September 12, 2025 No comments
Minister Tackling attends Judicial Four-Party Kingdom Consultation
SINT MAARTEN/THE NETHERLANDS - On Thursday, September 11, 2025, the Minister of Justice Nathalie Tackling represented Sint Maarten at the semi-annual Judicial Four-Party Consultation (JVO), that took place in the Netherlands. Minister Tackling was joined by Minister Shalten Hato of Curaçao, Minister Arthur Dowers of Aruba, and the Netherlands’ Minister of Justice and Security, Foort van Oosten. The discussions addressed key justice and security priorities across the Kingdom, including forensic care, youth crime, detention capacity, and border control. Minister Tackling expressed gratitude for the productive exchange and looks forward to continued collaboration with Kingdom partners, noting that these discussions are vital to building a stronger and more resilient justice system for Sint Maarten.
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September 11, 2025 No comments
Research into ‘life events’ and mental health of young people in the Caribbean Netherlands
SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY) - Mental Health Caribbean (MHC), Amsterdam UMC, and Expertisecentrum Onderwijszorg (EOZ) are jointly launching a large-scale scientific study into trauma experiences and mental health among young people in the Caribbean Netherlands. The study will take place from September 11 to October 19, 2025, in secondary schools and the MBO on Bonaire. The study is called Be You, emphasizing that it focuses on young people themselves: their experiences, feelings, and voice. Since 2022, MHC has been conducting scientific research into trauma. This research has revealed that there is still insufficient data available in the Caribbean context on the life events young people experience and the resulting mental health issues. Young people on the islands struggle with a variety of mental...
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September 11, 2025 No comments
BTP launches national school stamp design competition
SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY) - Bureau Telecommunications and Post St. Maarten (BTP) today announced the launch of a nationwide School Stamp Design Competition in anticipation of the Strategic Postal Business Meeting to be hosted in Sint Maarten on November 5–6, 2025. This international forum will bring together postal leaders to discuss modernizing networks and services through collaboration, innovation, and best practices. The competition invites students from Grade 5 and Grade 6 of all public and private primary schools on the island to design a commemorative postal stamp reflecting Sint Maarten’s culture, heritage, people, or natural beauty. The initiative aims to engage young people creatively, raise awareness of the importance of postal services, and celebrate the island’s role in the global postal community. “The...
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September 11, 2025 No comments
Foresee Foundation Announces Board Changes and New Team Members
SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY) - Foresee Foundation is proud to announce new appointments to its Board and team as part of its continued growth and commitment to community development. The Foundation is pleased to welcome Felisha Aakster as Secretary and Dwight Williams as Treasurer and Vice-President. With extensive experience in non-formal education, youth engagement, and program development in St. Maarten, the wider Dutch Caribbean, and the Netherlands, Felisha Aakster brings valuable expertise to support Foresee Foundation’s organizational development and capacity-building efforts. Dwight Williams has more than 19 years of experience in the financial sector on St. Maarten. Currently working as a Financial Consultant, he specializes in banking, institutional financing, and accounting policies. The Foundation also warmly welcomes Ludmila Duncan as the new Co-Director of...
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September 11, 2025 No comments
Three convicted in Gentlemen’s Club Shooting. Eight-year sentences for two
SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY) - The Court of First Instance in Sint Maarten has delivered its verdict in the case surrounding the fatal shooting that took place on April 13, 2025, at the Gentlemen’s Club in Defiance. The shooting left one man dead. Two of the three defendants, A.M.E.C. and A.A.C., were both convicted of attempted manslaughter, as well as illegal firearm possession. The court rejected their claims of self-defense. Each was sentenced to 8 years imprisonment. M.S. was acquitted of attempted manslaughter. He had stated that he only fired into the air, and the case file did not contradict this statement. The video footage did not show that he fired in the direction of the victim. He was, however, convicted of...
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