The "Governing of Country Sint Maarten and the Resulting Changes," will be the topic of discussion at the forum jointly organized by the Bureau for Constitutional Affairs and the University of St. Martin (USM), slated for Thursday at USM.
This event, the second of the forum series, will be held from 7:30pm – 9:30pm.
The keynote speakers for this event are Commissioner of Constitutional Affairs and Leader of Government Sarah Wescot-Williams, Mr. Luud Hakkens, Project Leader OBF, and Mr. Xavier Blackman, of KPMG. Moderator will be Project Director for Constitutional Change Mr. Dennis Richardson The event will be broadcast live on radio and videotaped for broadcast later on television.
According to Commissioner of Constitutional Affairs Sarah Wescot-Williams, key differences between the present governing system and the new governing structure will be addressed, while the set-up of the Council of Ministers and Parliament will also be explained.
The new Parliamentary system will be comprised of a Governor-General, 15 members of parliament and seven ministers, whereby membership in the Council of Ministers is not possible while holding a seat in the Parliament at the same time. According to this structure, each minister will be responsible for their ministry which will be comprised of, among others, several policy departments, executive entities, advisory boards, independent functioning organizations, and new as well as amended structures to accommodate the transfer of Federal Government services into the new Ministries.
In addition, the forum will also address the progress on the dismantling of the Federal Government services. The aim is for civil servants of the island government as well as Federal Government employees to be transferred into the new ministries in a seamless manner. A Social Charter will guide this transfer.
An overview of Country Sint Maarten Ministries: the new departments and the changes to the present structures to introduce new services will also be given. The forum on "Governing of Country Sint Maarten and the Resulting Changes" is important for both civil servants and the public at large since they will all be affected by the impending changes in our country status.
The keynote speakers Blackman and Hakkens are also knowledgeable in their respective areas. Hakkens is the current Section Head for Personnel and Organizational Policies for the Island Government of St. Maarten. He has also served in the capacity of Head of Personnel for government from 2000 to 2004.
Blackman, who is a former State Secretary of Finance and who serves as an independent, expert member of the Social and Economic Council of the Netherlands Antilles, has written several articles and made presentations regarding constitutional affairs, finances and economic and management strategies. He is also currently Associate Director of Advisory at KPMG in the Dutch Caribbean, stationed in St. Maarten.
Commissioner Wescot-Williams noted that input from all is invaluable and she looks forward to welcoming you at the forum. This event is scheduled to begin at 7:30pm in room 202 at USM.