PHILIPSBURG:---  The Presidium of Parliament of Sint Maarten has officially established a Digital Transformation and Artificial Intelligence (AI) Workgroup, marking a significant step toward modernizing parliamentary operations and further integration of innovative technologies.

This initiative stems directly from insights and recommendations gathered by parliamentary staff during a ParlAmericas Study Visit on Artificial Intelligence and Digital Transformation hosted by the Chamber of Deputies of Chile. The establishment of this Workgroup also directly supports the theme of the Parliamentary Year 2025–2026, namely: “Building Digital Trust: Exploring a National AI Strategy and the Further Development of an Open Parliament.”

Building on these developments, the Presidium of Parliament, in its meeting of February 17, 2026, approved the formal establishment of the Digital Transformation and AI Workgroup. The Workgroup will guide Parliament’s progression through the stages of digitization, digitalization, and full digital transformation, while promoting the responsible, transparent, and ethical use of artificial intelligence.

The Workgroup’s mandate includes:
Assessing Parliament’s current digital environment;
Supporting the development and implementation of a Digital Transformation Programme;
Recommending frameworks for AI governance and ethics;
Identifying priorities for digital innovation; and
Promoting digital literacy among Members of Parliament, staff, and the wider community.

The Workgroup will consist of Members of Parliament and parliamentary staff. It may also include optional participation from groups of Members of Parliament, groups of parliamentary staff, representative groups from civil society, and technical experts, where relevant and required to support research and specific initiatives.
One of the first key priorities will be assisting in advancing the implementation of a Document Management System, which will serve as a critical foundation for improving digital workflows, efficiency, and access to information within Parliament.

PHILIPSBURG:--- In recognition of International Nurses Day and the conclusion of Nurses Week activities, Minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labor (VSA), Richinel Brug, took a moment to personally thank the nurses within the Ministry of VSA for their continued dedication and service to the people of Sint Maarten.
As part of the observance, Minister Brug presented the nurses with a small token of appreciation, a gesture of gratitude for the tireless work they continue to perform every day on the front lines of healthcare.
“Nurses play an essential role within our healthcare system and our society,” Minister Brug stated. “Their commitment, compassion, professionalism, and sacrifice often go beyond what many people see on a daily basis. This simple gesture is only a small way of saying thank you for the tremendous work they continue to do for our people.”

Minister Brug emphasized that healthcare workers, particularly nurses, remain one of the pillars of the country’s healthcare system and deserve continued recognition and support for the demanding responsibilities they carry.
“Whether in clinics, institutions, community care, inspections, elderly care, or public health services, our nurses continue to show up every single day to care for others. Their work does not go unnoticed, and they deserve to feel appreciated not only during Nurses Week, but throughout the entire year,” the Minister added.
The Minister concluded by extending his sincere appreciation to all nurses across Sint Maarten for their dedication, resilience, and continued service to the community.

PHILIPSBURG:---  The House of Parliament will sit in a Central Committee meeting on May 13, 2026.
The Central Committee meeting is scheduled for Wednesday at 11.45 hrs. in the Legislative Hall at Wilhelminastraat #1 in Philipsburg.

The agenda point is:
Approval of composition delegation and provisions for Members of Parliament to participate in a Caribbean Al Workshop, in the Valley, Anguilla, from June 21-24, 2026 (IS/1016/2025-2026 dated April 28, 2026). Members of the public are invited to the House of Parliament to attend parliamentary deliberations.
All persons visiting the House of Parliament must adhere to the House rules.
The House of Parliament is located across from the courthouse in Philipsburg. 
The parliamentary sessions will be carried live on Soualiga Headlines, via SXM GOV radio FM 107.9, via Pearl Radio FM 98.1, the audio via the internet www.sxmparliament.org, www.pearlfmradio.sx, and www.youtube.com/c/SintMaartenParliament 

POINTE BLANCHE:--- From 4–7 May 2026, a series of six storytelling sessions was held at Point Blanche Prison and the Miss Lalie Centre (MLC), creating space for individuals in custody and young adults in rehabilitation to reflect on their experiences, choices, and future pathways through storytelling and dialogue.
The initiative, organized by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) under the Ministry of Justice’s Detention Sector Reform Program (DSRP), used comics and storytelling rooted in the lived experiences of individuals who are or have been incarcerated. Through these sessions, participants engaged with stories that are often untold or underrepresented, exploring themes of incarceration, resilience, identity, accountability, and change.
Facilitated by the Brink Literacy Project, a US-based organization, the sessions centered on comics created by former Brink students. The deeply personal stories resonated strongly with participants, many of whom recognized echoes of their own experiences. This relatability sparked open and thoughtful dialogue around key turning points, influences, and decisions that had shaped their lives.
Since 2015, Brink Literacy Project has worked in prisons, schools, and community spaces across Colorado and the United States, using comics and storytelling to support literacy, reflection, and personal development among marginalized populations.
For many participants, the sessions offered something rare within correctional settings: an opportunity not only to be heard, but to listen inward. Through guided discussions and storytelling exercises, participants explored aspects of their own journeys while engaging in conversations about personal growth, purpose, and the possibility of change. Several described the experience as meaningful and impactful, noting that although the sessions felt short, they left a lasting impression. Many also expressed hope that the initiative could continue and expand in the future.
Honorable Minister of Justice Nathalie Tackling visited one of the sessions at the Miss Lalie Centre and reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to strengthening rehabilitation and reintegration efforts across the justice sector through more constructive and meaningful activities.
During the visit, the Minister interacted with facilitators, staff, and participants and emphasized the importance of creating spaces that encourage reflection, dialogue, and personal development within rehabilitation settings.
“Programs like these remind us that rehabilitation is not only about detention, but also about reflection, growth, accountability, and creating opportunities for change. Storytelling can be a powerful tool for connection and self-reflection, and I would like to see initiatives like this continue to develop within our justice system,” the Minister stated.
To explore future opportunities for the literacy project in Sint Maarten, a session was also held with J&IS probation officers to discuss how the methodology could potentially be integrated into work with inmates both during and after detention. The mission additionally strengthened connections with MECYS and the Sint Maarten Library, opening discussions on broader literacy and community engagement initiatives. As a follow-up, comic books used during the sessions will be donated to Point Blanche Prison, the Miss Lalie Centre, and the Sint Maarten Library.
Through the Detention Sector Reform Program, the Ministry of Justice, together with its implementing partner, UNODC, continues working to strengthen prison management, expand constructive activities within detention settings, and promote pathways that support rehabilitation and reintegration in line with the Nelson Mandela Rules and other international standards.