Civil society bodies of Mauritius and Seychelles strengthen ties |23 October 2015

The Citizens Engagement Platform Seychelles and its Mauritian counterpart, the Mauritius Council of Social Service (Macoss), have cemented their partnership through a memorandum of understanding.

The memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed in Mauritius on October 10 at a grand ceremony as part of celebrations to mark Mauritius Council of Social Service (Macoss) 50 years of existence.

The Citizens Engagement Platform Seychelles (Ceps) was represented by its vice-chairperson Jude Fred and secretary to the Ceps board, Marie-Nella Azemia. Macoss chairperson Geerish Bucktowonsing signed on behalf of his organisation.

Present at the event were Macoss office bearers and member affiliates as well as the Mauritian Vice-Prime Minister and Minister for Energy and Public Utilities, Ivan Collendavelloo and Minister for Social Security, National Solidarity & Reform Institutions, Fazila Jeewa-Daureeawoo.

The MoU brings the two civil society bodies together so as to enable them to partner on common issues and implement related programmes in the Indian Ocean region.

The agreement also permits member organisations of the two bodies to network with each other.

It is also expected that Macoss and Ceps would undertake exchange programmes on an annual basis.

The two parties have identified a need for conducting capacity building in the areas of leadership within their individual civil society platforms; therefore through the MoU both parties have agreed to support a Regional Civil Society Leadership Learning Centre.

Macoss and Lungos (Ceps’ predecessor) have in the past maintained a networking relationship. With Ceps replacing Lungos and Macoss developing an NGO policy, this agreement will allow experiences and best practices within the sectors to be shared, especially when it comes to the work currently being carried out by civil society organisations between the two countries.

Following the adoption of the post-2015 development agenda held this past September in New York, both the Seychelles and Mauritius platforms have identified that there is a need to promote and contribute towards sustainable development strategies. This will therefore be another area where there will be engagement between the two parties. 

Also under this MoU, Ceps and Macoss will develop resource mobilisation strategies for the successful implementation of programmes under the agreement.

This MoU, which will be valid for a period of two years, is based on goodwill and mutual cooperation between Macoss and Ceps.  

Macoss is an umbrella organisation set up in 1965 to coordinate the activities of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in Mauritius.

From a social service coordinating body, Macoss developed as a council of NGOs, dedicated to social services and sustainable social development.

The council was incorporated under Act 55 of 1970, thus providing the legal framework for its operation.

This Act provides that the objects of Macoss are to promote any charitable purposes for the benefit of the community in Mauritius, in particular the advancement of social education, furtherance of health, relief of poverty, distress and sickness and foster cooperation in the achievement of these purposes by bringing together representatives of voluntary organisations.

The mission of the Ceps unfolds into relevant working themes which include providing common ground for civil society participation in development enabling overall growth and development of the civil society sector, capacity development, inter-organisational/sector networking and liaison, partnership facilitation, policy engagement and the delivery of some essential services to the sector.

Ceps has a membership of over 60 civil society organisations (CSOs) and it aims to enhance citizens’ engagement in development.

Ceps’ vision is “to be a credible and strong platform that engages strategically and systematically in nation-building”.

Its mission is to be “united and engaged as key partners in nation-building through active dialogue, participation and action”.