SOCIAL ECONOMIC COUNCIL

WHAT 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 of the new country of Sint Maarten the government signed the ordinance of the Social Economic Council into law in December 2010.

WHAT IS OUR MISSION?

The Social Economic Council seeks to contribute to good governance on Sint Maarten. Good governance is participatory, consensus oriented, accountable, transparent, responsive, effective and efficient, equitable and inclusive, and follows the rule of law. Together these principles for governance form the conditions for sustainable human development.

Through its constitutional role the Social Economic Council contributes specifically to participatory and consensus orientated governance. Participatory governance means that governing is too important to be left only to the government. As citizens we can do more for our society than to turn up to vote once in every four years. Government can benefit from the knowledge and experience within civil society. The ordinance of the Social Economic Council makes sure experience and knowledge from civil society have a voice and can advise the government of Sint Maarten.

The Council contributes to participatory government but also carries the spirit of consensus-oriented government. Representatives from employees and organizations and independent experts stand strong if they agree after consultation and stand together.At the same time government is able to find out what society thinks about policies and draft law through the discussion in the Social Economic Council. A unanimous positive advice or adaption on draft law is a strong signal from civil society. Furthermore, the Council provides a forum where representatives from employees and employers organizations discuss issues important to both.