The Steering Committee (SC) of the National Development Plan on Wednesday attended an induction workshop at the University of St. Martin (USM).
During the workshop the SC members received an overview about the project organization; dialogue strategy leading to the development of the National Plan; the legal mandate of the committee; role of SC members; and the next steps.
The committee members St. Maarten Development Fund Foundation, Youth Parliament, Community Leader, National Institute of Arts, Nature Foundation, Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Soualiga Social Movement, the union umbrella organizations, St. Maarten Hospitality & Trade Association, SUNFED, and four ministries of government, Health, Education, Tourism & Economic Affairs, and Environment & Infrastructure.
The SC will exercise oversight of the national development of the country through the National Development Plan. Specific functions will be monitoring quality assurance of the process; monitor quality control of the product; act as a forum to address issues that may impede the development of the national plan; and design a national ordinance to replace the SC regulation.
A National Development Plan covers the period 2015-2040 and sets the direction for strategic long-term development as a country.
The process entails the input of the people which supports the kind of development St. Maarten needs and which the citizens want.
The national development process is seen as a new opportunity to reflect on the current situation and take decisions as to how best to collectively work together to achieve our common goals represented in the plan.
The country’s development priorities have been identified into four pillars: economy, environment, culture, and human development.
The National Development Plan is facilitated under the auspices of the project, “Building a Nation: Sint Maarten National Development Plan & Institutional Strengthening.”
The Ministry of General Affairs, Department of Interior and Kingdom Relations (BAK) are providing key support for the NDP process along with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP).
For further information please refer to: na*****************@si************.org, and/ or call 542-0897.