afrol News, 3 September - The second EAC Forum for Ministers responsible for Social Development scheduled to take place from 5 to 8 October, 2009, in Bujumbura, Burundi is expected to discuss a draft document on social development.

The meeting of the Forum is also expected to evaluate the implementation of the recommendations made in Kigali and analyse the National Consolidated Reports prepared by the Multisectoral Workings Groups established in each Partner States.

Several preparatory meetings are scheduled to take place namely; meeting of Experts in Social Development from 2 to 3 October; session for Senior Officials on 5 to 6 October; session for Permanent Secretaries (Co-ordination Committee) on 7 October and finally the Ministerial session on 8 October 2009.

UNESCO and UNICEF are the major Development Partners expected to participate in the Forum.

The Forum was established by the 13th Extra-Ordinary Meeting of the EAC Council of Ministers in April 2007 in order to provide a platform for East African Ministers of Social Development to share experience and to harmonize policies and approaches in management of cross-cutting social concerns, such as poverty eradication and overall management of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

The 1st Meeting of the Forum took place in Kigali, Rwanda, from 15 to 19 September, 2008. The Ministers responsible for Social Development made recommendations in four areas of cooperation, being Health and Medical services; Education, Science and Technology, Sports and Culture; Gender, Youth, Children, Social Protection and Community Development and the Environment and Natural Resources.

By staff writer

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