SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY) - The Foundation Judicial Institutes St. Maarten (SJIS) and Foster Care Overseas Partners convened for a collaborative meeting aimed at empowering foster care communities and enhancing support for children and youth in foster care in need in different territories. Organized by SJIS, the meeting brought together foster care, family guardianship, and child protection representatives from St. Maarten, Saint Martin, Anguilla, St. Eustatius, and Bonaire.

The meeting, held under the theme "Empowering Foster Care Communities," focused on fostering collaboration, sharing best practices, and discussing effective strategies for foster care recruitment and retention. Participants engaged in fruitful discussions, sharing insights, challenges, and innovative approaches from their respective regions.

Reflecting on the activities of Foster Care Month, participants highlighted the impact of awareness campaigns, recruitment drives, and community engagement initiatives. Despite challenges, including financial constraints and varying stipends for foster parents, regions demonstrated commitment to supporting foster care initiatives across borders and advocating for the needs of children and youth.

During the meeting, participants explored a range of topics, including successful campaign strategies or initiatives implemented by organizations or countries to raise awareness about foster care and recruit foster parents, approaches to recruitment and retention of foster parents and mentors, and communication strategies proven most effective in engaging with potential foster parents, mentors, and stakeholders.

Key outcomes of the meeting included:

• Acknowledgment of the varied challenges and triumphs encountered across different regions during Foster Care campaigns.
• Deliberation on strategies for fostering recruitment, training, and support for foster parents, emphasizing the critical role of sustained funding and resources.
• Exploration of cooperative endeavors, such as annual gatherings, training exchanges, and joint advocacy ventures, aimed at fortifying foster care communities.
• Intentions for collaboration with the French Side of St. Martin regarding campaigning and foster parenting initiatives.

Moving forward, participants committed to continued collaboration and information-sharing to enhance foster care systems and provide optimal support for children and youth.

The SJIS would like to thank all participants for their valuable contributions and unwavering dedication to the welfare of children and youth in foster care on their respective islands.

SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY) - Honorable Prime Minister Dr. Luc Mercelina has embarked on a pioneering initiative to formalize Sint Maarten's formation process, marking a significant step towards enhancing transparency and accountability in governance.

In his inaugural address as Prime Minister of Sint Maarten, Dr. Mercelina underscored the need to address longstanding concerns surrounding the legality and transparency of the formation process. With a steadfast commitment to reform, Dr. Mercelina pledged to regulate the formation process through a national ordinance within his term.

To kickstart this transformative journey, Dr. Mercelina has submitted a comprehensive request to the Department of Legal Affairs. This pivotal step signals the beginning of a rigorous process aimed at formalizing the entire formation process, encompassing not only the screening process but the formation process in its entirety.

Acknowledging the importance of transparency, Dr. Mercelina expressed his willingness to share key concerns with the public. One such concern is the appointment and role of an informateur, which lacks clear regulation. Dr. Mercelina has tasked the Department of Legal Affairs with providing guidance on how to regulate the tasks and responsibilities of the informateur, ensuring transparency in the process.

Addressing another critical issue, Dr. Mercelina highlighted the prolonged duration of the screening process, which often results in a governance gap. He emphasized the need to mitigate this gap and streamline the formation process to minimize disruptions to governance.

Furthermore, Dr. Mercelina stressed the imperative of formalizing the screening process, which currently relies on unwritten constitutional norms. He has called upon the Department of Legal Affairs to advise on the best approach to regulate the screening process, whether through a separate national ordinance or incorporation into existing legislation.

Prime Minister Dr. Luc Mercelina reiterated his commitment to keeping the public informed throughout this transformative process. As Sint Maarten embarks on this journey towards reform, Dr. Mercelina pledged to provide regular updates on the progress of formalizing the formation process.

SINT MAARTEN (PHILIPSBURG) - Winning...It's easy! Every day is a new chance to win. Various lottery games, cash prices, numerous retailers located all over Curaçao and great winning probabilities.

Robbie’s Lottery main office can be found at the Cannegieter Street #70, Philipsburg, Sint Maarten, open from 8:00 AM to 9:00 PM Monday to Saturday and on Sunday 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM.  

For additional information and news, go to www.robbieslottery.com

Every day is a new chance to win!