The Social and Economic Development Council - CDES - was established under Law number 10.683, on May 28, 2003, aiming to link Government and society, and to promote social dialogue towards development.

As society representing institution, CDES plays the role of supporting the Government political judgment. Along with this, it has been assisting the President of the Republic.

The challenge is to establish dialogue amid all of the various representations of civil society to discuss public policies and to propose measures related to the Nation’s growth.

The main characteristics of the Council are the diversity of its members, the focus on development issues, the social dialogue towards building consensus of its members, and the tool to bring together national and international institutions.

The Council has completed eight years of activities. Its main aspects have been consolidated and several results have been achieved, among them the demonstration of the relevance of social dialogue on inter-sectorial consensus building, the important contribution on the public agenda, and international recognition.