Illiteracy and social exclusion

The committee adopted the own-initiative report by Marie-Thérèse HERMANGE (EPP-ED, F) on illiteracy and social exclusion. It called for joint action at European level to ensure that efforts to combat illiteracy formed an integral part of the programmes to combat social exclusion, as well as other Community policies. The committee urged the Commission to submit a Green Paper on the topic and propose specific indicators and benchmarks relating to illiteracy in connection with the employment guidelines and the open method of coordination used in the fight against poverty and exclusion. The Green Paper should contain a timetable for tangible objectives. The Commission was also urged to present a proposal for a recommendation to Member States on measures to be taken at national, local and regional level. Another suggestion made by the committee was that the Commission and the Council should set up a European illiteracy monitoring centre. Lastly, the committee called on the Commission to submit an annual report on the progress achieved in combating illiteracy and social exclusion.�