Increased localisation of top management posts and better graduate retention are just two of a host of issues stemming from last week’s social development conference.

The three-day conference, held under the theme “Integrating People in Development for Economic and Social Dynamism,” drew to a close on Friday at the Berjaya Mahe Beach Hotel.

Dr Michel Rosalie, the director general of the Social Development Division (SDD) in the Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment, said that a number of other recommendations came out of last week’s discussions, such as taking a more detailed look at the role of research in social development, population issues and the social fabric of society.

One underlying theme covered by various guest speakers, which included Anand Pankaj from the Society for Participatory Research in Asia, was the creation of a central, “focal-point” organisation with which various stakeholders could consult.

During several question and answer sessions on Friday November 28, some of the more than 150 participants at the conference, across all sectors, inquired about several development issues of prevalence in the country. 

Some called for more localisation of senior management posts that are now taken up by expatriates, especially with respect to the construction and tourism industries.

Others said that the country needs to take a look at why many university graduates stay abroad after completing their education instead of returning to work in Seychelles.

Reward schemes for “technical people” was also brought up, given that the only usual compensation for employees in certain fields was a promotion into upper management, leaving vacant technical posts to be filled by less experienced people.

Dr Rosalie said the input from the conference, the first of its kind since 1998, will be used by the SDD to compile a framework for a national plan of action to be put forward to the government in February.

Capacity building towards training and productivity issues would be one of the points of emphasis for the plan, which is to span across the next five years, Dr Rosalie said.

Marja MacGaw, the principal secretary for the Ministry of Health, officially closed the workshop in the absence of the Minister for Social Affairs and Employment, Dolor Ernesta.

Ms MacGaw called the conference a “landmark event” that was a reflection of President France Albert Rene’s dedication of the year 2003 to such issues.

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