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Inauguration of the Regional Leadership Centre - Invitation Card
Inauguration of the Regional Leadership Centre (RLC) for Civil Society Organisations (CSOs)
We are pleased to invite you to the Official Ceremony to inaugurate the Regional Leadership Centre (RLC) for Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) at Reduit Triangle, Moka as follows:
| Time: | 13.00 hours |
| Date: | Monday 27 February 2017 |
| Venue: | Construction Site, Reduit Triangle, Moka (behind Appollo Bramwell Hospital) |
Click here to view the Invitation Card
Campaign Against Alcohol Abuse & Half-Day Workshop at Coromandel
The increasing consumption of alcohol and its adverse impact on the Mauritian society and economy is a growing concern. According to a recent report produced by the World Health Organization, Mauritians consume an average of 3.6 litres of alcohol each year. Men drink about 5.9 litres of alcohol per year, while women consume roughly 1.4 litres of alcohol per year. Besides, it is estimated that some 300 people die due to excessive alcohol consumption, and, that some 6,000 – 7,000 patients have health problems due to excessive consumption of alcohol and visit hospitals for treatment every year.
At the same time, we have witnessed an increase in drug consumption, including synthetic drugs. It is against this background that the Mauritius Council of Social Service (MACOSS) has decided to carry out a National Campaign Against Alcohol Abuse and Drug Abuse since mid-July 2016. The campaign includes a Media campaign (billboard, press articles, social media, posters, etc.) as well as Half-day workshops and Talks to sensitise Community Leaders, Community Workers and the general public.
The sensitisation of Community Leaders and Social Workers is a key component of the Campaign. In this respect, we are pleased to invite you and your members to a ‘Half-Day Workshop’ (for Community Leaders and Social Workers) from 13.00 to 15.30 hours on Wednesday 25 January 2017 at Coromandel Community Centre.
SALT Workshops
The Mauritius Council of Social Service (MACOSS) collaborated with an Internationals NGO, The Constellation, to organise The Mauritius Learning Festival 2016 from 4th to 8th April at Coeur de Ville, Flacq and in various locations in Mauritius. A week of activities was programme where SALT practitioners Worldwide together would visit and learn from and with NGOs/Communities in Mauritius. The Festival would be an opportunity to further use the concept of SALT (Stimulate, Appreciate, Learn and Transfer) to empower communities to identify common key issues and develop solutions to address them. Since then, MACOSS, with the support of a local NGO called “Le Pont du Tamarinier” and a SALT facilitator Mr. Autry Haynes, has been organising workshops to assist communities to use the “SALT” Concept to conduct a situation analysis, identify key issues and potential solutions as well as to envision the future.
The first “SALT session” was carried out with members of a newly formed network called the “Disability Network”.
With a view to building the capacity of and reinforcing the bonds between Honorary members (past and present), members of the Executive Committee and staff of MACOSS, a SALT workshop was organised on Saturday 18 June 2016 at Centre Social Marie Reine de la Paix.
Three other SALT workshops are programmed with leaders and members of Poverty Eradication Networks (PEN).
“Together We Save Planet Earth”
The Mauritius Council of Social Service (MACOSS), in collaboration with the Flacq District Council, launched a “Green Space by and for Persons with Disabilities” on Monday 13th June 2016 at Central Flacq (Taxi Stand, behind bus station).
The event was kick-started by an official ceremony where key addresses were made by Mr. Geerish Bucktowonsing, Chairperson of MACOSS, and Mr. Rajkumarsingh, Chairman of Flacq District Council. Both of them highlighted the importance of Sustainable Development (including the need to protect the environment) as well as the Global Sustainable Development Goals (17 SDGs).
Two panels, one showcasing the 17 SDGs and another one entitled “Together We Save Planet Earth”, were then unveiled by the chief guests. Various endogenous/ decorative plants were then put in the ground. The last part of the programme involved the Plantation of Trees/ Shrubs in the yard of Coeur de Ville, Flacq.
The event was attended by more than 200 people, including Members of Flacq District Council, Members of the Executive Committee and Staff of MACOSS, Staff and Students of Disability Centres and Disability Schools, Representatives and Staff of NGOs, Students and Staff of Colleges in the region of Flacq.
World Environment Day 2016
To mark the World Environment Day 2016, an Exhibition cum Regional Fair was organised by the Ministry of Environment, Sustainable Development and Disaster and Beach Management.This was in line with the Government’s objective to transform Mauritius into a truly forward looking, environmentally sustainable and innovative country. The Exhibition cum Regional Fair was held from Thursday 2 June to Sunday 5 June at Gymkhana, Vacoas. MACOSS and the following organizations participated in the Regional Fair
- Association Pour l’Education des Enfants Défavorisés
- Association des Malades et des Handicapés de l’Est
- SOS Patrimoine en Péril
- Eco-Sud
World Blood Donor Day 2016
The “Association of Blood Donation Organizers- ABDO” celebrated the World Blood Donor Day 2016 on 11 June 2016 at the Town Hall of the Municipality of Quatre Bornes. The Theme for the year 2016 was “Blood connect us all”.
Mr Geerish Bucktowonsing, Chairperson of MACOSS addressed the audience on that day and emphasized on the following points:
- The demand for blood in hospitals and clinics has increased significantly due to the rise in the number of accidents and other diseases.
- Blood donation has become even more important to save lives of many people including patients with renal diseases, hemophilia and other surgical cases.
- Need to sensitize people of all walks of life to encourage them to donate their blood – the world will be forever grateful to all of us.
Click on the link below to read the message from the Chairperson of Macoss on WORLD BLOOD DONOR DAY 2016.
Message from Chairperson of MACOSS-WORLD BLOOD DONOR DAY 2016
Empowering Leaders & Staff of NGOs in the Disability Sector
With a view to Empowering Leaders & Staff of NGOs in the Disability Sector, the Mauritius Council of Social Service organised a One-Day workshop on Wednesday 11 May, 2016 at the Town Hall, Municipality of Quatre Bornes. Some 60 NGO Leaders and Staff participated in the workshop.
The workshop was kick-started by a welcome address by Mr. Niven Muneesamy, Secretary of MACOSS. Addresses were then made sent by the following persons:
- Rita Venkatasawmy, OSK, Ombudsperson for Children
- Chandranee Bhuckory, PDSM, OSK, Honorary President of MACOSS
- Geerish Bucktowonsing, Chairperson of MACOSS
- Daneshar Babooa, Chairperson of the “Welfare of Persons with Disabilities Sub-Committee of MACOSS”
All of them emphasised on the important role played by NGOs in assisting and supporting persons with disabilities and, therefore, the necessity to empower leaders and staff to better confront issues cropping out in their daily operations.
In the second part of the workshop, several resource persons made presentations as follows:
- “Special Education Needs” by Mr Y. Kistomohun, Assistant Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education and Human Resources, Tertiary Education and Scientific Research
- “Recognition of Prior Learning in the field of Special Education Needs” by Mr. Roshan Ramchurrun, Accreditation Officer, Mauritius Qualifications Authority o
- “Services provided to Persons with Disabilities by the Ministry of Social Security, National Solidarity and Reform Institutions” by Mr. Sateeanan Ramdhayan – Principal Disability and Empowerment Officer, NCRD
In the third part of the workshop, Mr. Autry Haynes used the SALT Concept to assist participants to uncover issues confronted by Disability Schools and Centres and to identify potential solutions.
World Cancer Day 2016
MACOSS is supporting the Cancer Association of Mauritius (CANMA) in a sensitization and awareness campaign to commemorate the World Cancer Day 2016.
In this respect, we have the pleasure to invite you and your members to mark the event on:
Date: Thursday 4 February 2016
Time: 09.00 hours
Venue: Gymkhanaa Sports Complex, Vacoas
Please find below the invitation.
