Info. about MACOSS (Mauritius)

2.                  THE MAURITIUS COUNCIL OF SOCIAL SERVICE (MACOSS)

 

2.1              Setting Up

 

Following Circular No 832/61 of 17^th July, 1961 from the Secretary of State for the colonies and the felt need of all institutions including statutory bodies and voluntary organisations working for the welfare of the society at large, the Mauritius Council of Social Service was founded in November 1965. From a social service coordinating body, MACOSS has been developed as a Council of NGOs dedicated to social services and sustainable social development.

 

2.2         Enactment

 

The Council was incorporated, under Act 55 of 1970, voted in Parliament providing thus the legal framework of the Council.

 

2.3              Mission

 

As an Umbrella organization for NGOs, MACOSS seeks to promote Social and Community Development and Voluntary Actions through Non-Governmental organisations. It strengthens its member constituents by initiating communication and collaboration, firstly, among NGOs and secondly, between NGOs and Government, primarily through meetings, publications and institutional development activities. MACOSS also facilitates its member organisations and strengthens their organisational capacity.

 

2.4              Purposes

 

(a)                To promote voluntary/charitable purposes and community development in Mauritius, in particular, the advancement of social education, the furtherance of health and the relief of poverty, distress and sickness.

 

(b)               To promote and foster co-operation in the achievement of the above purposes by bringing together representatives of the statutory bodies and voluntary organisations engaged in the furtherance of the above purposes.

 

2.5        Objectives

 

i)                    To stimulate and promote economic, social and cultural activities for the advancement of the community.

ii)                   To assist in the planning and coordination of the activities of Member organizations.

iii)                 To organize workshops, seminars, conferences and training courses for voluntary social workers, personnel of voluntary organizations, non-governmental organizations and professionals to strengthen their organizational and managerial capabilities.

iv)                 To co-ordinate the activities of NGOs in emergency and natural disaster activities and programmes.

v)                  To collect, diffuse and share information pertaining to adult education and development in particular.

vi)                 To promote, encourage and undertake experimental work.

2.6              Council

 

 The Council, at the Annual General Meeting is the Supreme Body.

 

2.7              Executive Committee

 

The Chairman is elected for a one – year mandate. The Council at the Annual General Meeting elects 1/3 of the Executive Committee members for a three-year mandate. One-third of the Elected Executive Committee members retires annually and is re-eligible for election.

 

2.8         Secretariat

 

The Secretariat is responsible for the day-to-day management of the affairs of the Council and the implementation of its programmes and policies.

 

2.9        Sub-Committees

 

Standing Sub-Committees assist the Executive Committee in its various tasks. Section 11(1) Act 55 of 1970.

 

 

3.           Membership and Credentials

 

From January 2005– August 2006, the Credential Committee has gone through all the requests for applications of membership. About 31 requests have been examined and 18 of them have been granted affiliation by the Executive Committee. These organisations are as follows: -

 

(i)                  African Network for the Protection and Prevention of Child Network – ANPPCAN

(ii)                Association Civique de Midlands

(iii)               Association of Rotarians of Beau Bassin/ Rose Hill

(iv)              Club de Parrainage pour le Bien Etre des Enfants en Difficultés

(v)                Comité Quartier de la Rue la Paix et des Rues Avoisinates

(vi)              Espoir et Vision Sans Frontieres

(vii)             Esther Women’s Association

(viii)           Falcom Citizen League

(ix)              Laventure Technical School for Disabled

(x)                Muscular Dystrophy Association

(xi)              Nari Pragati Sabha

(xii)             Satyeshwar Prakritik Chikitsalaya Evam Yog Kendra

(xiii)           Sponsor a Child

(xiv)           Teens in Control

(xv)            The Aaleemee Society

(xvi)           The Buddhist Society

(xvii)         The Ramayana Centre

(xviii)        Youngsters Association

 

 

As at 30 August 2006, 220 organisations were affiliated to the Council. These organisations may be grouped as follows, recognizing that some have overlapping objectives: