Development of and prospects for European co-operation in the cultural and scientific fields
- Author(s):
- Parliamentary Assembly
- Origin
- Assembly Debate on 30th September 1965 (14th Sitting) (see Doc. 1971, report of the Cultural and Scientific Committee). Text adopted by the Assembly on 30th September 1965 (14th Sitting).
The Assembly,
1. Having noted the report on the development and prospects of European cooperation in the cultural and scientific fields ;
2. Realising that the distinguishing characteristic of the present phase of historical development is the rapid and inexorable transformation of social structures, political institutions and ideas ;
3. Considering that public affairs can no longer be satisfactorily handled unless those in positions of responsibility have precise ideas on the trends of development and the goals of our civilisation, in other words on the destiny of man and his place in society ;
4. Considering that the choices which Governments and Parliaments are required to make from day to day are such that they not only involve the present generation but also commit the generations to come and that those responsible for making such choices must consequently have their eyes fixed all the time on things to come ;
5. Considering that this must inevitably require from the authorities a habit of constant anticipation of the future ;
6. Considering that European co-operation in cultural and scientific matters, as conceived and practised in the Council of Europe, can offer a significant contribution to the better understanding of man's needs in an evolving society ;
7. Being of the opinion that the two main lines along which our action must proceed - action the peculiar importance of which must lie in the contriving, of "models" for the society of tomorrow, signalised as a "civilisation of leisure", are :
the life-long education of man in order that, being enabled to develop his personality in freedom, he may derive benefit from the natural and cultural resources which, in ever-increasing measure, must be made available to him ;
regional planning whose object should be to provide man with a graceful and healthful environment calculated to promote his physical and moral well-being, by means of the improvement of his surroundings both in the town and in the country, while at the same time safeguarding and making the best possible use of his cultural heritage and the resources of nature ;
8. Considering that some contribution from the Council of Europe towards defining and designing the future environment of the individual all over Europe is all the more necessary now that in the East no less than in the West the policy of the Governments is patently determined by an ideal vision of the pattern of community life,
9. Decides to direct its efforts in the future, in cultural and scientific matters, towards a systematic exploration of living conditions as they are likely to be in the European community of the future, so as to indicate trends of development and to contrive appropriate "models" designed to provide inspiration for the law makers ;
10. Approves the views set forth by its Cultural and Scientific Committee and urges the Committee to promote, together with their colleagues in the CCC, the fruitful idea of anticipation of the future, in particular in the carrying out of its programme on "Leisure" ;
11. Urges :
its Working Party on Regional Planning never to lose sight of the fundamental human element which is at stake in the operation upon which it is engaged, lest it be purely confined to physical and economic considerations ;
its Working Party on Youth Questions to free itself from merely procedural matters, and to tackle resolutely the substance of the problems to which, on the sociological plane, youth questions give rise, in the hope that this will ensure a better understanding of such problems by the authorities ;
its Working Party on Science Policy to equip itself to be the interpreter, within the Assembly, of major scientific achievements and to recommend such forms of collaboration between States as will best enable Europe to derive benefit from these achievements.
