PHILIPSBURG:---  Stuart Johnson recently announced to the Caribbean Union of Teachers (CUT) his official resignation from his position as Third Vice President, effective immediately. Mr. Johnson has accepted a new role within the Government of St. Maarten, leading to his departure from the CUT.
In his resignation letter, Mr. Johnson conveyed the difficulty of his decision, emphasizing the considerable thought and deliberation involved. "It is with a heavy heart that I tender my resignation from my position as the Third Vice President of the Caribbean Union of Teachers (CUT)," Johnson stated. "This decision was not made lightly, and I have deliberated over it for quite some time."
Johnson expressed profound gratitude for his time with the CUT, describing it as an incredibly rewarding experience. "Serving as the Third Vice President has allowed me to collaborate with passionate educators and advocates, and together, we have made significant strides in advancing sports, culture, and the rights and well-being of teachers and students alike in the Caribbean region," he said.
He also conveyed his sincere appreciation to the members of the CUT for their unwavering support, dedication, and commitment to their shared mission. Johnson affirmed that his decision to resign is not a reflection of any dissatisfaction with the organization or its members, but rather due to his new responsibilities within the government of St.Maarten. He expressed his ongoing respect and admiration for the CUT's work and pledged to support its efforts even from outside his official capacity.
Johnson concluded his letter with a message of confidence in the CUT's future success and a heartfelt thanks for the privilege of serving as Third Vice President. "I am confident that the Caribbean Union of Teachers will continue to thrive and make a positive impact under the leadership of our dedicated team of officers and members," he said.
Johnson once again thanked all the members of the Windward Islands Teachers Union (WITU) for the confidence bestowed in him during his WITU presidency enabling this historic first for St. Maarten serving on the CUT executive board.
“I was your president without a facade leadership enabling proper representation both locally and aboard. WITU having over decades of membership with CUT and finally holding an executive role on the CUT spoke volumes,” Johnson stated.
Johnson became the third vice president of the CUT in February 2022 in St. Kitts and was re-elected overwhelmingly in July 2023 in Jamaica at the CUT biennial Conference.
Johnson concluded by stating, “I would like to express deep gratitude for the overwhelming messages received from members and officers of the CUT for my service and contributions made during my tenure at the CUT.”

PHILIPSBURG (DCOMM):---  The Department of Interior and Kingdom Relations (BAK) presented a thorough overview to the Council of Ministers, Secretaries General, and ministers' chiefs of staff on Friday, May 17, 2024.
The session delved into various key aspects, elucidating their respective roles, interactions with Kingdom entities, donor engagements, and European Development Fund (EDF) initiatives.
Furthermore, insights were shared on the evolution of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), originally stemming from the Millennium Development Goals, along with highlighting the alignment between the National Development Vision (NDV) and the SDGs.
In a subsequent presentation, BAK provided an update on Country Packages in the presence of members from the Temporary Work Organization (TWO). This segment detailed operational methodologies, reporting procedures, and the integration with the NDV.
Honorable Prime Minister Dr. Luc Mercelina commented, "This briefing underscores our commitment to effective governance and sustainable development. The collaboration between BAK and relevant stakeholders exemplifies our dedication to advancing our nation's agenda in alignment with global goals.
“Our current needs in addressing poverty, education, and welfare are critical, but we need all pillars to work together. Collaboration on every level to overcome these challenges is essential.
“Our starting position is one unbalanced due to existing social disparities among our people, and these current issues must be addressed to achieve our national vision.
“Through united efforts, we can create a more equitable and prosperous future for all."

PHILIPSBURG (DCOMM):---  Throughout the preceding week, the Council of Ministers (CoM) intensified its R.I.S.E. Onboarding Program - Leadership Excellence, through Relationship Building, Insights, Skills, and Empowerment -, offering ministers vital insights into internal operations.
These ongoing sessions aim to equip ministers with the necessary knowledge to tackle the complexities within their ministries effectively.
Individual ministers engaged in visits to their respective ministries, acquainting themselves with management teams and reviewing transition documents outlining ongoing matters and internal challenges.

Preceding these visits, Personnel & Organization (P&O) provided an overview of the government structure and operations as per the ‘Landsverordening Inrichting and Organisatie Landsoverheid’ (LIOL). This included clarifying the division of responsibilities among ministers, cabinet staff, and ministry secretaries-general, alongside discussions on core values, strategic competencies, and current obstacles.
Dr. Luc Mercelina, the Honorable Prime Minister, emphasized, "The dedication of our ministers to this onboarding process underscores our commitment to effective governance. It is through such initiatives that we strengthen our capacity to serve our nation."
Further sessions throughout the week covered human resource matters, communication strategies, financial management, and digital transformation initiatives.
The Ministry of Finance provided critical insights into budgetary processes, financial strategies, and key procedures like procurement and AO-IC (Administrative Organization and Internal Control). SOAB offered guidance on financial audit assessments, striving for an unqualified audit opinion to ensure robust financial management.
ICT's presentation on the Digital Government Transformation Project highlighted efforts to enhance service delivery and system resilience, supported by the Sint Maarten Recovery, Reconstruction, and Resilience Trust Fund managed by the World Bank.
Dr. Mercelina remarked, "These endeavors reflect our determination to modernize governance and enhance service delivery for the benefit of our citizens and businesses."
As CoM transitions into the next phase, the focus will shift toward Kingdom Affairs, Foreign Relations, Trust Fund projects administered by the National Recovery Program Bureau (NRPB), and preparations for the impending hurricane season.

PHILIPSBURG (DCOMM):---  The Council of Ministers (CoM) convened with press representatives on Friday, May 17, 2024, to discuss enhancements to the current Council of Ministers Press Briefing format.
After introducing the Cabinet members, who have been in office for two weeks, an informal session was held to outline the future approach to press communications, encompassing press conferences, statements, and releases.
During the meeting, various agreements were reached, with some feedback from the press requiring further deliberation and decision-making by the Council of Ministers.
A significant outcome was the decision to review the media accreditation policy. Attendees of the briefings will be invited to offer suggestions for improvement, forming the basis for collaborative discussions.
Prime Minister Dr. Luc Mercelina underscored the media's vital role in nation-building, emphasizing its contribution to keeping the public informed and engaged, thereby fostering hope in the country's emerging democracy.
Regular meetings with the media will be scheduled to maintain ongoing dialogue and collaboration. The first Council of Ministers Press Briefing is slated for Wednesday, May 22, 2024, at 10:00 a.m.
Recognizing the pivotal role of a robust and independent press in informing the public, these efforts aim to enhance communication, rebuild trust, and hope, and ensure citizens are well-informed about their leaders' initiatives and progress.