News item | 12-12-2024 | 17:11
State Secretary Zsolt Szabó of Kingdom Relations and Digitalization signed memoranda of understanding on Tuesday for the support and professionalization program for promoting good governance on Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba. He did this together with the governors of Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba, and the professional associations of mayors, aldermen, municipal councilors, municipal secretaries and clerks.
The support program makes the professionalization offer of the professional associations available for Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba. This includes workshops, courses, training for Island Council members, deputies, lieutenant governors, clerks and employees of the clerk’s office. The Caribbean context and the needs of the islands are taken into account.
A memorandum has been drawn up for each of the 3 islands and was signed on Tuesday by State Secretary and Governors John Soliano of Bonaire, Alida Francis of Sint Eustatius and Jonathan Johnson of Saba.
On behalf of the professional associations, Jeroen van Gool of the Aldermen’s Association, Abdullah Uysal of the Association for Councilors, Esther Sommer of the Association of Municipal Secretaries, Arnout van Kooij of the Association of Registrars and Hilde Westera of the Dutch Society of Mayors signed the agreement.
Priorities
“I am very happy that the professional associations and the islands have decided to join forces to make this happen,” said State Secretary Szabó. The support program fits well with one of the State Secretary’s priorities, namely promoting good governance.
“To promote good governance, it is important to invest in the professionalization of the position and effectiveness of political authorities, island secretaries and island clerks,” said Szabó. The State Secretary’s other two priorities are solid government finances and increasing the self-reliance of the islands.
Further reinforcement
“Capacity building is very important for a small island like Saba and we can benefit from the support offered. At the same time, the professional associations can also learn from Saba,” said Governor Johnson. “The development of the islands is a process that we must complete together. This program is an important instrument to help each other,” said Governor Soliano.
“In the interest of the further development of the islands, we are working together to further strengthen local government,” said Governor Francis.
“For us, this means that the efforts and support of recent years will be continued, allowing us to support Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba on a multi-year basis,” said Van Gool of the Aldermen’s Association.
Power of democracy
“A strong council matters. With this program we invest in the strength of local democracy,” said Uysal of the councilors’ association. “This is the next step in our contacts and further professionalization of the governors,” said Westera of the mayors’ association. “It is great to continue working together on a stronger government,” said Sommers of the municipal secretaries’ association. “We learn from each other. We would like to contribute to this program,” said Van Kooij of the clerks’ association.
The Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations (BZK) makes the program possible by providing subsidies to the professional associations. Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba and the professional associations have been intensively involved in the development of the program.