PHILIPSBURG:--- 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 the Executive Board. Based in the Netherlands, Ludmila will represent Foresee Foundation internationally while supporting St. Maarten’s NGO sector and contributing to several Foresee projects. As a former Member of Parliament, a community-driven leader, and an accomplished consultant and researcher, she brings extensive expertise and a strong network that will help expand the Foundation’s regional and global reach.

In addition to changes at the Board level, the Foundation has strengthened its team with the addition of Ashma Berkel, a passionate advocate for the most vulnerable in society. She will manage the office and provide logistical support across the NPOwer program and other initiatives.

Sahar Thomson, a young professional from St. Maarten, has joined as Island Team Lead for the Strengthening Families Together program—a three-year collaboration with Curaçao and Aruba, in partnership with Oranje Fonds and Stichting Kinderpostzegels. She also supports digital innovation across various Foresee Foundation projects, bringing fresh energy and new perspectives.

The Foundation extends heartfelt gratitude to Rajesh Chintaman, who recently concluded his tenure with the organization after nearly four years of dedicated service. Appreciation is also expressed to all former board members for their contributions as the Foundation enters a new phase of strengthened governance and operational capacity.

With its renewed Board and growing team of committed professionals, Foresee Foundation is well-positioned to continue its mission of empowering civil society through innovative, inclusive, and impactful programming.

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Rotary Club of St. Martin Sunset continued its strong commitment to maternal and child health by distributing 100 maternity baskets to new and expectant mothers at the hospitals on both the Dutch and French sides of the island. This meaningful initiative, carried out during July and August, reflects the Club’s dedication to supporting vulnerable families and strengthening partnerships with local healthcare institutions. The first distribution took place at the St. Maarten Medical Center (Dutch side), followed by the second at the Centre Hospitalier Louis-Constant Fleming (French side), with each hospital receiving 50 baskets. The baskets, filled with essential items for newborns and mothers, were donated to assist families in need as they begin their journey into parenthood. In addition to the hospital distributions, the Club also had the privilege of personally presenting baskets to two expectant mothers, one on each side of the island, symbolizing the project’s direct impact on families within the community. “Maternal and child health is one of Rotary’s key areas of focus, and as a Club, we remain committed to making a positive impact in our community,” said Alex PIERRE, President of the Rotary Club of St. Martin Sunset.

“By donating these baskets, we hope to ease the transition for mothers in need and remind them that their community supports them.” The distribution on the French side further allowed members to connect with nurses, doctors, and hospital administrators, leading to constructive dialogue about future collaboration. The Club expressed its enthusiasm about the possibility of working closely with the hospital’s Managing Director on upcoming health-related initiatives. The Rotary Club of St. Martin Sunset also extended heartfelt thanks to its community partners, particularly Divico, Nagico, and St. Maarten Nectar, whose contributions made this year’s distribution possible. This initiative exemplifies Rotary’s motto of “Service Above Self” by ensuring that families, regardless of which side of the island they reside on, receive the care, encouragement, and support they deserve at such a critical stage in life. About Rotary Club of St. Martin Sunset: Chartered in 2018, the Rotary Club of St. Martin Sunset is one of the newest and fastest-growing Rotary Clubs in District 7020. The Club is dedicated to serving the community through impactful projects focused on Rotary International’s areas of focus, including maternal and child health, education, and economic development.

PHILIPSBURG:--- On Tuesday, September 9, 2025, during the reception on the occasion of the new Parliamentary Year, the Hon. President of Parliament, Mrs. Sarah A. Wescot-Williams, presented a youth with the President of Parliament Award for exemplary behavior, leadership skills, and their contribution to the community. This year, the recipient of the President of Parliament Award was Mr. Jean-Marc Augusty. 

Mr. Augusty received this recognition for demonstrating outstanding leadership skills, vision, diligence, integrity, and a deep commitment to community and service by reconnecting and rediscovering the fractured memories and the legacy of Sint Maarten. 

Mr. Augusty has made significant contributions to the preservation of the island's cultural heritage by locating historic ruins that were previously hidden or on the verge of destruction. 

He has volunteered with the St. Maarten Museum by improving their website and adding historical information for greater accessibility. 

He relocated the forgotten ruins of the Diamond Estate—site of the 1848 slave escape—enabling the space to serve as the backdrop for the 2022 Emancipation Day commemoration organized by the Department of Culture. He also invested a lot of time and energy in locating plantation remains across the island, bringing lost landscapes back into public awareness through drone technology.

He has also invested many hours in investigating the 1793 Courthouse, which has yielded a 200+ page report and the original authorization records for its construction. These discoveries can directly support conservation decisions, policy planning, heritage interpretation, and civic education for now and years to come. 

Mr. Augusty's work has made Sint Maarten's history all the more relevant and alive with his profound knowledge of the past. To date, he provides tours to local organizations, schools, and tourists, as well as gives presentations on regional and international platforms such as the Dutch Caribbean Heritage Platform's 10th-anniversary conference in May 2024 and the International Association for Caribbean Archaeology (IACA) conference in August 2024; all while continuing to investigate the transitions of monuments on the island. He does all this as a young, concerned citizen using research, storytelling, and advocacy to save what remains of our collective memory.

Mr. Jean-Marc Augusty, accompanied by his parents and other guests, was present during the reception of the Opening of the Parliamentary Year 2025-2026, which was coincidentally hosted at the Monumental Louisan Augusta Illidge Hall - Brickbuilding, to receive the award. He proudly accepted his award with an acceptance speech during which he expressed his gratitude for being awarded this year's President of Parliament Award. 

Mr. Augusty was nominated by Mr. Ralph Cantave, Ms. Ludmila Duncan, Ms. Chelse McIlroy, Mr. David Richardson, and Ms. Natasha Richardson.

As one of the nominators phrased it, "Let this award not just honor him—but affirm to the youth of St. Martin that it's cool to care about our culture, that history matters, and that one person can truly make a difference."

The Parliament of Sint Maarten encourages all young people in Sint Maarten to continue setting exemplary standards of leadership and to contribute actively to the development of our island and its people.

PHILIPSBURG:--- In October 2024, the Council of State of the Kingdom published an unsolicited advice entitled “Samenwerken op basis van wederzijds begrip” (“Cooperation Based on Mutual Understanding”), marking a significant milestone — the 70th anniversary of the Kingdom Charter. 
 
Originally adopted on 15 December 1954, the Kingdom Charter serves as the foundational legal framework that defines the relationship among the constituent countries of the Kingdom: the Netherlands, Aruba, Curaçao, and Sint Maarten. 
 
In November 2024, the Government of Sint Maarten received official correspondence from the State Secretary for Digitalization and Kingdom Relations, Mr. Zsolt Szabó, requesting a formal response to the Council of State’s advice. Recognizing the importance of delivering a comprehensive and inclusive reply, a dedicated Kingdom Charter Committee was established by the Prime Minister / Minister of General Affairs in March 2025. The Committee consisted of Ms. Gwendolien Mossel (Chair), Mr. Jason Rogers (Vice-Chair), and Mr. Randolf Duggins (member). The response was authored by Dr. Nilda Arduin. 
 
To ensure that the response truly reflects a broad spectrum of perspectives, the Committee engaged extensively with key stakeholders, including (former) government officials,  the President of Parliament MP Sarah Wescot-Williams, representatives from the One SXM Association, and the Pro Soualiga Foundation. Their insights have been instrumental in shaping a balanced and forward-looking intervention. 
 
The Committee’s work was supported by the Department of the Interior and Kingdom Relations (BAK) of the Ministry of General Affairs, led by Ms. Angelique Gumbs, who provided technical guidance and coordination throughout the process. 
 
On September 1, 2025, the Committee formally submitted its report titled “A New Dialogue Empowered by Mutual Trust” to Prime Minister Dr. Luc Mercelina. This report lays the groundwork for renewed dialogue, emphasizing the importance of mutual respect, understanding, and cooperation in strengthening the bonds within the Kingdom. 
 
Prime Minister Dr. Luc Mercelina expressed his appreciation for the Committee’s work, stating, “The Kingdom Charter has been the cornerstone of our shared history for over seven decades. With this report, Sint Maarten reaffirms its commitment to shaping a future that is based on equality, fairness, and mutual trust. I extend my gratitude to the Committee, the many stakeholders, and BAK under the leadership of Ms. Angelique Gumbs for ensuring that our nation’s voice is both clear and principled in this important dialogue.”