International Centre for Advanced Mediterranean Agronomic Studies

Recommendation 393 (1964)

Author(s):

Parliamentary Assembly

Origin

Assembly debate on 24th April 1964 (6th Sitting) (see Doc. 1752, report of the Committee on Agriculture). Text adopted by the Assembly on 24th April 1964 (6th Sitting).

The Assembly,

Having regard to the report on the Centre for Advanced Mediterranean Agronomic Studies, presented by its Committee on Agriculture ;

Noting that all member Governments of the Council of Europe are actively interested in aid to both member and developing countries, and that such aid, inspired by a sense of international fellowship and co-operation, is in accordance with the aims and the Statute of the Council ;

Whereas one of the best forms of such aid is to promote education in the receiving countries and to train the technicians required and the élite which will form the governing classes of these countries ;

Whereas the dissemination of suitable education is in the spirit of the European tradition ;

Considering that the Mediterranean countries, most of whose inhabitants are engaged in agriculture, can improve their living conditions only if priority is given to training leaders in this chief sector of their economy and that such an endeavour, to be successful, must include all the member countries of the Council of Europe, which would thereby manifest their determination to participate in a work of human fellowship universally recognised as necessary ;

Observing that the Council of Europe has always shown the greatest interest in educational questions, that its achievements in this field are well known and that it has already, in Resolution (61) 17 of its Committee of Ministers, favoured and supported the foundation of the International Centre for Advanced Mediterranean Agronomic Studies ;

Considering that, as the Centre has passed through a trial inaugural period and is about to enter a new phase and range of activity, the time has come to determine the lines of its development and to offer it the guidance and support it requires,

Recommends that the Committee of Ministers should :

1 Invite the Governments signatory to the Agreement of 21st May 1962 establishing the Centre for Advanced Mediterranean Agronomic Studies to do all in their power to expedite the ratification of this Agreement ;

2 Invite the European States interested in promoting intellectual investment in the Mediterranean area to join the seven founder countries in participating fully - through a partial agreement if need be - in the permanent installation of the Centre for Advanced Mediterranean Agronomic Studies and accordingly to sign and ratify the Agreement of 21st May 1962 ;

3 Endeavour, in agreement with the Governing Body of the Centre, to place the new institution within the wider context of the Council of Europe, on the grounds that the Council of Europe is the only primarily European organisation to have been particularly concerned since its foundation with the development of educational relations ; moreover, the International Centre for Advanced Mediterranean Agronomic Studies as an educational institution fully corresponds to the objectives pursued in that field and a closer connection between the Council of Europe and the Centre would enable the teaching to be expanded and, hence, activities to be presented as a cultural expression of European unity with a consequent increase in effectiveness ;

4 Pending the outcome of any negotiations with the Governing Body, strengthen the links between the Council of Europe and the new institution, as advocated in Assembly Recommendations 226 (1960) and 283 (1961), and, to this end, give the Secretary-General and the Assembly every opportunity to co-operate more closely in the activities of the Centre, by placing qualified officials at its disposal and by providing it with the office accommodation and equipment required during the initial period ;

5 Invite the Governments to appoint as representatives to the Governing Body distinguished figures (assisted if necessary by experts and technicians) with wide knowledge of the economic, political, social and cultural problems of the area, since the choice of these persons will have profound effects on the instruction given in the Institutes of the Centre, on the selection of teaching staff and on the recruitment of students ;

6 Urge upon member Governments the need to respect the spirit which inspired the setting up of the Centre, viz. that, besides a technical training, which is to be found in national universities, the Centre gives instruction on the major economic and social problems and on international co-operation, which, as well as technology, govern the improvement of the living standards of the Mediterranean peoples.