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Top Research And Development In The Caribbean.

by Cdr. Bud Slabbaert

Which are the top ten leading territories for research and development in the Caribbean? No? Top five? How about three? Is it because the region doesnt need any research and development? That is strange. Because the most developed countries in the world also spend the most money on research and development. One would think that they are so freaking developed already that they really dont need more of it. Is it because they can spend more since they have more funding available for it? Or is it that they have more funding as they have invested more in research and development and are benefiting from it?

The development of an R&D Center (Research & Development) is a crucial element to contribute to the development and dissemination of new rigorous evidence and innovative products, methods or technologies that provide practical solutions to issues, confrontations and problems that must not be overlooked in the Caribbean Read more

Rollocks Jr, Donates School Supplies

Sucker Garden, Sint Maarten —Rollocks Jr. Candidate for the URSM Party has announced, that he is donating Back Packs and school supplies, and stands in solidarity with struggling single mothers and parents, who have difficulty in finding school fees and school supplies on a yearly basis.

Although parents generally purchase school supplies at the start of the school year, the need for some items, like backpacks, varies with use and daily wear and tear.

To this end, Rollocks Jr Read more

Island Council Adopts Social Minimum, Salary Minimum Motions

SABA Two motions were presented to the Island Council by Island Council Members Elsa Peterson and Vito Charles, both of the WIPM party, one motion addressing the continued urgency to establish the social minimum and a second motion on the minimum salaries of the Public Entity Saba with a cost-of-living adjustment.

Peterson and Charles submitted their motions during a meeting of the Island Council to handle the 2022 Year Report and the first 2023 budget amendment. Petersons motion instructed the Executive Council to take a number of actions Read more

SABA:--- Two motions were presented to the Island Council by Island Council Members Elsa Peterson and Vito Charles, both of the WIPM party, one motion addressing the continued urgency to establish the social minimum and a second motion on the minimum salaries of the Public Entity Saba with a cost-of-living adjustment.

Peterson and Charles submitted their motions during a meeting of the Island Council to handle the 2022 Year Report and the first 2023 budget amendment. Petersons motion instructed the Executive Council to take a number of actions Read more

Windwardside, Saba:---  The Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) recently organized an Education Standards and Strategy Workshop, bringing together esteemed park and conservation authorities from the Dutch Caribbean region. The workshop focused on developing educational standards, devising effective educational strategies for park organizations, Aruba National Park Foundation, Saba Conservation Foundation, Nature Foundation St Read more

PHILIPSBURG:---  The Ministry of Justice in Philipsburg has successfully concluded the final consultations for the legislative package required for the enactment of the Justice Function Book. Minister of Justice, Ms. Anna E. Richardson, held meetings with various unions representing Justice workers, including NAPB-ABVO-WICSU/PSU and the Committee of Civil Servants Union (CCSU), as well as management and employees of the Ministry of Justice.
During these consultations, the NABP-ABVO-WICSU/PSU collaborated closely with Minister Richardson and her team to conduct the final review of the Legal Position Police regulation Read more

To Parents Of Students That Will Immigrate To Further Studies

On Sunday, July 9 th , 2023 during my livestream Sunday Chat I interviewed a young
man named Elisha Jones, who is currently a student in The Netherlands. He gave us
an idea of real life in The Netherlands, and shared his experiences from when he left
St. Maarten to when he arrived in The Netherlands.

From registration at the Gemeente to finding an apartment, he elaborated on the
expectations and the actual realities; the hard facts and how at times ones faith is
tested.

I have been preaching to all parents to put your faith in God, and keep praying for
your children Read more

PHILIPSBURG:---  On June 30th, The Minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labor Omar Ottley in collaboration with GEBE N.V. and Seven Seas Water Group ("SSWG"), a multinational provider of Water-as-a-Service ("WaaS") solutions signed a 2-year extension of the current water supply agreement. This agreement entailed renegotiating key terms and conditions which will yield a savings of approximately $400,000.00 on water production annually for GEBE N.V Read more

PHILIPSBURG:---  The Ministry of Justice is delighted to announce the commencement of Justice Week 2023, a week-long celebration dedicated to honoring the tireless efforts of justice workers and promoting safety and security within the community. From July 10th to July 17th, a series of activities and events will be held, culminating in Justice Day on the 17th.
The Honorable Minister of Justice, Anna E. Richardson, inaugurated Justice Week with a remarkable Justice Prayer Link, which brought together administrative and frontline justice workers Read more

PHILIPSBURG:--- I have taken note of the public statements made by Prime Minister Rutte, including his regret that they remained at an impasse within the coalition of four parties. The political decision to tender the resignation of the entire cabinet now means new elections will be called, allowing the people of the Netherlands to resolve the issue.
While instability in coalition governments is nothing new in the Dutch Kingdom, we trust that this latest disagreement, at a political level based on immigration policies in the Netherlands, will not negatively impact the improving relations within the Kingdom, including our ongoing discussions on the loans, availability of funding for sustainable development projects, climate change & actions following the apology for the Dutch governments role in slavery past on its former colonies Read more

~Calls issued to rename Waterfront in the name of longest serving Mayor of Saint Martin. ~

MARIGOT: ---Persons from all walks of life throughout the community of Saint Martin and dignitaries from Sint Martin, Anguilla, St. Barths, and Guadeloupe gathered at the waterfront in Marigot on Friday to pay their last respects to Mayor Albert Fleming who passed away on June 28th, 2023, at the Louis Constant Fleming Hospital.
The late Mayor Fleming was described as a patriot, a man for his people, simple and humble, and a man who cared for his family and that of his community Read more

Chamber Of Commerce ViewS To The Introduction Of The Caribbean Guilder

(NEED AND/OR ECONOMIC IMPACT ANTICIPATED)
Philipsburg – The St. Maarten Chamber of Commerce and Industry (COCI) has taken note of the intention of the Central Bank of Curacao and Sint Maarten (CBCS), on the introduction of the Caribbean Guilder. The decision to introduce a Caribbean guilder in replacement of the Antillean Guilder is said to be based on the notion that this new guilder can help foster economic stability and prosperity within the monetary union Read more

PHILIPSBURG:---  TelEm Group is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Randell Hato as its new Chief Financial Officer (CFO).
With a wealth of experience in the telecommunications sector and a strong private and public sector background, Mr. Hato brings profound knowledge and a strategic mindset to his new role. He is determined to ensure a secure future for TelEm Group and the telecommunications industry of St. Maarten itself.
Having served in strategic positions within the telecommunications sector, both regionally and internationally, Mr Read more

SABA:--- Saba, Bonaire and the Netherlands on Wednesday, July 5, signed the Education Agenda which aims to further improve the quality of education on the two islands.
Dutch Minister of Education, Culture, and Science Robbert Dijkgraaf, Saba Commissioner of Education Eviton Heyliger, and Bonaire Commissioner of Education Jolinda Craane signed the Education Agenda on behalf of their government. For Saba, the education agenda was also signed by the Executive Director of the school board of the Sacred Heart School and Saba Comprehensive School Anton Hermans, and Expertise Center EC2 Saba Director Annelies Buurmeijer Read more

PHILIPSBURG: --- Prime Minister Silveria Jacobs said on Wednesday at the Council of Ministers press briefing that she took note of the apology from King Willem Alexander regarding the slave trade.
Jacobs said that she took note of the Kings apology but she did not hear anything about reparations. She said it was interesting to hear that many Dutch people were not aware of how they received the golden era that was taught in schools.
She said that those persons that demanded that the King apologized for his familys involvement and the benefits they gained through the slave trade, those persons got their apology.
Jacobs explained that the commitment from the King to ensure that all persons understand the true effects of the slave trade is important in order for the people of St Read more

Sacred Heart School students and invited guests at Sabas Emancipation Day event.

SABA--Saba marked the start of the Commemoration Year of the Slavery Past on Saturday, July 1, with a well-attended Emancipation Day event with a number of speakers and a range of performances.

The events theme, Liberation through healing, was most fitting, said Commissioner of Culture Eviton Heyliger. Although healing hundreds of years of trauma will not happen overnight, we need to start the dialogue Read more

From left: President of Parliament Sidharth Bijlani, Janique Baly, Governor of St. Maarten Ajamu Baly, ECYS Minister Rodolphe Samuel, President of French Saint Martin Louis Mussington, Prime Minister Silveria Jacobs and Dutch State Secretary of Kingdom Relations and Digitalisation Alexandra van Huffelen.

PHILIPSBURG--Born Free was the theme of this years Emancipation Day event, the 160th anniversary of the Proclamation of the Abolishment of Slavery in 1863, across the Dutch Caribbean islands on Saturday, July 1.

The event commenced with an ecumenical service at Saints Simon and Jude Anglican Church, Back Street, in the morning, followed by a Freedom March on Boardwalk Boulevard to the Sports Park.

The beautiful ceremony was filled with performances and renditions of song, poetry and dance by local musicians, poets, dancers, singers and storytellers.

Performance by National Institute of Arts (NIA) dancers during the ceremony.

Symbol of freedom

In his speech, Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport (ECYS) Rodolphe Samuel noted the day as a symbolic celebration of freedom Read more

SABA:--- Saba marked the start of the Commemoration Year of the Slavery Past on Saturday, July 1, with a well-attended Emancipation Day event with a number of speakers and a number of powerful performances.

The events theme, liberation through healing, was most fitting, said Commissioner of Culture Eviton Heyliger. Although healing hundreds of years of trauma will not happen overnight, we need to start the dialogue. By engaging in healing practices, as a community we can reclaim our agency, reconnect with our inner strength, and restore our sense of wholeness, he said in his speech.

Collectively, we can contribute to social transformation and liberation by dismantling oppressive systems, challenging inequities, and promoting justice Read more

ORANJESTAD, ARUBA:---  Fundacion Parke Nacional Aruba (FPNA) today announced it has appointed Tyson Lopez as the organizations new Chief Executive Officer (CEO), as part of the Executive Board will spearhead the implementation of FPNAs Multi-Annual Corporate Strategy 2023 2032 (MACS) to transform the organization from a traditional park management organization to a high-performing, modern conservation management organization.
Fundacion Parke Nacional Aruba is an independent conservation management organization, encharged with the conservation of nature, and the management of protected areas in Aruba which as of today encompass just over 24% of Arubas natural terrain and 0.02% of Arubas territorial waters Read more

PHILIPSBURG:--- History was made on Saturday, June 24, 2023, as Cloyd Ohndhae Marlin officially launched his political career, building upon the steadfast foundation of his father and numerous supporters. During this ceremony, the Hon. M.P. William Marlin passed on the baton of political leadership, as well as, his "black book" of political knowledge to his son, affectionately known as Ohndhae Read more

PHILIPSBURG:---  The Minister of Public Health, Social Development, and Labor Omar Ottley, on behalf of the government of Sint Maarten, recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) agreement with the Minister of Health, Welfare and Sport of the Netherlands, Ernst Kuipers in order to structure the collaboration on how the quality and competency of medical professionals and medical specialists with a foreign diploma, who intend to establish themselves and practice their profession on Sint Maarten shall be assessed.

The MOU went into effect on June 30th for a period of five years and will jointly be evaluated after two (2) years, in order to decide on the continuation of the collaboration Read more

Young Talents Caribbean Region 2023 LOral-Unesco For Women In Science.

~ Breaking barriers for women in Caribbean Science, Technology, and Innovations.~

Kingston, Jamaica:--- The world needs science and science needs women. The Young Talents Caribbean Region L'Oral-UNESCO For Women in Science programme is a joint programme between LOral Caribe, the UNESCO Office for the Caribbean, and the Caribbean Academy of Sciences all seeking to connect the dots between Caribbean development challenges, scientific research, and women empowerment.

SUPPORTING CARIBBEAN WOMEN IN SCIENCE

The Caribbeans development is intrinsically linked to science, technology, and innovation, and it is vital that women play a significant role in this arena Read more

Ncf Holds Ceremony For Second Chance Graduates

Keynote speaker Gracita R. Arrindell with the graduates

ST. EUSTATIUS--New Challenges Foundation (NCF) held a graduation ceremony for the second chance education graduates under the theme Being challenged in life is inevitable, being defeated is optional.

The ceremony was held at Mike van Putten Youth Centre/Lions Den on Thursday, June 22. The 10 graduates were Marley Brown, Erika Simmons, Jamile Redan, Tallijah Pers, Ashanti Carti, Shadiro Simmons, Anajah Smith, DShandra Turner, Isiah Courtar and Marques Schrewhardt.

The ceremony featured speeches by board members and invited guests, Commissioner of Education Reuben Merkman, NCF president Charles Lindo and director Francine Foe, who all congratulated the graduates on this hard-fought achievement and offered words of wisdom and encouragement.

President of the Parliament of St Read more

Global Risks To Outlook Remain.

~Economic recovery gathers pace across monetary union~

WILLEMSTAD/PHILIPSBURG:--- The economic recovery gathered pace across the monetary union in 2022 with real GDP expanding by 7.9% in Curaao and 9.8% in Sint Maarten, stated the President of the Centrale Bank van Curaao en Sint Maarten (CBCS), Richard Doornbosch, in CBCSs Economic Bulletin June 2023. In both countries, growth was driven primarily by an increase in net foreign demand, along with a positive contribution from domestic demand Read more