SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY) - The PHOENIX Foundation, in collaboration with the Department of Youth, successfully hosted their first of many conferences, titled "Youth Conference Parent's Edition," on March 16th, 2024, at the Cultural Center in Philipsburg.  

The conference, which commenced at 7 p.m., aimed to engage parents in discussions about pertinent issues facing today's youth. The conference, hosted by Stacy Violenus assisted by Ms. Faye Arnell of the Department of Youth, kicked off with the Methodist Agogic Center primary school serving as the pioneering project.  

A diverse array of esteemed organizations from various sectors took center stage with insightful presentations. Notable speakers included Dr. Neidi de Carvalho and Mr. Lenworth Wilson representing UNICEF, along with Mrs. Kharisha Foeken Seymour and Ms. Samantha Williams from the Court of Guardianship.  

Mr. Richard White, representing the Methodist Agogic Center School-JAG campus, also contributed his expertise. A highlight of the event was the presence of a special guest speaker, Mr. Elroy Hughes, who shared compelling insights into the crucial role of paternal involvement in youth development.  

One of the highlights of the conference was the address by Dr. Tasheena Thomas-Maccow, Director of Turning Point and Owner of Tee-Zan, who spoke passionately about substance use, nutrition, and holistic health and wellness within our youth and community.  

This conference, being part of the Department of Youth’s annual Rights of the Child Awareness Campaign, served as a platform for parents to gain valuable insights and resources to support the well-being and development of our youth.  

The "Youth Conference Parent's Edition" marks the beginning of a series of collaborative initiatives between the PHOENIX Foundation and the Department of Youth aimed at empowering parents and strengthening the community's support network for the youth.  

The organizers extend heartfelt gratitude to all participants and guests for their invaluable contributions and support in making this conference a success.  

A special thank you is extended to the Department of Youth, UNICEF, Court of Guardianship, Mr. Elroy Hughes, Mr. Richard White, and Dr. Tasheena Thomas-Maccow for their presence and participation.  

Their dedication to empowering St. Martin's youth is deeply appreciated and plays a vital role in shaping a brighter future for our community.  

About PHONENIX Foundation:  

PHOENIX aims to raise awareness among St. Martin's youth, intending to encompass the entire island and serve both French and Dutch communities. The key objectives include fostering inquisitiveness among youth through interactive workshops, critical thinking exercises, and mentorship programs.  

For more information about future events and initiatives from PHOENIX Foundation, please visit https://qrcodes.pro/KHczjc or call/WhatsApp +1-721-520-0773/0690-229620 

SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY) - The St. Maarten Hospitality & Trade Association (SHTA) will actively support the effort of Environmental Protection in the Caribbean (EPIC) to revive the Green Key and Blue Flag eco-label programs. This was jointly announced by the two NGOs, calling on hotels, marinas and tourism-focused companies to take part in the two sustainability programs. 

The SHTA’s support will include ongoing member communications on how to obtain the two eco-label certifications and a program platform at the St. Martin / St. Maarten Annual Regional Tradeshow (SMART). The tradeshow platform serves to inform all hotels and tourism players present to the environmental, marketing, and financial benefits of sustainable operations. The platform at SMART is made possible by the St. Maarten Tourist Bureau (STB), another major supporter during the initial launch of the Green Key and Blue Flag eco-labels.

EPIC Program Manager Delroy de Lain stated, "We are grateful for the support of both the public and private tourism entities. It shows dedication to sustainable tourism development from precisely where it is necessary. We look forward to cooperating once again with the SHTA and STB, and their partners, to ensure a successful implementation of the program”.

Green Key and Blue Flag are both world renowned eco-label programs run internationally by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE), located in Copenhagen, Denmark. 

The Green Key certificate is the leading standard for excellence in the field of environmental responsibility and sustainable operation within the tourism industry. This prestigious certificate represents a commitment by businesses that their premises adhere to the strict criteria set by the FEE. A Green Key assures guests that, by choosing to stay with a Green Key establishment, they are helping make a difference for the environment. The high environmental standards expected of these establishments are maintained through rigorous documentation and frequent audits. Green Key is designed for hotels, hostels, small accommodations, campsites, holiday parks, conference centers, restaurants and attractions.

The iconic Blue Flag is one of the world’s most recognized voluntary awards for beaches, marinas, and sustainable tourism boats. In order to qualify for the Blue Flag, a series of stringent environmental, educational, safety, and accessibility criteria must be met and maintained. Central to the ideals of the Blue Flag program is the aim of connecting the public with their surroundings and encouraging them to learn more about their environment. As such, environmental education activities must be offered and promoted in addition to a permanent display of information relevant to the site in terms of biodiversity, ecosystems and environmental phenomena. There are currently 5,038 Blue Flag sites certified in 51 countries.

As of 2003, EPIC and SHTA have cooperated on various efforts to make tourism more sustainable, amongst which the promotion and implementation of the two esteemed eco-labels. As the bar to get the labels granted is high, only five sites succeeded in obtaining the label prior to its hiatus. Divi Little Bay was the first to obtain the Blue Flag status for its beach, and Oyster Bay Beach Resort followed thereafter, while Yacht Club Isle de Sol was the first marina to get certified locally. Princess Heights succeeded in being the first to obtain the Green Key award, and Holland House obtained it for the first time in 2017. Both EPIC and the SHTA are excited to revive this partnership and together create a more sustainable future for tourism on the island.

EPIC Sint Maarten is an independent non-profit active since 2001 with the mission of protecting the environment through research, restoration, education, and advocacy.

SHTA is the largest private business representative on the island. It considers a healthy and beautiful island as one of the three pillars of its main objective of increasing quality of life for all St. Maarten residents (shta.com/vision-2025).

For more information about participating in the international Green Key or Blue Flag labels, please contact Program Manager Delroy de Lain at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.+1 721 587 1318. For more information about the SMART trade show this April 8-11 visit: shta.com/SMART

SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY) - Community Development, Family, and Humanitarian (CDFHA) a department within the Ministry of Public Health, Social Development and Labour (VSA) celebrates International Social Worker’s Day under the theme, “Buen Vivir: Shared Future for Transformative Change”.

The International Federation of Social Workers indicated that this year’s theme emphasizes the need for social workers to adopt innovative, community-led approaches that champion a future where communities and nature coexist in harmony to create a shared sustainable future.

This theme fits the current aspirations and challenges of social workers globally. As we face environmental damages, multiple crises, poverty, and inequality, social work must continue to operate, develop, and evolve innovative, transformative approaches that are community-led. The principle of Buen Vivir emphasized that true well-being can be achieved when communities live in peace with nature and collaborate for balanced growth.

World Social Worker Day is observed on the third Tuesday of March worldwide. This annual international event celebrates the role of social workers and their contributions to society. It provides an opportunity for us to reflect on the value of social workers in our communities and how their work enhances people’s lives.

Social work is a practical profession in which trained professionals help vulnerable individuals and communities. Social workers are professionals who hold a bachelor’s degree in social work who provide guidance, support, interventions, and other services to assist individuals in finding the appropriate resources for their needs and challenges in life.

They also encourage social change and development, social cohesion, and the empowerment and liberation of people. Their roles and responsibilities are performed at three interrelated levels: micro (individuals), mezzo (groups), and macro (institutions and communities).

In closing, on this World Social Workers Day, let us reaffirm our commitment to promoting social justice and supporting the most vulnerable members of our society. Together, let us continue to advocate for positive change and strive towards building a more inclusive and equitable world for all. CDFHA, and by extension, the Ministry of VSA, would like to express their gratitude to all social workers for their dedication and compassion in making a difference in the lives of others. Happy Social Worker’s Day.

SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY) - As part of Women's Month celebrations and activities, renowned Awarded Fashion Blogger, personal stylists Kenty Lichtenberg and founder of Flourish (online pre-loved store), Peta-Gaye Harriott have joined forces to host a workshop focused on style and sustainable fashion. The event aimed to empower women and men to embrace their personal style while making environmentally conscious fashion choices.

The workshop, titled "Style & Thrift," took place on March 10^th, at the studio of collaborative partner, Focus Forward Media. Participants had the opportunity to learn from Lichtenberg and Harriott, who brought a different perspective of thrift shopping both locally, on line and in person within the fashion industry. The interactive session covered topics such as wardrobe curation, styling tips, and strategies for incorporating sustainable fashion practices into daily life that will be time effective and reduce wardrobe anxiety.

Kenty Lichtenberg, known for her signature style and commitment to women empowering and education, expressed her excitement about the collaboration: "I was thrilled to partner with Peta-Gaye Harriott for this workshop. Together, we were able to inspire women and men to express themselves authentically through fashion while promoting eco-friendly and ethical practices."

Peta-Gaye Harriott, an up-and-coming fashion consultant/stylist and advocate for sustainable fashion, echoed Lichtenberg's sentiments: "In today's world, it's essential to prioritize sustainability in fashion. Through this workshop, we hope to empower women and men to make informed choices that align with their values and contribute to a more sustainable future. I am still on that discovery journey, but was happy to be able to share what I have learned so far, and hope that we can continue to put this into practice as we move to a greener world”. Just to give some perspective, clothing accounts for a fifth of the world's 300 million tons of plastic pollution every year. Producing polyester, now the world's most widely used clothing fiber, and other synthetics requires 1.3 billion barrels of oil annually.

The workshop was open to women / men of all ages and backgrounds who were interested in exploring their personal style and learning about sustainable fashion practices. Attendees were treated to an afternoon of fashionable insights, mingling moments and an engaging and informative session, with opportunities for networking and hands-on activities. We look forward to doing many more of these sessions as we work together as a community to create awareness about the fashion industry.