PHILIPSBURG:--- On February 13 and 14 2014, the Social Economic Council (SER) took part in the board meeting of the international board of International Association of Economic and Social Councils and Similar Institutions (AICESIS) which were held in Rome, Italy. 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. Sint Maarten, Curaçao and Brazil together represent the region of Latin America and the Caribbean on the board of the AICESIS.
Chairman of the Italian Consiglio Nazionale Economia & Lavoro, Mr. Antonio Marzano welcomed the 18 member states that make up the board of AICESIS to Rome. The purpose of the board meeting was to debate on the various topics of common interest, select future working topics and plan future activities for the duration of the tenure of the board. The president of the Civic Chamber of the Russian Federation Dr. Evgeny P. Velikhov chaired the meeting.
Topics of concern were, fighting poverty, fighting economic crime and corruption, the state of civil society in the world, sustainable development at the Global level and Human capital. Outgoing SER Chairman René Richardson elaborated on the topics of fighting poverty and the development of human capital as they relate to Sint Maarten. The comments of the Sint Maarten delegation were well received and were supported by the board.
Presentations on the state of civil society were given by various members of the Russian delegation.
SER chairman René Richardson's participation in the delegation was his last activity as a SER member and chairperson, as the SER ordinance stipulates mandatory dismissal of a member upon reaching the age of 70, a milestone Mr. Richardson recently passed.
The Sint Maarten delegation consisted of René Richardson, acting chairman Dwight Williams and Secretary-general Gerard Richardson.