MOU for series of forums on
constitutional change signed
PHILIPSBURG--University of St. Martin (USM) and the Island Government signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Thursday as part of the public relations campaign on the trajectory for constitutional change on which St. Maarten has embarked.
Constitutional Affairs Commissioner Sarah Wescot-Williams launched the campaign some time ago under the name “En Route to Country St. Maarten.”
An important part of the campaign is the dissemination of information to the public of St. Maarten and one of the ways to do this will be by organising forums and lectures on the many themes that are important for this process.
It was agreed that USM would organise the forums to be held in light of constitutional change and the MOU regulating this was signed in Dr. A.C. Wathey Legislative Hall yesterday.
Wescot-Williams said on the occasion of the signing that the MOU established what government expected of USM and USM of Government on the project. The idea is that USM, in consultation with Bureau of Constitutional Affairs, will select the topics of the forums to be held.
Government will finance the project and USM will take care of the logistics pertaining to the organising of the forums. The budget for the three forums amounts to approximately NAf. 60,000, the Commissioner said.
The topic selected for the first forum is “The Constitution of Country St. Maarten.” This forum will be held some time in early June and will be broadcast live via radio and television.
The topics of the other two upcoming forums will be “The new Ministries of Country St. Maarten geared towards better service” and “What does the new country St. Maarten offer its citizens?”
USM president Josianne Fleming-Artsen said the signing marked another milestone for St. Maarten as a country and for USM. “It’s an example of the important role USM plays and will continue to play for St. Maarten.”
The aim of the forums is to provide more relevant information on issues relating to country St. Maarten, she said. “Another aim is to simulate more discussion among the public and get essential feedback.”
Fleming-Artsen urged the general public to participate and make the forums a success.
