PHILIPSBURG:--- At a recent international gathering of scholars and innovators in Lisbon, Portugal, Dr. Delroy Pierre, an organizational and educational change researcher based on Sint Maarten, unveiled a provocative new chapter examining how colonial legacies continue to shape classrooms across the Caribbean.

His work, “Educational Change, Creativity and Sensemaking in a Caribbean Colonial Context,” appears in the newly released volume The Power of Creative Thinking: Identifying and Solving Problems in Business, Education, and Society, edited by Dr. Fredricka K. Reisman, Emerita Professor at Drexel University and founder of its School of Education.

The book was launched at the Knowledge, Innovation and Enterprise (KIE) Conference in Lisbon, bringing together academics and practitioners from around the globe to discuss the role of creativity in tackling society’s most pressing problems.

In his chapter, Dr. Pierre argues that education reform in the Caribbean is inseparable from the region’s colonial past. Drawing on Sint Maarten as a case study, he shows how educators’ capacity for creative problem-solving, essential for improving schools and advancing educational equity, depends heavily on how they interpret their environment, or what scholars call “sensemaking.”

“Educational change in the Caribbean cannot be separated from its colonial history, as that history forms part of the current context that provides meaning” Dr. Pierre said. “By fostering creativity and deepening educators’ sensemaking, we can challenge restrictive structures and build pathways toward more just, inclusive, and context-sensitive educational futures.”

The broader book features contributions from international experts who examine creative thinking in fields as varied as business, education and social policy. Dr. Reisman, the editor, is also Director of the Freddie Reisman Center for Translational Research in Creativity and Motivation and the Drexel/Torrance Center for Creativity and Innovation.

For Dr. Pierre, who works at the Creative Leadership and Innovation Management Bureau (CLIMB) on Sint Maarten, the publication represents a critical step in the development of his Caribbeanized educational change model that places participatory approaches and the Caribbean’s unmatched creativity at the center of educational change.  By placing Caribbean realities at the center of global debates about creativity and reform, he hopes to inspire educators and leaders to rethink how schools can break free from inherited structures and better serve their communities.

The book, The Power of Creative Thinking, is now available through academic publishers and can be downloaded for free at https://kiecon.org/creativity-books/.

PHILIPSBURG:---  The House of Parliament will sit in a Public meeting on September 15, 2025.  

The Public meeting is scheduled for Monday at 14.00 hrs. in the Legislative Hall at Wilhelminastraat #1 in Philipsburg.

The agenda points are:

1. Incoming documents
2. Advice regarding the installation and composition of the Permanent and Ad hoc Committees of Parliament
3. Appointment Vice-Chairperson(s)

Members of the public are invited to the House of Parliament to attend parliamentary deliberations. All persons visiting the House of Parliament must adhere to the house rules.

The House of Parliament is located across from the Court House in Philipsburg. 

The parliamentary sessions will be carried live on TV 15, Soualiga Headlines, via SXM GOV radio FM 107.9, via Pearl Radio FM 98.1, the audio via the internet www.sxmparliament.org, www.pearlfmradio.sx and www.youtube.com/c/SintMaartenParliament 

PHILIPSBURG:--- The House of Parliament will sit in a Central Committee meeting on September 15, 2025.  

The Central Committee meeting, which was adjourned on September 10, 2025, due to technical difficulties, will be reconvened on Monday at 10.00 hrs. in the Legislative Hall at Wilhelminastraat #1 in Philipsburg.

The agenda point is:

2. Advice regarding the installation and composition of the Permanent and Ad hoc Committees of Parliament

Members of the public are invited to the House of Parliament to attend parliamentary deliberations. All persons visiting the House of Parliament must adhere to the house rules.

The House of Parliament is located across from the Court House in Philipsburg. 

The parliamentary sessions will be carried live on TV 15, Soualiga Headlines, via SXM GOV radio FM 107.9, via Pearl Radio FM 98.1, the audio via the internet www.sxmparliament.org, www.pearlfmradio.sx and www.youtube.com/c/SintMaartenParliament 

PHILIPSBURG:--- The White & Yellow Cross Care Foundation (WYCCF) proudly hosted the first edition of its Dementia Awareness Walkathon this past Saturday, September 6^th. At exactly 6:00 AM, fifty-five enthusiastic participants set off from the St. Martin’s Home, following a route along L.B. Scot Road, Bush Road, Zagersgut Road, and Coralita Road, before returning to the WYCCF. The early-morning walk brought together community members, volunteers, and supporters for a meaningful start to the day, combining fitness, solidarity, and advocacy.

This year’s theme, “Ask About Dementia… Ask About Alzheimer’s,” encouraged participants to break the silence surrounding these conditions, sparking conversations, asking questions, and sharing personal experiences.

“Every step taken and every question asked helps to create a more compassionate and informed community,” said Minerva Maccow, one of WYCCF’s three students enrolled in the Dementia Case Managers training. “Our goal is to ensure that no one faces dementia alone, and we hope this event serves as a reminder that we are moving forward together.”

The event was made possible thanks to the generosity of community partners and sponsors, including Carl and Sons Unique Bakery, Cost U Less, Mrs. Lorraine Brookes, and Mrs. Irene Kemper, as well as the many volunteers who contributed their time and energy to making the event a success.

The Walkathon is part of WYCCF’s Alzheimer’s Awareness Month initiatives, spearheaded by its future Dementia Case Managers: Mrs. Minerva Maccow, Mrs. Michelline Hunte, and Mrs. Vaitaire Overman. In addition to the walk, the team has organized a series of community outreach activities, including the launch of the Alzheimer’s Support Group Cooking Club later this month. This new bi-monthly initiative invites informal caregivers and their loved ones to enjoy a social evening of cooking together, alternating with the regular Alzheimer’s Support Group sessions that offer the opportunity to ask questions, share experiences, vent, and exchange tips and best practices.

“We believe that quality care begins long before a diagnosis,” added Maccow. “Raising awareness, supporting prevention, and equipping informal caregivers are all essential parts of our mission to improve quality of life for those affected by dementia.”

The White & Yellow Cross Care Foundation remains committed to providing trusted, quality care and to fostering a more dementia-aware community through education, support, and compassion.