Deputy Minister Plenipotentiary Arrindell’s Vision – “Streghtening Bridges, Connecting Hearts Between St. Maarten and the Netherlands”.

In the brief period that Deputy Minister Plenitpotentiary assumed office in the Hague, she established a solid and executable plan together with her professional team of Cabinet staff . Based on an inspiring vision to bring St. Maarten and the Netherlands closer, her exciting new plan is all about creating opportunities and providing solid support for our vibrant St. Maarten community in the Netherlands. 

At its core, the Cabinet's mission is multifaceted:

Representation and Advocacy: The Cabinet works tirelessly to represent the interests of St. Maarten and its residents in Europe. This involves collaborating with relevant entities to promote mutual understanding and cooperation. By ensuring St. Maarten's values and interests are clearly and effectively presented in the Kingdom Council of Ministers, the Cabinet aims to secure a prosperous and safe future for all.”

“ By expanding our team two-fold to ensure best service and provide timely information with on the one hand the  inclusion of  a staff member in charge among others with student Welfare,Culture & Sports. Supporting the Minister Plenipotentiary and the Director of the Cabinet of the Minister through the development, implemention and promotion of initiatives geared towards the well-being of our students, and promotion of cultural and sports- activities. 

On the other hand recuiting and appointment of  a Communication/ PR advior is well underway. The latter is a much needed addition to our Cabinet, especially in these times of  social media –news dessimination or mis-information. Being pro-active can make all the difference in how Sint Maarten is regarded in the eyes of the world”.

“We’re also creating a much needed database of St. Maarteners, including students in the Netherlands. This step is imperative in order to be connected and understand the needs of our student population staying in touch no matter where they are in the Netherlands. Such a concept will also assist in supporting the re-immigration process of Sint Maarteners who desire to return to work temporarily in much needed projects that are currently missing qualified employees or move back home permanently.”

Another very critical issue for families of students moving to the Netherlands, is to secure housing options by summer 2025 to make your transition smooth and stress-free. We simply cannot continue to spend our taxmonies back home on renting ( now 14 years and counting) and not use that money to purchase and own adequate and affordable housing for our students, and our Cabinet.” Our budgets must include space for this criitcally important objective. We can no longer afford to look the other way”

“Your voice is powerful, and we want it to be heard. That’s why we’re advocating to establish voting rights for our students and St. Maarteners in the Netherlands. Same as the option afforded to Dutch citizens who are eligible to vote in the Dutch Parliament Elections in Sint Maarten.

Last but not least, keeping our Sint Maarten based population and other key communities/entities  informed and connected through our quarterly newsletter will keep everyone updated with the latest news and achievements. A bimonthly Cabinetafter5 sessions will be implemented this fall– perfect for networking, meeting fellow St. Maarteners, and building a strong community spirit.

“As the representative for Sint Maarten in the Kingdom Council of Ministers, fostering key relationships with key stakeholders in the public and private sector is critical in order to be effective and relevant in supporting our causes. 

Finally; Investing in Our Future through actively seeking European funding to support key projects back home, driving growth, prosperity, and stability for St. Maarten. This means a brighter future for everyone.

Conclusion

Deputy Minister Plenipotentiary Gracita Arrindell’s vision is clear: to strengthen the bonds between St. Maarten and the Netherlands while promoting sustainable development and economic growth. Through dedicated efforts in representation, advocacy, and community engagement, the Cabinet of the Minister Plenipotentiary of St. Maarten is paving the way for a prosperous and connected future. By fostering mutual understanding and cooperation, Deputy Minister Arrindell and her team are working diligently to ensure that St. Maarten's interests are well-represented and that its people are well-supported, both at home and abroad.