SXMElections.com

BELAIR--The St. Maarten Seniors and Pensioners Association (SMSPA) held a well-attended seminar on the "Rights of the Seniors" on Thursday, where special attention was paid to their involvement in the National Development Plan (NDP), progress in the rights of seniors since a number of international acts and plans had been passed, progress towards the Millennium Development Goals and their feedback.

In her official opening address, caretaker Prime Minister Sarah Wescot-Williams started off with discussing overall rights as per the constitution adopted after 10-10-10. She said everyone has their own ideas, but that this needs to come together in a comprehensive plan, which is where the importance of the National Development Plan comes in. She encouraged the seniors to continue to apply pressure to the government, and to continue to make their voices heard.

Seminar Coordinator Drs. Raymond Jessurun said that the input of the seniors, which were taken after a series of speeches and informative sessions, will serve as input for the actions of the seniors and pensioners association SMSPA in the coming governing period, as well as in next year's Dutch Caribbean evaluation and the Latin American and Caribbean evaluation of the implementation of the San Jose Charter on the Rights of Older Persons.

Suggestions by the audience included the design and implementation of policies for the elderly, specifically on basic homecare, medical care and rehabilitation services; access to education including technology, access to jobs, affordable housing, raising of the pension to reflect country-specific situation, and greater corporate social responsibility amongst businesses such as utility company GEBE.

In her welcome speech, SMSPA President Patricia Flanders pointed out the lack of Senior Policy in St. Maarten, and called on Government to improve overall living conditions.

Keynote speaker and Project Manager for St. Maarten's National Development and Institutional Strengthening Tom Woods highlighted the need for a condusive environment and said that it was "critically important that the elderly become active participants" in the national development of any country. Also vitally important were appropriate governance mechanisms and a move away from personal politics.

Concerning Millennium Development goals, he said that St. Maarten, except for two key areas: the environment and poverty, poverty in particular not being visible, there are no specific goals for the elderly.

The audience was also addressed by officials from the St. Maarten Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Ministry of Health Care, Social Development and Labour.

Acts, plans and dates reflected on during the seminar included St. Maarten's 10-10-10, SMSPA seminars, the 2002 Madrid International Action Plan on Aging, the 2012 San Jose Charter on the Rights of Older Persons and the Millennium Development Goals set for 2015.

The day-long event was held at Belair Community Centre and was made possible by a number of corporate sponsors and the St. Maarten Chamber of Commerce and Industry. October, which included International Day of Older Persons, has seen a number of commemorations for the elderly.