Concrete plan of action for youth

Catholic Herald Correspondent
ACONCRETE programme of action for the Young Christian Workers of Britain for years to come will come out of the Charter for European Youth drawn up in Strasbourg during the conference and great rally of 30,000 young people from 16 European countries at the beginning of the month.
Contact between YCW leaders and the Ministries of Labour and Education as well as the TUC has already been established. Plans are being drawn up for a delegation of YCWs from all over the country to meet the various authorities and explain what the Charter would mean as applied to Britain.
A popular version of the Charter was presented in seven languages at a mass meeting in the Meinau Stadium at the end of the rally. and each of the 120 young British delegates will receive a copy of the full Charter with suggestions for its implementation.
A special European Commission is now working on the official version for presentation to Governments and other authorities.
Among its demands will be: Reception services for young migrant workers; Compulsory day release for all young people under 18 years; The provision of a community service scheme fur the young; Special courses in marriage training; Better opportunities to save before marriage; Marriage bonuses, and loans without interest.
Mr. Michael Foley, the leader of the British delegation, said on his return : Our contact with the European YCW showed us that very much more needs to be done in Britain in terms of social legislation for the young at work.
"In many countries young people have four weeks' annual holiday with pay, as well as six days' paid cultural leave a year to attend special training or educational courses.
"A field in which we are particularly backward is the representation of young people in industry. It is almost unheard of in this country for young people to be present on committees of consultation.
"In France, Germany and Belgium very much more progress has been made. This is not limited to the local levels. We were staggered to learn that the French YCW is represented on the National Council for Economic Planning."
Discussing the Charter, Mr. Foley said: "It will be a practical programme which, in the spirit of Mater el Magistra is designed to apply Christian social doctrine to concictc situations. In this sense its scope will not be limited to Catholics. Already many nonCatholic organisations have expressed great interest.
"We have heard much in recent months about the problems of Mods and Rockers. The Charter ss,11 be an attempt to tackle this question at the roots. Through it we hope that young people will be encouraged to take their rightful place in society and play a positive part in its Christian transformation.
"In this sense the rally at Strasbourg was not a finale, but a beginning. The 120 delegates from England must soon take up the iestrurnent which they have helped to fashion and use it on behalf of their fellow youth."
Mgr. Joseph Cardijn, the founder of YCW, was described by the Pope in a message to the Rally as "our dear Mgr. Cardijn". The Pope told the 2.000 delegates that in drawing up the Charter they would play their part in laying the foundations of a peaceful and united Europe.
Mgr. Cardijn celebrated Mass in the stadium on Sunday morning before 30.000 people and 100 priests in white albs passed among the congregation distributing Holy Communion.