The first information workshop to introduce the process for the development of Sint Maarten's National Development Plan was recently held at the University of St. Maarten. The National Development Plan, which is like a new Multi Annual Policy Plan will inform the long term vision and strategic direction for the sustainable development of the country. It will be a long term framework arrived at through a participatory process with the citizens and that recognizes the diversity of Sint Maarten's peoples. It is only by defining the long term priorities of the country that a common approach can be adopted to collectively work together between the government and the people, enhance Sint Maarten's glory or future development. It is through a plan that regional alliances can be established and international cooperation strengthened. But charting that course starts in dialogue with the people and the process to kick start the dialogues was introduced during the information workshop.
Present were approximately sixty participants from the NGOs, private sector and government departments. Though we have over 200 stakeholders on our database, a smaller group was chosen for this first session based on a detailed stakeholder analysis and that which will reflect on and give feedback on our ideas and organization structure. We are already planning a follow up session on April 9th that will have broader participation and we look forward to your participation. Mark your calendars and watch this space for details of the upcoming April session. The National Development Team based at the Department of the Interior and Kingdom Relations, Ministry of General Affairs values your active participation in this process and invites you to come prepared to share your insights. For people who attended this first session, kindly share the information with your colleagues, departments, umbrella organizations, community councils, and business networks.
This first workshop was aimed to raise awareness of the project, how it is intended to be executed, and the community's role in it through the Steering Committee and Working Groups to be established. The workshop was organized under the auspices of the project, Building a Nation: Sint Maarten National Development Plan and Institutional Strengthening. This is a partnership program between the government of Sint Maarten through the Department of the Interior and Kingdom Relations (BAK) and the United Nations Development Program. The National Development Team is made up of drs. Andrea Ortega, drs. Joeri Arion, drs. Okama Ekpe Brook, drs. Lucrecia Morales and Mr. Tom Woods and they can be reached by email at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Many presentations on the project outcomes, structure for implementation, methodology and the first activities with focus on the strength, weaknesses, opportunities and threat as well as the roles and responsibilities of the Working Groups were discussed. The importance of providing trainings and a plan for close coordination and collaboration across the ministries and the private organizations and NGOs was also discussed.
The Ministry of General Affairs, represented through the Department of the Interior and Kingdom Relations believe that active participation is necessary to achieve a common vision for sustainable development of St. Maarten. As a first start, we have created a questionnaire to gather your preliminary feedback. Kindly visit the link: /Government/specialCampaigns/National%20Development%20Plan/Documents/Sint%20Maarten%20SWOT%20%20Questionnaire%20and%20explanatory%20note.pdf and fill out the questionnaire. Upon completion, please send to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by March 29, 2013.
A summary of the questions and answers, the power-point presentations, and the preliminary list of stakeholders is available and can be accessed through this website: www.sintmaartengov.org. Go to Government > Special Campaigns > National Development Plan.
If you are a member of the NGO community, Please join us for the upcoming meeting with the St. Maarten NGO Platform organized by SUNFED.
Where: Belvedere Community Center
When: Wednesday March 20, 2013
Time 7:00-8:30PM
Our office is located at No. 31 Walter Nisbeth Road, Philipsburg, St. Maarten. Tel: 542-0897.
We look forward to hearing from you.
