The introduction notes that juvenile delinquency is one of the major social phenomena facing European societies; and it proposes that one of the European Union's main objectives should be the shaping of a common strategy to combat juvenile delinquency. A section of this report then outlines the causes of juvenile delinquency, followed by a discussion of the limitations of traditional juvenile justice systems. A review of new trends in juvenile justice indicates that good European practices in juvenile justice are in three main areas: prevention, educational treatment in centers (with or without detention), and socio-occupational integration. A separate section notes measures adopted within the European Union to address juvenile delinquency. In presenting a rationale for developing a European frame of reference on juvenile justice, this report notes that juvenile delinquency is a common problem for European countries and can be usefully addressed by the European Union's (EU's) institutions. Although the United Nations and the Council of Europe have established a number of international standards regarding juvenile delinquency and juvenile justice systems, they have little or no binding force. The EU should improve on these principles and make them more effective within its jurisdiction. In identifying issues to be addressed in the development of a European juvenile justice policy, this report mentions a mechanism for developing such a policy; the identification of the European Commission's policy areas where juvenile justice objectives should be formulated; the development of data-collection mechanisms for juvenile justice matters; the identification and implementation of best practices in juvenile justice; and budgetary matters.