Willemstad:---  At the regional conference Fortaleciendo el Diálogo Social en América Latina, held on December 4 and 5 in Panama City, Panama, Raul Henriquez, Director and Secretary General of the Social Economic Council (SER) of Curaçao, called for the institutionalization of social dialogue as a critical tool for resolving conflicts and reducing inequality.
The event, organized by the Escuela Interamericana de Diálogo Social, Tripartismo y Resolución de Conflictos (EI-DiSTReC) and supported by the regional office of the International Labour Organization (ILO) for Latin America, convened policymakers, employers, workers, and civil society leaders from across the region. Henriquez, an invited speaker, underscored the urgency of sustained collaboration among governments, employers, workers, academia, and the broader civil society. This united approach, he argued, is essential to addressing pressing issues such as social inequality, labor disputes, digital transformation, and the climate crisis.
The conference served as a platform for stakeholders to exchange experiences and propose actionable solutions. Central themes included the institutionalization of social dialogue, innovative conflict-resolution strategies, and tripartite approaches to workplace challenges. Henriquez highlighted the critical role of international organizations, such as the ILO, in providing technical assistance to help nations in the region implement these strategies effectively.
With a focus on fostering dialogue and collaboration, the conference reaffirmed the need for stronger partnerships across Latin America to tackle the social and economic challenges of the 21st century.

~Join us at the Sint Maarten Library for an Enriching Book signing event!~

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Sint Maarten Library is delighted to host a special event featuring renowned local author Robert Romney. This occasion celebrates the release of his latest novel, Big Rock II: Lie Down in Darkness (2023), which completes his acclaimed trilogy. His notable works include the series that begins with St. Martin Talk (2011), continues with From St. Martin Talk to Standard English (2015), and Big Rock I : King of the Rock (2019), offering a rich and immersive journey through the cultural evolution of Sint Maarten.
Set against the backdrop of the island’s history from the 1960s to the present, Romney's works evoke a powerful sense of nostalgia and community, capturing a way of life that is both unique and increasingly endangered. His stories intertwine themes of patriotism, cultural preservation, and love, presenting an unforgettable exploration of Sint Maarten’s legacy. This event promises to be a captivating celebration of literature and local heritage."
The event will take place on Friday, December 13, 2024, from 3:30 PM to 4.45 PM at the Sint Maarten Library.
Big Rock Part Two: Lie Down in Darkness: The novel reflects on the idyllic innocence of Saint-Martin's past while contrasting it with the challenges of modernity. Drawing inspiration from literary greats like James Joyce and Marcel Proust, Romney captures the island's unique atmosphere and community, free of violence and rich in cultural heritage.
The story highlights the resilience and "fighting spirit" of Saint-Martin’s ancestors, who contributed to global industries, from the Panama Canal to the sugar cane fields of Santo Domingo. Through its spiritual undertones, the novel advocates for an island that embraces newcomers while preserving its identity and traditions
Robert Romney: Born on Dutch Sint Maarten, former Representative of the Rector of Saint Martin and Saint Barthélemy (2007–2010). Romney pursued an extensive academic career, earning degrees in English literature and becoming an Associate Professor and Inspector of Honorary Academy. He is also a Knight of the National Order of Merit and an Officer of the Academic Palms.
Do not miss this unique opportunity to engage with Robert Romney as he shares the inspiration behind his novel, Sint Maarten's Past and Present, and his passion for preserving Sint Maarten's heritage and legacy. Copies of Big Rock Part Two: Lie Down in Darkness will be available for purchase, and the event will include a Q&A session with the author.
Join us for an inspiring literary event that celebrates the transformative power of storytelling and honors our shared history and enduring legacy.
For more information about the event, please contact the Sint Maarten Library at 1721-542-2970.

PHILIPSBURG:--- On Thursday, December 5, the Speech 116 Public Speaking and Group Dynamics students at USM took their final exam in front of an audience. The exam was titled "The Role USM Can Play in Breaking the Cycle of Vulnerability for Vulnerable Groups on St. Martin."
Dr. Yadira Boston, the instructor for the Speech 116 course, stated, “Since I began teaching this course a year ago, my students have conducted rigorous research on vulnerable groups in St. Martin. Their topics include, but are not limited to, issues such as statelessness, poverty, abuse, inclusive education, cyber predators, and illiteracy."
The course combines both theoretical and practical components. In the theoretical part, students learn skills and techniques related to public speaking and group dynamics. In the practical part, they apply those skills. Dr. Boston explained that she added the research component to the course and emphasized that university students advocating for their respective groups should provide evidence to support their claims. Students were required to use triangulation, meaning they had to gather information from multiple sources to enhance the validity and credibility of their work.
Throughout the Fall 2024 semester, students presented the following data-driven speeches:
1. **Informative Speech:** Informed the community about their chosen vulnerable group.
2. **Persuasive Speech:** Persuaded community members on how they can help eradicate or mitigate the challenges these vulnerable groups face.
3. **Group Speech:** Collaborated in groups to find data-driven solutions to address the challenges faced by vulnerable groups.
4. **Final Persuasive Speech:** Highlighted USM's role in breaking the cycle of vulnerability for these groups.
Dr. Boston stated that the students have met the standards after a semester of intense research.
Students received congratulations from several notable figures, including Ms. Melissa Gumbs, Minister of Education, Culture, Youth, and Sports; Dr. Gale Rigobort, Dean of USM; Mrs. Juliana Hodge-Shipley, Head of the USM Humanities Department; Dr. Delroy Pierre, a researcher and advocate for equitable education; Ms. Shareen Lake, a Special Education Specialist; Mr. Addisson Boston, a workforce trainer for vulnerable groups; Carol Josephine, USM Counselor; Mr. Rikson Martina, Manager of the Miss Lalie Center; and Mrs. Henrietta Doran-York, Director of Point Blanche Prison and House of Detention as well as the Miss Lalie Center.

The Hague, Netherlands:--- Member of Parliament Omar E.C. Ottley delivered a compelling and passionate address at the Inter-Expo Congress in the Netherlands, highlighting the urgent need for equitable treatment and cooperation between the Netherlands and the Dutch Caribbean territories, particularly St. Maarten. While the representatives from The Netherlands echoed the sentiment that “St. Maarten’s problems are man-made, so man can solve them,” he reminded them many of St. Maarten’s challenges are natural disasters combined with the recent Global Pandemic that crippled the world’s economy. MP Ottley called for actionable change to address the systemic challenges that hinder the progress and Prosperity of his people.
Acknowledging that St. Maarten is no stranger to adversity, MP Ottley reminded attendees that the island is often beset by natural disasters, the most devastating being Hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017. These events derailed St. Maarten’s progress towards financial stability, including achieving three consecutive balanced budgets—a requirement to free the island from the Committee for Financial Supervision (CFT) oversight. While the island successfully balanced its budget twice in the past, the aftermath of the hurricanes shattered its financial plans, underscoring the pressing need for greater support and understanding from the Kingdom.
“We need to see an equal partnership,” MP Ottley asserted. He criticized the imbalance in the Kingdom’s approach to aiding, noting the disparity in treatment between St. Maarten and other non-Kingdom nations. Referencing the report of some US$700 million given to Dominica in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria in 2017 as a grant, MP Ottley questioned why St. Maarten—an integral part of the Kingdom—is consistently subjected to stringent conditions for assistance.
According to MP Ottley, evidence of this inequity was most recently highlighted in the 2024 Budget Amendment, where St. Maarten was compelled to contribute some Naf—70 million to the bailout of ENNIA Insurance. Failure to comply would have increased interest rates on COVID-19 loans, resulting in millions more in debt to The Netherlands as repayment for the loans taken for the island to survive during the Global Pandemic. This increased interest rate would have further burdened the island’s recovery efforts. MP Ottley characterized these conditions as unjust and counterproductive to fostering true partnership and growth within the Kingdom. Reaffirming a unanimous decision passed in the Parliament of St. Maarten, MP Ottley called for debt cancellation to help the island rebuild and thrive. “If you want to see us move forward, give us the same gratitude that you give to people, not within the Kingdom,” he stated. He urged the Netherlands to recognize the aspirations of St. Maarten’s current generation of leaders, who are committed to moving beyond the perceived corruption of the past and towards a brighter, more transparent future. A significant portion of MP Ottley’s address also focused on the alarming statistic that nearly 22% of St. Maarten’s residents cannot obtain a bank account. He called for increased involvement from the Central Bank of Curaçao and St. Maarten to address what he described as abuse by commercial banks. “Access to a bank account is not a privilege; it is a fundamental right,” MP Ottley emphasized. He appealed for reforms to ensure all citizens can access basic banking services, a critical step toward financial inclusion and empowerment. MP Ottley concluded his address with a plea for improved cooperation between the Netherlands and its Caribbean territories. “If we are to achieve true prosperity, the Kingdom must move beyond rhetoric and embrace equal partnership,” he said. He stressed that the people of St. Maarten deserve respect, understanding, and the tools to rebuild and flourish.
Through his impassioned speech, MP Ottley underscored the resilience of St. Maarten and its people while clarifying that the road to recovery and success must be paved with fairness, equity, and collaboration.