15. Final Declaration and Action Plan of the Second Summit of Heads of State and Government of the member States of the Council of Europe (1997)

(Adopted at the Second Summit of the Heads of State and Government of the Council of Europe, 11 October 1997)

We, Heads of State and Government of the member States of the Council of Europe, gathered in Strasburg on 10 and 11 October 1997 for our Organization’s Second Summit,

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AWARE OF THE EDUCATIONAL AND CULTURAL DIMENSION OF THE MAIN CHALLENGES TO BE FACED BY EUROPE IN THE FUTURE AS WELL AS OF THE ESSENTIAL ROLE OF CULTURE AND EDUCATION IN STRENGTHENING MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING AND CONFIDENCE BETWEEN OUR PEOPLES:

– express our desire to develop education for democratic citizenship based on the rights and responsibilities of citizens, and the participation of young people in civil society,

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– encourage 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.

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Action Plan

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IV. Democratic Values and Cultural Diversity

1. Education for democratic citizenship: the Heads of State and Government decide to launch an initiative for education for democratic citizenship with a view to promoting citizens’ awareness of their rights and responsibilities in a democratic society, activating existing networks, and including a new youth exchange programme.

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