PHILIPSBURG:--- Minister Plenipotentiary Hon. Josianne Fleming-Artsen presented to the Chairman of the OcaN Glenn Helberg (59), a token of appreciation for his efforts and hard work over the years defending the interests of Antilleans and Arubans residing in the Netherlands.
Helberg has been at the helm of OcaN, (Overlegorgaan Caribische Nederlanders) since 2008 and plans to turn over the reins of the body to another person. The organization itself has been in existence for more than 30-years.
Helberg received a Royal decoration in January 2013, Ridder in de Order van Oranje Nassau. He has been involved in theatre, the 'Geniale Anarchie van Boelie van Leeuwen'.
Helberg as part of OcaN brought forward a number of issues such as 'absent fathers'; he also took the initiative to organize a national march and manifestation in the Netherlands which protested violence against homosexuals.
He was also initiator of the first Antillean boat to participate in the Gay Pride Parade in the Netherlands in order to give a face to sexual diversity in the Dutch Caribbean community in the Netherlands.
Glenn Helberg has been advisor since 2002 to the Foundation Social Care Antilleans Arubans; currently he is a member of the Council of Advice of the College of Human Rights; and a member of the Zevenmanschap of the College of B&W of the City of Amsterdam.
"On behalf of the people and Government of Sint Maarten, I thanked Glenn Helberg for all he has done for the Antillean and Aruban communities residing in the Netherlands, and for Sint Maarteners in particular. I concluded by wishing him much success in his future endeavours," Minister Plenipotentiary Hon. Josianne Fleming-Artsen said on Friday.
