Arrindell to make proposal for St. Maarten Youth Parliament rep to attend
President of Parliament Hon. Gracita Arrindell earlier this week attended the Executive Committee meeting of the Latin American Parliament (Parlatino) in Panama where much of the focus of discussion was on celebrating the 50th anniversary of Parlatino in 2014.
The proposal from a young Senator from Mexico was approved to include the Youth Parliaments from the various member states of Parlatino.
President of Parliament Hon. Gracita Arrindell said on Wednesday that she will be submitting a proposal to the Parliament of Sint Maarten with respect to St. Maarten’s Youth Parliament sending a representative to attend the 50th anniversary celebrations in 2014.
A new board was also elected during three-days of Parlatino meetings. The President of the National Assembly of Ecuador Gabriela Rivadeneria Burbano was appointed as alternate President and from the National Assembly of Cuba, Rolando Gonzalo Patricio, was appointed as alternate Secretary General. The appointment is for the remaining term of the board in accordance with Article 25 of the governing statutes.
The executive board approved the agenda and report of all activities and objectives that were realized by the daily board.
The agenda for the XXIX General Assembly meeting in October was also approved.
Member countries were asked to prepare a paper regarding agenda topic number 1 for the General Assembly under the heading: "Economic Reform in Light of the Global Economic Crisis."
"Relevant initiatives important to the improvement of the quality of life of the citizens of the member states which have been approved at Parlatino committee meetings, must be translated back to the local legislative agenda, and results thereof reported back to the Parlatino board.
"Also, important legislation approved by the Parliament of Sint Maarten and relevant to the goals of Parlatino must also be reported to the aforementioned," President Hon Gracita Arrindell disclosed on Wednesday.
Another major focus of the meeting was the official opening of the Permanent Headquarters of Parlatino in Panama City in October.
Major financial contributions came in from the Governments of Panama and China in order to have the parliamentary headquarters completed in time for the opening.
Member parliaments have been requested to have the opening of the Parlatino headquarters carried live on their own home television network. President Arrindell said she will be looking into this upon her return to the country.
The President of the Curacao Parliament also attended the executive board meeting and there were also representatives from Aruba attending the committee meetings.
PHOTO CUTLINE: President of Parliament Hon. Gracita Arrindell (5th from left in front row) along with all attendees of the Parlatino meeting that took place in Panama earlier this week. Parlatino Photo