InterExpo Caribbean NV organizes the 36^th congress “Fifteen years after 10/10/10” on 9, 10 and 11 December 2025 in the press- and debate centre Nieuwspoort in The Hague.

10 October 2010 is a memorable day. On this day, in accordance with the policy of the fourth Balkenende cabinet, the Netherlands Antilles were dissolved and the countries of Curaçao and Sint Maarten were established. The islands of Bonaire, Sint Eustatius, and Saba became part of the Netherlands as public entities on that day.

The 36^th Congress aims to be a retrospective of fifteen years since the constitutional reform of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Political officials, parliamentarians, representatives from the business community, and academia will gather for a wide-ranging debate on the development of the autonomous islands and public bodies in the Caribbean within the Kingdom of the Netherlands. A variety of current topics will be addressed during the congress. The key question is: what do the islands expect from the Netherlands, and what does the Netherlands expect from the islands?

The conference will be officially opened by State Secretary Eddie van Marum of Kingdom Relations. Keynote speakers include Minister of State Prof. Dr. Jan Peter Balkenende, the National Ombudsman Mr. Reinier van Zutphen, Prof. Dr. Edwin Bleichrodt, Attorney General at the Supreme Court of the Netherlands, Ms. Sarah Wescot-Williams, Speaker of the Parliament of Sint Maarten, Drs. Luc Mercelina, Prime Minister of Sint Maarten, Mr. Mike G. Eman, Prime Minister of Aruba, and many others.

During the conference, a joint presentation will be given by Mr. Geoffrey Wever, Minister of Finance of Aruba, and Ms. Lidewijde Ongering of the Financial Supervision Board (CFT). The core of the presentation will be how the CFT anticipates the current financial situation and what the future holds.

The conference offers space for speakers who are critical of the structure of the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the roles played and still played by the Netherlands and its Caribbean constituents. It also features speakers who champion the shared values ​​within the Kingdom and the opportunities it offers.

Over the past year, elections have been held in various countries within the Kingdom, and new parliaments have been installed. It is unique that all the countries within the Kingdom are meeting in The Hague, in the Tweede Kamer building, with new members of parliament so soon after a new parliament was installed in the Netherlands. This provides an opportunity for parliamentarians from the various countries within the Kingdom to get acquainted and exchange ideas.

The conference also provides a platform for scholars to reflect on relevant aspects of the Caribbean part of the Kingdom from their own perspectives.

Several panel discussions will be chaired by Prof. Dr. Ernst Hirsch Ballin, former Minister of Justice and Minister of the Interior and Kingdom Relations of the Netherlands, and Ms. Suzy Camelia Römer, former Prime Minister of Curaçao, politician, and currently a research associate at the University of Curaçao. The conference chair will be Prof. Dr. Peter Diekman RA.

Curaçao, 30 October 2025

~approximately 70 persons in attendance ~

PHILIPSBURG:--- C’z Exclusive Business Services, in collaboration with the National Employment Services Centre (NESC), proudly hosted its second Job Fair at the Government Administration Building. The event welcomed many job seekers who participated in on-the-spot interviews conducted by attending companies, and several candidates were hired later that same day.

The initiative aimed to explore innovative recruitment opportunities and strengthen connections between employers and talented job seekers across various sectors.

C’z Exclusive Business Services is a trusted job placement agency that connects qualified candidates with reputable organizations. Beyond recruitment, the company provides a variety of professional services including outsourcing, payroll, courier operations, accounting, and banking support, among others.

Founded in 2018, the National Employment Services Centre (NESC) is dedicated to supporting local employment through training, digital matchmaking, and strategic partnerships with the private sector. Its mission is to create sustainable job opportunities and enhance employability within the community.

Throughout the event, C’z Exclusive Business Services representatives and participating employers conducted first-round interviews. Candidates who were not immediately placed will have their résumés forwarded to potential clients for review and possible second-round interviews. Follow-up emails will be sent to inform applicants of their status, while all submissions will remain on file for future vacancies.

According to Ms. Hook, CEO of C’z Exclusive Business Services, this successful partnership between C’z Exclusive Business Services and NESC highlights their ongoing commitment to empowering job seekers, supporting local businesses, and strengthening St. Maarten’s workforce.

As C’z Exclusive and NESC look ahead, both organizations remain committed to building stronger partnerships, creating meaningful opportunities, and helping every candidate take the next step toward a brighter professional future.

 Kralendijk, Bonaire:--- The Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) invites all primary schools across Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao, Saba, St. Eustatius, and St. Maarten to participate in the Big Live Nature Quiz, Kids Edition 2025!

The event will take place on Friday, November 7th, 2025, from 8:30 to 9:15 a.m. (AST), via Zoom. The Big Live Nature Quiz is a free, fun, and interactive online quiz designed to bring students together from across the six islands to learn about and celebrate nature in an exciting competition. The event aims to educate and inspire young people about the unique biodiversity of the Dutch Caribbean while encouraging pride in their natural heritage.

Open to students in grades 5 and 6 (Dutch school system “groep 7 en 8”), the quiz features multiple-choice trivia questions based on the latest issue of BioNews Kids magazine, available in English, Dutch, and Papiamentu/o. Participating schools can obtain printed copies of BioNews Kids ahead of the event, available for pickup at their local park management organization. 

This year’s theme is “Becoming an Underwater Explorer.” Students will dive into the fascinating marine habitats of the Dutch Caribbean, from coral reefs and seagrass meadows to mangroves, bays, lagoons, sandy and rocky shores, intertidal zones, and even the deep ocean. The quiz teaches kids why these habitats are important, how they’re connected, and what they can do to help protect them. 

Registration is required to participate and can be done at www.BigLiveNatureQuiz.org. Schools can register as many teams as they want! 

Exciting Prize

The winning team will receive a sailing and snorkel trip for the students and their teacher, a day of adventure and celebration on their home waters. Each island winner will also receive fun local prizes!

The Big Live Nature Quiz is part of DCNA’s ongoing efforts to make nature education engaging and accessible for young audiences across the region. 

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Positive Foundation and the Elektralyets Foundation proudly close another powerful Breast Cancer Awareness Month under the theme “Love the Tatas, Check ’Em!”

Throughout October, the community came together in solidarity, support, and celebration of survivorship and early detection. From the Play for the Cure Softball Tournament and the vibrant Pink Parade to the serene Pink Sunset Sail and symbolic Princess Walk at PJIA Airport, every event reflected the island’s strength and unity in the fight against breast cancer.

A special thanksgiving service at the Colebay Methodist Church gave the community a moment to reflect, give thanks to survivors and honor those who have lost their battles. The service, filled with prayers, testimonies and uplifting songs, brought together participants, survivors, families, and supporters for a powerful moment of unity.

The Foundations proudly hosted various vital educational workshops in collaboration with the MBC Travelers from the United States. The workshop featured key presentations: “Know Your Lemons”, an informative and interactive breast health session early detection, an informational lecture by Dr. McKensie, Breast Medical Oncologist from Natera, highlighting the importance of early detection and testing and “Empower Yourself, Empower Others” by Yolanda-Jackson Martina, a breast cancer survivor, who shared her powerful journey of resilience and empowerment.

As part of the ongoing commitment to women’s health, a special Women’s Health Day was also held at the St. Maarten Medical Center, offering a range of free health services. Participants received clinical breast exams, mammogram vouchers for uninsured individuals, as well as blood pressure, blood sugar, and HIV screenings. The event successfully served over 150 participants, reinforcing the Foundations’ dedication to promoting early detection, awareness, and accessible healthcare for all.

In partnership with multiple medical clinics across the island, from Philipsburg to Dutch Quarter to Maho and Colebay, the Breast Cancer Screening Program 2025 made early detection more accessible than ever, offering free clinical breast examinations, mammograms vouchers for uninsured individuals who may need a mammogram.

The foundations facilitated presentations by survivors to corporate organizations, educational institutions, and faith-based groups to raise awareness and promote education. These presentations offered powerful firsthand perspectives that inspired our community to act early, increasing the availability of diverse treatment options.

Representatives of the Positive and Elektralyets Foundations, Shelly Alphonso and Mercedes van der Waals Wyatt, extend heartfelt gratitude to all volunteers, healthcare professionals, partners, sponsors, and participants who made this month a grand success.

Donations and funds raised throughout the month will continue to fuel the Foundation’s unwavering mission to educate and empower. These contributions directly support impactful initiatives such as billboards campaigns, dynamic social media outreach, public service announcements, free mammograms for uninsured individuals and distribution of educational materials. Through innovative and engaging efforts, the foundations aim to reach not only the local community but also inspire awareness and action far beyond our shores.

“Every event, every conversation, every small step makes an enormous impact,” added Shelly Alphonso. “Our community continues to show up with love, courage, and purpose. Every walk, every screening, every conversation helps save lives.”

“Our community’s spirit is our greatest strength,” said Mercedes Van der Waals Wyatt. “It is this sense of unity and determination that makes all the difference in raising awareness and saving lives.”

As the month concludes, the foundations remind everyone that breast health is a year-round commitment. Women — and men — are encouraged to perform monthly self-checks, schedule annual mammograms in consultation with their doctor, and continue to share the message that early detection saves lives.

The Positive Foundation and Elektralyets Foundation remain committed to empowering the community through education, support, and advocacy — ensuring that the message of hope and early detection continues far beyond October.

Together, we are stronger. Together, we save lives.

For more information, follow the Positive Foundation and Elektralyets Foundation on social media or contact
Shelly Alphonso – +1-721-580-9658 | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Mercedes van der Waals Wyatt – +1-721-523-7418 | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.