SOCIAL ECONOMIC COUNCIL
W
HAT IS THE SOCIAL ECONOMIC COUNCIL?
The Social Economic Council is an independent advisory organization of the country of Sint Maarten. The council consists
of
three
representatives
from
employers’
organizations, three
representatives
from
employees’
organizations, and three independent experts. All board members have a substitute member. The chairman of the board is an independent expert. The board is assisted by the secretariat of the Social Economic Council. The secretariat consists of five staff members. Obligated by the constitution
orientated governance. Participatory governance means that
of the new country of Sint Maarten the government signed
governing is too important to be left only to the government.
the ordinance of the Social Economic Council into law in
As citizens we can do more for our society than to turn up
December 2010.
to vote once in every four years. Government can benefit from the knowledge and experience within civil society.
WHAT IS OUR MISSION?
The ordinance of the Social Economic Council makes sure
The Social Economic Council seeks to contribute to
experience and knowledge from civil society have a voice
good governance on Sint Maarten. Good governance is
and can advise the government of Sint Maarten.
participatory, consensus oriented, accountable, transparent, responsive, effective and efficient, equitable and inclusive,
The Council contributes to participatory government but
and follows the rule of law. Together these principles for
also carries the spirit of consensus-oriented government.
governance form the conditions for sustainable human
Representatives from employees and organizations and
development.
independent experts stand strong if they agree after consultation and stand together.At the same time government
Through its constitutional role the Social Economic Council
is able to find out what society thinks about policies and draft
contributes specifically to participatory and consensus
law through the discussion in the Social Economic Council.
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GENERAL INFORMATION
The Golden Book of Sint Maarten 11
