6. 8. 91 Official Journal of the European Communities No L 217/25 (Acts whose publication is not obligatory) COUNCIL COUNCIL DECISION of 29 July 1991 adopting the ‘Youth for Europe’ programme (second phase) (91/39S/EEC) THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community, and in particular Article 235 thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the Commission ('), Having regard to the opinion of the European Par- liament (%), Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee (%), Whereas the Member States, when they signed the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community, declared themselves determined to lay the foundations of an ever closer union among the peoples of Europe; Whereas, in order to achieve that objectivé, the Treaty provides for powers to take action to ensure freedom of movement for employed and self-employed persons and those receiving services; Whereas specific measures should be taken to assist young people to develop their sense of initiative and to foster an awareness in them of their abilities and responsi- bilities ; Whereas, when they met on 13 December 1976 (%) and 12 July 1982 (%), the Council and the Ministers for Education, meeting within the Council, were resolved on the need () OJ No C 308, 8, 12. 1990, p. 6. () OJ No C 158, 17. 6. 1991. () OJ No C 159, 17. 6. 1991, p. S. (9 OJ No C 308, 30. 12. 1976, p. 1. () OJ No C 193, 28. 7. 1982, p. 1. adequately to prepare young people for adult and working life, and adopted action programmes relating thereto; Whereas the European Council, meeting on 28 and 29 June 1985, adopted the conclusions of the ad hoc Committee on a People’s Europe, which called for the promotion of youth exchanges within the Community and for an effective network of exchanges within and between Member States ; Whereas the European Parliament, in its resolutions of 12 March 1981 on youth activities (§), of 7 June 1983 on a European Communities programme to promote youth exchanges (") and of 16 December 1983 on a European voluntary service scheme for young people (¥), advocated strengthening Community activities in this field ; ' Whereas youth exchanges are an appropriate method of enabling young people to understand more about the European Community and its Member States and of promoting social cohesion within the Community; whereas they thus contribute to the training and prepara- tion of young people for adult and working life and to the development of a greater awareness of their abilities and responsibilities ; Whereas, since substantial improvement in the quality and quantity of youth exchanges and mobility can be achieved by a series of support measures at Community level complementing the measures taken by the Member States and taking into account the experience and the current contribution of bodies already working in this field ; (9 OJ No C 77, 6. 4. 1981, p. S8. () O No C 184, 11. 7. 1983, p. 22. () O] No C 10, 16. 1. 1984, p. 286.