PHILIPSBURG:--- On Thursday, September 12th 2013, the Social Economic Council (SER) achieved another mile stone, as SER Chairman René Richardson was elected to the international board of International Association of Economic and Social Councils and Similar Institutions (AICESIS) during its General Assembly in Algeria. AICESIS is a worldwide organization representing 70 member states from four different continents. AICESIS functions as an important international organization for social and economic policy. The election of Sint Maarten on the AICESIS board, serves as an example that international organizations continue to recognize Sint Maarten as an autonomous country. This illustrates that Sint Maarten is ready to fulfill its responsibility on an international level.
In the Palace of Nations in Algiers 34 countries from four continents gathered to discuss social and economic topics, exchange best practices, and plan future activities. During the General Assembly the members of AICESIS voted to install the new board for the years 2013-2015. Sint Maarten will represent the region of Latin-America and the Caribbean together with the members Brazil and Curaçao. The president of the Civic Chamber of the Russian Federation dr. Evgeny P. Velikhov was elected President of the international board of AICESIS.
Topics of concern were the consequences of the financial crisis of 2008, the fight against poverty, and the fight against economic crimes. The topic of youth unemployment received special attention and was elaborated on extensively. Presentations were given by, for example, Italy, Brazil, Vietnam, Burkina Faso, Russia, Senegal, China, Argentina, South Africa, Greece, and Spain. Each country elaborated on its main challenges and future social and economic policies.
The delegation of Sint Maarten consisted of SER chairman René Richardson, board member Joseph H. Lake Jr. and policy worker Bas Peters. The costs involved for the SER trip to Algeria, were covered by Dutch cooperation funds managed by USONA.
