INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF "NEDLACs" MEETS IN THE
HAGUE
5 July2001
The International Association of Economic and Social Councils
and Similar Institutions meets today and tomorrow in the Hague to
discuss how the social and economic councils of the world can work
together to ensure that the views of civil society are given a
platform in economic and social issues. Professor Raymond Parsons,
overall convenor of Business in Nedlac, is representing South
Africa's Economic and Social Council, Nedlac, in the meeting.
It is the 7th meeting of the International Body, which was
launched two years ago in Port Louis, Mauritius. The agenda of the
two-day meeting includes inputs by the Consultative Political
Conference of the People's Republic of China, and the Economic and
Social Councils of Algeria and Romania on the dialogue between
economic and social forces.
The main discussion will be on the theme of "Balancing
globalisation: essential for the vulnerable". A working group
consisting of the Economic and Social Councils of the Netherlands,
Romania and Italy, the consultative forum of Mercosur, the Union of
Economic and Social Councils of Africa and the Economic and Social
Committee of the European Union has been preparing an input on this
theme. The results of the round table discussion will be presented
to representatives of the World Trade Organisation and the
International Labour Organisation, with an opportunity for further
discussion.
In his report to the meeting, the Executive Secretary of the
Association, Bertrand Duruflé, said that it was unfortunate that
the much-publicized demonstrations against globalization were often
seen as a manifestation of civil society. He indicated that the
Economic and Social Councils of the world were the "qualified and
rightful representatives of civil society" and that it would be
important to inform International Organisations of the "analyses,
predictions and concerted views of the main social and economic
operators at work in our respective countries".
Other initiatives of the International Association include an
official Directory of the World's Economic and Social Councils, a
website, comparative studies and links with the United National
Economic and Social Council and other leading International
Organisations. It aims to help set up new Economic and Social
Councils throughout the world. The Executive Secretary notes,
however, that there is no one particular model that the
International Association dictates. The underlying principle would
be that of establishing a "true dialogue, involving the main
economic, social and cultural partners" in each country.
For further information, contact Professor Raymond Parsons, at
the Steigenberger Kurhaus Hotel in the Hague,
Tel 0931 704 162 636 or
Fax: 0931 704 162 646.
The website of the International Association is: www.aicesis.org.
Issued in Johannesburg by Nedlac
Jennifer Wilson
Communications Coordinator
Nedlac
(011) 482-2511
fax: 482 4650
082 495 1341