October 10, 2011 will mark the first anniversary of the attainment of Sint Maarten’s new constitutional status within the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Every journey begins with a first step.
It is also the first anniversary of the present government, as well as the first anniversary of the Parliament of Sint Maarten.
To mark the occasion in a dignified and solemn manner, an ecumenical service will be held at the St. Martin of Tours Catholic Church on Front Street at 8:30 – 9:45 am on Monday, October 10.
A special plenary session of Parliament will be convened shortly after the ecumenical service at 10:00 – 11:00 am to which all members of the Council of Ministers will be invited.
The parliamentary session will be carried out under the auspices of parliament. The scheduled speakers are the Prime Minister, Minister of Culture and the Faction Leaders who will address the topic of "The Experience of the New Constitutional Status".
From 10:00 am refreshments at Celebration Palace will be served to civil servants as a recognition and appreciation for their patience and resolve in enduring and managing the unchartered course that was set for country Sint Maarten.
The civil servants will passively participate in the parliamentary session by use of viewing the session via internet on three screens at the Celebration Palace.
Busses will be parked at the Government Administration Building at 9.00am for transportation to Celebration Palace and will return to the Government Building at 1.00pm. Due to limited parking at the venue, civil servants are requested to utilize busses which have been provided by Government.
Various government departments that provide services to the public will continue to operate such as the Census Office, Receivers and Tax Department among others.
At 11:15 am the Prime Minister who is also charged with the Human Resource Department will welcome all civil servants to a special motivational session in which a civil servant as well as someone from the private sector will deliver the key note address. The motivational session will come to a close at 12:30 pm.