"We have an important mission before us. My message is that there are certain serious problems in our society that we need to address, which we need to clean-up. My message is also one of hope and determination: We have to address the problems; we can resolve them and renew our society. This national exercise which we are starting today calls for the participation of us all. We will together address the social ills which are threatening the fabric of our society."

President Michel made this call at the launch of the National Dialogue for Social Renaissance yesterday afternoon, which was held at the International Conference Centre.  The President announced the need for this dialogue in his June 18 National Day address this year.

The President said the national dialogue will include the participation of district-level debates as well as of all sectors of society and all age groups in order to produce a unified plan of action to tackle a variety of social problems.

"In this New Seychelles, we need a radical change in our way of thinking about certain things, a change of 'mindset' where we take our responsibilities, we do our part in the running of our family, our community, our country. We do our part in promoting the values which existed and which we continually need to nourish in our Seychellois culture," said the President in his address.

The President said that all the progress the country has made to-date is at risk of being lost if the social problems increase, and that just as the economic reforms had required great effort and determination, the work to clean-up the country's social ills would also require the same determination and effort.

"We need to take action to remedy  our society. We need a moral and social renaissance. We need a Seychelles that is clean."

President James Michel appointed the National Committee for Social Renaissance this month, which is headed by Designated Minister Vincent Meriton. The Committee is working to steer the national dialogue and gather views and opinions on the key issues of debate.

Additional Information

Diskour Prezidan James Michel,Le 20 Zilyet - Renesans Moral ICCS Viktorya

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