Family affairs minister meets Ceps |30 March 2017

Through the process of setting up the new Ministry of Family Affairs, a series of consultative meetings are being held with the civil society, private and public sector organisations that will be working closely with the new ministry.

The Minister for Family Affairs Jeanne Simeon, principal secretary (PS) for family affairs Marie Josée Bonne and PS for social affairs Linda William Melanie have met with the Seychelles Interfaith Council  (Sifco), Seychelles Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI), district administrators (DAs) and the Citizens Engagement Platform (Ceps) board.

The meeting with Ceps was held yesterday afternoon and those present were the Ceps chairman Jules Hoareau, vice-chairman Jude Fred, commissioner and representatives of socio-economic commission Rose Mary Elizabeth, faith based commission Christianne Vidot, education, social and health commission Ronny Arnephy, professionals’ commission Elsia Sinon, gender, rights and governance commission Monica Servina and secretary of Ceps board Marie Nella Azemia.

Ceps board members highlighted challenges they face in their area when it comes to family issues.

They also pledged their engagement to provide support to family programmes and services which will be enforced by the ministry.

Sifco made recommendations on how to educate the family in regards to spirituality and the right way of life, whereas SCCI who represents the business community discussed the productivity and attitudes in workplaces as well as support which it can provide to the ministry for certain cases.

The DAs, being at the root of the districts with more information about the real situations and challenges of the families, discussed ways of collaborating with the ministry to find better and faster solutions for the families in need of help.

The various partners received the opportunity to put forward their views and expectations for the new ministry.

Other meetings are expected to be held with other partners during the coming weeks and Minister Simeon made a commitment to hold further consultations to discuss more pressing issues with key partners after her ministry is up and running.

She said they wanted input of the various partners and organisations so that the ministry is well-represented and their contributions can be seen.

“Following the series of meetings we are collecting the points and suggestions put forward by our partners which will enable us to finalise the ministry’s structure in terms of the organigram and functions. We are aiming to have a draft of the ministry’s structure towards the end of April,” she said.

She also thanked all partners for their engagement and support.

Caption:

Minister Simeon and her team meeting members of Ceps yesterday