Bonaire Becomes the 191st Country in the World to Launch the Human Rights Program

Kralendijk, Bonaire:---  The Bonaire Human Rights Organization (BHRO), accredited by the United Nations together with United for Human Rights International, proudly announces the successful completion of a series of historic human rights events that strengthened community awareness and placed Bonaire on the global human rights map.

1. “We Also Have Rights” Workshop – A Historic First for Bonaire
On December 6, BHRO and United for Human Rights International hosted Bonaire’s first Human Rights Talk and Workshop. Participants took part in interactive training, cultural presentations, and a formal certification exam—resulting in Bonaire’s first Certified Human Rights Defenders.
This achievement officially makes Bonaire the 191st country in the world to implement the United for Human Rights Program.
“This is a historic moment,” said BHRO Founder James Finies. “Bonaire now stands proudly with 190 other countries committed to human rights education and empowerment.”

2. Youth Ride 4 Rights – A Movement on Wheels
On December 10, children, parents, and community members joined BHRO and Human Rights International for the Youth Ride 4 Rights, riding together along the Bonaire promenade to celebrate International Human Rights Day. The event sent a powerful message that human rights belong to everyone, especially the youth.

3. Launch of the New Board of Information at Kaya Grandi
Also on December 10, BHRO unveiled a new Human Rights Board of Information on Kaya Grandi
This location carries deep meaning— the original sign, placed a decade ago, has become a symbol of the strength, determination, and resilience of the people of Bonaire.
The renewed board honors that legacy while marking a new era of public education, visibility, and empowerment for human rights awareness on the island.
These achievements launch BHRO’s five-year Human Rights Campaign, aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals—especially SDG 16: Peace, Justice & Strong Institutions.
BHRO expresses heartfelt appreciation to United for Human Rights International, local partners, volunteers, and the entire Bonaire community for making these events truly historic.

Cole Bay:---  The Rotary Club of St. Martin Sunset, with the generous support of Kooyman, proudly brought Christmas cheer to the St. Maarten Medical Center’s Pediatric Ward this holiday season. This heartfelt initiative aimed to bring smiles, comfort, and warmth to young patients spending this special time of year away from home.

Adding to the spirit of giving, the Learning Unlimited Interact Club took it upon themselves to collect and beautifully gift-wrap over 20 presents for children of all ages. The Interactors personally delivered the gifts to the St. Maarten Medical Center, adding an extra touch of joy and compassion. Their thoughtful gesture helped brighten what can be a difficult time for patients and families, proving that a Christmas tree filled with heartfelt gifts can make the recovery process just a little easier.

Club President Alex Pierre expressed, “It brings great cheer for us as a club to serve the community. It brings us joy to help bring that Christmas feeling to those who may feel down while being in the hospital during this period.”

Additionally, a beautifully decorated Christmas tree was also presented to the Maternity Ward at the Louis Constant Fleming Hospital. The staff expressed heartfelt appreciation and excitement at the opportunity to bring the warmth of the Christmas season to their department.

Service Project Chair, Jamila Boirard, shared, “This project is dear to our hearts, as Christmas is all about giving and lifting spirits. This Christmas Cheer initiative truly matches the season of giving, and for that, I am extremely grateful to Kooyman for coming on board to make this possible.”

Michele Korteweg of Kooyman added, “Kooyman is happy to support organizations with fresh-cut trees each year. We receive many requests and try to spread the joy among a number of different organizations. The Rotary’s efforts will reach both the Dutch side and French side, youth and adults, so we are happy for this collaboration.”

The Rotary Club of St. Martin Sunset remains committed to serving the community through impactful initiatives that bring joy, comfort, and hope especially during the holiday season.

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport has completed Week Two of its Conflict Resolution Training (CRT) pilot, marking a major milestone as the initiative expanded beyond educator development to directly engage first-form students and their parents. The project, led by the Division for Educational Innovation (DEI), continues to strengthen the island’s response to school-based conflict and youth well-being by building shared tools, language, and practices across entire school communities.
This programme responds to the documented rise in adolescent conflict, including peer aggression, bullying, intimidation, and emotional dysregulation, highlighted in recent UNICEF and Court of Guardianship reports. By equipping teachers, students, and families with practical strategies, the CRT pilot aims to cultivate safer learning environments, improve relational trust, and create a unified culture of peace throughout participating schools.
Building on Week One’s educator training, Week Two shifted focus toward those most affected by school conflict: students and their families. The sessions were facilitated by regional Social Impact & Grant Strategy Specialist Mr. Kwasi Cudjoe and Caribbean Associates for Life Skills, Mediation and Management Director Mr. Marlon Bascombe. Their combined expertise grounded the work in global best practices tailored to St. Maarten’s unique social and cultural realities.
First-form students participated in a series of hands-on sessions designed to strengthen self-regulation, improve communication skills, and build peer leadership capacity. Through role-plays, small-group challenges, and guided reflection, students practiced applying Nonviolent Communication (NVC) stems, identified common conflict triggers, and explored healthy ways to interrupt escalation. Educators observing the sessions noted a notable shift in student participation, with several expressing surprise at the depth of insight students offered during dialogue activities. Week Two also featured a dedicated Parent Engagement Session, facilitated by Mr. Cudjoe. Parents explored the factors shaping adolescent behaviour and reflected on communication habits that may unintentionally increase stress or conflict. Many parents expressed appreciation for learning simple, practical tools they could use at home to reinforce school-based practices.
As the CRT pilot moves into its next phase in 2026, parents, students and educators will continue collaborating to strengthen alignment between home and school systems and reinforce shared responsibility for youth well-being and deepen the visibility of peace-building routines across the pilot schools. With momentum building across all levels of the school community, the CRT pilot continues to lay the foundation for long-term transformation. The initiative is part of a multi-year effort supported through 2026, drawing on the expertise of consultants and educators to build safer and more emotionally supportive schools. The Division for Educational Innovation remains committed to advancing school climate, strengthening student well-being, and equipping St. Maarten’s youth with the skills necessary to thrive in both their learning environments and daily lives.

We were extremely impressed with the large number of parents, including fathers and grandfathers, who attended and participated in the Parents’ sessions organized on Thursday, December 4, and Friday, December 5, 2025. Both sessions were very interactive, as the trainers provided opportunities for parents to share their experiences. We would like to thank the schools’ management for encouraging parents to attend the sessions. We extend a special thank you to all parents and grandparents who came out,” said Ms. Oralie Boirard, Manager of the Division for Educational Innovation (DEI).

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Ministry of TEATT, through its Department of Economic, Transportation & Telecommunication (ETT), successfully hosted St. Maarten’s inaugural Agriculture, Livestock & Fisheries (ALF) Expo on Thursday, December 11, 2025, at the University of Sint Maarten. Held from 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM, the Expo drew a strong and diverse crowd,  from entrepreneurs and educators to seasoned farmers, investors, and families, all eager to discover opportunities within this emerging sector.

What began as a policy approved in 2022 has now progressed into a clear and organized national movement, demonstrating the country’s readiness to pursue food security and economic diversification with intention.

Presenters Leading the Shift in St. Maarten’s ALF Sector

The Expo featured powerful presentations from sector leaders, beginning with:

Shervin Frederick, Acting Department Head (ETT) – Sector overview and ALF Expo 2025 Status Apdate

Wendy Jack, Policy Advisor – Presentation on the current state and future of the Fisheries Sector in St. Maarten

Sabrina Brismeur, Nature Foundation – The environmental and sustainable landscape of fisheries

Vanessa Mattew, Policy Advisor (ETT) – Advancement of Hydroponics Programs in Schools

Mr. Ajit Persaud – Coordinator of the Hydroponics Program for Catholic Schools

Rose Poraan-Fleming, Senior Policy Advisor (ETT) – Developing a sustainable poultry industry for the island

A key highlight of the evening was the update from Mr. Ajit Persaud and his colleagues, who shared the success of hydroponics across schools — made possible through the Green Overseas Train-the-Trainer Program. This initiative has:

Positively redirected troubled youth

Taught students entrepreneurial skills, from preparing produce for sale to calculating prices.

Allowed children to benefit directly from what they grow.

Demonstrated SKOS as a model of how agriculture can be reintegrated into education effectively.

Stakeholders & Vendors Reflect Growing Industry Momentum

In addition to presenters, the Expo featured a strong lineup of vendors and partners offering guidance and resources essential to building a modern ALF sector. Attendees connected with:

Qredits, represented by Mr. Oliver Williams

SEDC, represented by Pearl Hendrickson and her team

Arrowroot Farms, represented by Mr. Josiah Halley

Nutramix, represented by Mr. Desmond Brown

Mr. Henk Lake, Supplier of Chicks & Feed

Ms. Merlyn Harrigan, Hobbyist Farmer

Their support reflects the full ecosystem required to grow this sector,  from funding and training to supplies, feed, and community-driven production.

Why ALF Matters Now More Than Ever

During her remarks, the Minister of TEATT grounded the audience in the real urgency behind building the ALF sector:

“We import nearly everything we eat. When the world sneezes… St. Maarten catches the flu,” she said, sparking warm laughter across the room.

“Developing our Agriculture, Livestock & Fisheries sector is not just economic strategy,  it is national security. It reduces dependency, keeps more money at home, and opens new opportunities for families. The energy in this room tonight proves that the people of St. Maarten are ready for these opportunities.”

The Minister also acknowledged the crucial support received to date, including the upcoming DCALFA Annual Conference in 2026, which Sint Maarten will host, and the Fish Aggregating Devices (FADs) now en route thanks to the assistance from Prime Minister Pisas of Curaçao.

A Movement Takes Shape : With More To Come

Acting Department Head Shervin Frederick offered heartfelt closing remarks:

“This has been long in the making, and based on the turnout, we can clearly see the interest in learning more and exploring what this industry offers. This is just the beginning. The Department, the Ministry, and our partners will continue working to ensure ALF becomes a real pillar of diversification for St. Maarten. I thank my team for their support in making this happen and the Minister for championing our vision. For anyone seeking more information, please reach out to the Department.”