Article 17: The Council for Human and Social Development

  1. The Council for Human and Social Development shall consist of Ministers designated by the Member States. Each Member State shall be entitled to designate alternates to represent it on COHSOD.
  1. Subject to the provisions of Article 12, COHSOD shall be responsible for the promotion of human and social development in the Community. In particular, COHSOD shall:

(a)        promote  the  improvement  of  health,  including  the  development and organisation of efficient and affordable health services in the Community;

(b)        promote the development of education through the efficient organisation of educational and training facilities in the Community, including elementary and advanced vocational training and technical facilities;

(c)        promote and develop co-ordinated policies and programmes to improve the living and working conditions of workers and take appropriate measures to facilitate the  organisation and  development of  harmonious labour and industrial relations in the Community;

(d)        establish policies and programmes to promote the development of youth and women in the Community with a view to encouraging and enhancing their participation in social, cultural, political and economic activities;

(e)        promote and establish programmes for the development of culture and sports in the Community;

(f)         promote the development of special focus programmes supportive of the establishment and maintenance of a healthy human environment in the Community, and

(g)        undertake any additional functions remitted to it by the Conference, arising under this Treaty.

 

  1. Without prejudice to the requirements of any other provision of this Treaty, COHSOD shall promote co-operation among the Member States in the areas set out in the schedule hereto in furtherance of the objectives set out in Article 5.