“Dialogue is not a procedure, but a culture”

 Curaçao chairs global AICESIS meeting in Belgrade

Willemstad/Belgrade, April 9, 2025 – The Social and Economic Council (SER) of Curaçao successfully chaired the statutory Board meeting of the International Association of Economic and Social Councils and Similar Institutions (AICESIS), held on April 8, 2025, in Belgrade, Serbia. The session was co-chaired by Mr. John Jacobs, President of AICESIS and acting Chairman of the SER of Curaçao, who participated virtually, and Mr. Raul Henriquez, Secretary-General and Director of the SER, who presided on site in Belgrade.

This shared leadership underscores Curaçao’s central role within the global network of socioeconomic advisory bodies. Among the key decisions taken was the initiation of the procedure for establishing a new governance structure for AICESIS—a strategic step toward institutional continuity and renewal, ahead of the conclusion of Curaçao’s presidency in October this year.

A strong call for social dialogue

The Board meeting was held following the international conference entitled “25 Years of Social Dialogue in the Republic of Serbia,” hosted by the Ministry of Labour, Employment, Veteran and Social Policy of the Republic of Serbia under the leadership of Minister Nemanja Starović. The conference offered space for critical reflection on the evolving role of structured consultation in a time of social, economic and political transformation.

Speaking on behalf of the AICESIS Presidency, Mr. Henriquez delivered an opening address in which he praised Serbia’s enduring commitment to democratic dialogue and institutional resilience. Referring to the country’s progress in social dialogue and labor reform, he emphasized that “dialogue is not a procedure, but a culture”—a reference to the communicative theory of democracy as articulated by philosopher Jürgen Habermas.

Henriquez pointed to several recent initiatives in Serbia, including labor law modernization, the fight against child labor, and capacity-building for trade unions and employers’ organizations. He also underlined that Serbia’s achievements offer valuable lessons for emerging democracies around the globe, including those in Latin America, Africa, and the Caribbean.

Curaçao to host AICESIS Board and General Assembly meetings

The Board confirmed that the upcoming AICESIS Board meeting and General Assembly will take place in Willemstad, Curaçao, probably on October 30 and 31, 2025. As current chair of AICESIS, the SER of Curaçao will serve as host and organizing institution. Preparations for the event are already underway.

These sessions in Willemstad are expected to spotlight major initiatives, including the joint AICESIS–ILO Global Conference in Madrid and the advancement of a unified Sustainable Growth Index framework—two flagship efforts in support of inclusive development and participatory governance.

A strategic voice for the Caribbean

By presiding over and hosting AICESIS’ central meetings, Curaçao positions itself as a diplomatic bridge between Europe, Latin America, and the Caribbean. The active participation of Caribbean states in global consultative networks such as AICESIS presents a unique opportunity to bring regional priorities—such as climate justice, labor migration, informal employment, and digital inclusion—to the forefront of the international agenda. In doing so, Curaçao contributes to a more equitable and inclusive model of global policy-making.

About AICESIS

AICESIS (International Association of Economic and Social Councils and Similar Institutions) is the global association of economic and social councils and similar institutions, with members spanning over sixty countries. The organization plays a vital role in promoting inclusive development, participatory governance and multilateral cooperation, working closely with the International Labour Organization (ILO), the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), the Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), and the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC).