SADC Ministers for Social Development to meet in Cape Town, 25

SADC MINISTERS RESPONSIBLE FOR SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT TO MEET IN CAPE TOWN FROM 25 – 27 NOVEMBER

23 November 2004

The South African Development Community (SADC) Ministers responsible for Social Development will meet at the Cape Town Convention Centre from 25 – 27 November.

The SADC is pursuing a broad developmental integration agenda that goes beyond trade integration. This approach accords priority to social development in view of its crucial role both as a factor and as a more comprehensive measure of development. To this end, policies, programmes and strategies have been put in place in the relevant priority areas of human resources development, education, health, social protection, nutrition, water supply, employment/income generation, culture, gender equality and empowerment of women.

The meeting of Ministers on Saturday will be preceded by a meeting of officials on Thursday and Friday where among others there will be presentations by the SADC Secretariat and by New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD).

Media are invited to all three days of the special meeting. Journalists intending to cover the meeting are requested to receive accreditation. Those seeking accreditation are requested to contact Sipho Buthelezi 082 447 9919 or Ms Mpho Mholo at 082 842 2198.

A media briefing will be held at 10h00 on Thursday, 25 November, in Cape Town.

DRAFT PROGRAMME FOR THE SPECIAL MEETING OF MINISTERS RESPONSIBLE FOR SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT IN THE SOUTHERN AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY (SADC)
25 - 27 November 2004, Cape Town, South Africa

Wednesday, 24 November 2004

Arrival and Registration of Officials Delegations

Thursday, 25 November 2004

08:30 – 09:00 - Registration
09:00 – 10:00 - Official Opening
10:00 – 10:30 - Tea/Coffee Break
10:30 – 12:30 - MEETING IN SESSION
(Presentations on Challenges, Responses and Institutional Arrangements)
10:30 – 11:00 - Presentation by SADC Secretariat
11:00 – 11:20 - Discussions
11:20 – 11:50 - Presentation by NEPAD
11:50 – 12:10 - Discussions
12:10 – 12:40 - Presentation by UNESCO
12:40 – 13:00 - Discussions
13:00 – 14:00 - Lunch Break
14:00 – 17:00 - MEETING IN SESSION
(Group Discussions: Challenges, Responses and Institutional Arrangements)
14:00 – 15:30 - Group Discussions
15:30 – 15:45 - Tea Break
15:45 – 17:00 - Group Discussions

Friday, 26 November 2004

09:00 – 12:30 - MEETING IN SESSION
(Group Reports)
09:00 – 09:30 - Presentation by Group 1
09:30 – 10:00 - Discussions
10:00 – 10:30 - Presentation by Group 2
10:30 – 11:00 - Tea/Coffee Break
11:00 – 11:30 - Discussions
11:30 – 12:00 - Presentation by Group 3
12:00 – 12:30 - Discussions
12:30 – 14:00 - Lunch Break
14:00 - 17:00 - Preparation of the Report of Officials and Arrival of Ministers
17:00 – 18:00 - Adoption of the Report of Officials
18:00 Briefing of Ministers by respective Delegations

Saturday, 27 November 2004

08:30 – 16:30 - MEETING OF MINISTERS
08:30 – 09:30 - Official Opening
09:30 – 10:00 - Tea/Coffee Break
10:00 – 13:00 - Meeting in Session
13:00 – 14:00 - Lunch Break
14:00 – 16:30 - Preparation of Ministers’ Record and Communiqué
16:30 Adoption of Record and Communiqué

Enquiries: Kgati Sathekge
Cell: 082 808 9486

Issued by: Department of Social Development
23 November 2004