed in length its role. In
an attempt to leave some more permanent traces of its
work and ideas, in particular with regard to the functioning
of the new Directorate for Youth inside the Council of
Europe, the Advisory Committee decided to study more in
depth this important subject.
The aims of such a study are to obtain an overview of
work carried out to combat racism and xenophobia by the
various youth organisations cooperating with the Council
of Europe1. With this publication the Advisory
Committee therefore aims to give a concrete example of
this interactive process that takes place between youth
organisations and the institutions of the Council of Europe
and to provide a stimulus to those who wish to work for
tolerance.
Anke van der Mei
Chairperson of the Advisory Committee EYC/EYF, March 1993