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HRM Princess Beatrix to Shine a Spotlight on Nature and Community Efforts During Upcoming Visit.

saba22102024SABA:--- The Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA), on behalf of the Saba Conservation Foundation (SCF) and the Nature Foundation St. Maarten (NFSXM), is pleased to announce the visit of Her Royal Highness Princess Beatrix of the Netherlands to Sint Maarten and Saba from November 12 to 15, 2024. As the patroness of DCNA, the Princess’s visit will highlight nature conservation and social initiatives on the islands.

During her time in Sint Maarten on November 13-14, the Princess will visit Emilio Wilson Park, where she will attend a spoken word event where poems, stories, and monologues about native and invasive species affect the natural areas of their islands and how they can become ‘nature’s defenders.’ The Princess will also plant a native tree in the park, emphasizing the importance of nature conservation. At Milton Peters College, she will join a lesson on marine spatial planning hosted by the Nature Foundation Sint Maarten (NFSXM), which supports sustainable marine management. The Princess will also tour EPIC’s Perpetual Plastics Program, a local recycling initiative, where she will hear from the NFSXM’s Junior Rangers about the impact of plastic waste.
On November 14, HMS Princess Beatrix will take a short stroll along the recently completed Salt Pond boardwalk to learn about the local birds. She will also take a short boat trip along Mullet Bay, the only RAMSAR site on the island, to learn about the importance of the local mangroves. She will also get to visit Little Key, an area at the heart of new proposed legislation that would make this area the first protected nature park on St. Maarten. On the afternoon of November 14, she will preside over the reopening of Princess Juliana International Airport, which was rebuilt after Hurricane Irma.
On November 15 in Saba, the Princess will visit the Saba Conservation Foundation’s (SCF) Saba Research Center, a maritime research laboratory where researchers from Van Hall Larenstein University of Applied Sciences and Wageningen University explain the value of sea urchin breeding efforts aiding coral restoration. At Queen Wilhelmina Park, she will unveil a new nameplate for the Jantje Benton community space and meet with local children involved in the renovation. Her visit will also include the Botanical Garden, where Junior Rangers will demonstrate reforestation efforts, and the youth center ‘The Spot’, where discussions will focus on Unicef’s Child Friendly Cities project.
HMS Princess Beatrix’s visit underscores the importance of nature education and conservation in the Dutch Caribbean while also supporting community well-being through social projects. Her presence is a reflection of her dedication to the natural environment and local communities. As DCNA continues its focus on strengthening Nature Education efforts, this visit highlights its need in order to achieve greater impact with nature conservation on the islands. DCNA has developed its Approach to Education, which will drive the efforts of nature education through its alliance partners. The hope is to instill an appreciation for nature while creating environmental stewards in the Dutch Caribbean.
"We are privileged to welcome HMS Princess Beatrix, whose dedication to nature conservation aligns with our mission to preserve the unique natural heritage of Sint Maarten and Saba," said Arno Verhoeven of the Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance. "Her visit is a testament to the importance of community involvement in safeguarding our natural environment."

 


St. Maarten Tourism Bureau in collaboration with U.S. Public Relations Firm, Diamond PR, to host top tier media in St. Maarten.

~Arriving on October 20th, Five Members Of The Us Media Will Visit St. Maarten to explore all the destination has to offer, with an emphasis on the local culture.~

 

PHILIPSBURG:--- Set to arrive this Sunday, October 20th, a group of five (5) top-tier media from the United States will explore St. Maarten with an itinerary curated to focus on the island’s vibrant culture as it relates to local traditions, cuisine, history and more. This visit is an initiative by the St. Maarten Tourism Bureau, spearheaded by the U.S.-based public relations firm and agency of record for the STB, Diamond Public Relations. This group of freelance writers contribute to publications such as National Geographic, MSN, USA Today, TIME, and Travel Noire and will spend five days / four nights immersing themselves in all the destination has to offer.

While on island, the group is graciously being hosted by Simpson Bay Resort, Marina & Spa, followed by the JW Marriott St. Maarten Beach Resort & Spa. On-island, experiences will include Titah Doll painting and its history, a look inside Carnival through the interactive We Culture Museum, a peek at St. Maarten festivals in a unique way at Under SXM, and a Johnny Cake making class at Tj's Cassava Coal Pot. The island’s local culinary scene will also be showcased through meals at Bamboo House, Captain D’s Rib Shack, Sale & Pepe, Carambola, and Cindy’s Roti, with a quick visit to the French side for a peek into their dining scene as well. This visit will also include a day trip to the neighboring island of Saba with the intention of promoting island-hopping and positioning St. Maarten as a main hub for Caribbean exploration.

“Having media of this caliber visit St. Maarten in order to share their experience firsthand is key to keeping us top of mind amongst the US consumers as they make travel and vacation choices,” said May-Ling Chun, Director of Tourism for the St. Maarten Tourism Bureau. “We also send a heartfelt thanks to the SHTA and the full support of the private sector in the form of accommodations, activities, meals and more, as we wouldn’t be able to showcase the diversity and variety of options on island without them. Their partnership is an invaluable and key part of our efforts.”

Later this month the island will also welcome a group of five influencers, hosted and sourced by Diamond Public Relations, focused on staying active while on vacation, as well as a group of up to 15 Tik Tok Content Creators that will visit during Flavors thus further promoting our robust culinary scene.

 

Toastmasters: Empowering Individuals for Personal and Professional Growth.

PHILIPSBURG:--- For 100 years and counting, Toastmasters International has been helping individuals around the world become more confident and effective communicators. Often misunderstood as solely a public speaking club, Toastmasters offers so much more. With a presence in over 145 countries and thousands of clubs worldwide, Toastmasters provides a platform for personal development, leadership training, and the enhancement of critical skills that transcend public speaking alone.
Toastmasters members benefit from a structured program that fosters growth in communication, leadership, and interpersonal skills. The organization's focus is on personal development, helping individuals build self-confidence, sharpen their critical thinking abilities, and manage their time effectively. Members also gain valuable networking opportunities, forming mentorship bonds and participating in regional and international conferences that expand their horizons.
In St. Maarten, Toastmasters has had a profound impact on the lives of its members, helping them grow both personally and professionally. The unique multicultural environment on the island, where multiple languages are spoken, further enriches the Toastmasters experience. Local clubs like the Disciples Toastmasters Club offer a fun and supportive space for members to develop their skills and connect with others. With a strong focus on leadership and personal growth, Toastmasters is a proven resource for those who want to become their best selves.
Toastmasters International is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year, marking a century of transforming lives through its educational programs. As Helen Blanchard, the first female Toastmasters President, once said, “If you get out of Toastmasters all that you can get out of Toastmasters, you will never get out of Toastmasters.” The organization's commitment to personal development is why so many members, including those in St. Maarten, stay engaged for years, continuously learning and growing.
The Disciples Toastmasters Club invites you to experience the benefits firsthand by attending their upcoming meeting on October 27th, 2024, at 5 p.m. at the St. Maarten Academy. Join us and see how Toastmasters can help you achieve your personal and professional goals.

 

Two Fun New Nature Books Launch With Free Giveaway This Saturday.

French Quarter, St. Martin:--- The Les Fruits de Mer association invites the public to celebrate the double launch of Incredibilia! 2 and the companion Incredibilia! 2 Activity Book. These two new books are the latest in the association’s popular Incredibilia! series about St. Martin nature. The free launch event will be held this Saturday, October 26 from 9am to noon at Amuseum Naturalis. There will be a coloring station and an art activity where kids and adults can enjoy decorating bags with some of the local wildlife featured in the books. Free copies of both books will be given away at the event.

Each book in the Incredibilia! series reveals the wild secrets and superpowers of 20 plants and animals found here. Incredibilia! 2 pairs the 20 fascinating nature stories with bright color photos. The Incredibilia! 2 Activity Book pairs the stories with coloring pages, as well as fun mazes, word games, and creative writing activities. At the request of St. Martin educators, the association now creates an activity book to accompany each Incredibilia! photo and story book.

“Nature is all around us on St. Martin,” said author Jenn Yerkes. “And there are amazing things to discover about it, like how the Green Heron uses tools. And which bat can make a tent from a tree!” These incredible true nature stories also inspire the activities in the activity book, she adds. “One writing activity invites you to imagine what would happen if your mouth had drilling superpowers like the Antillean Carpenter Bee, and write a story about it!”

Both books are bilingual in English and French, and bursting with natural and cultural heritage. The stories in the new books draw on selections from Yerkes’ popular weekly St. Martin nature series “Le saviez-vous ?” published in Le Pélican. The French parts of the books were edited thanks to the editing team of Le Pélican.

Free printed copies of both new books will be given away, thanks to Vie Associative and the Politique de la ville de Saint-Martin. The giveaways will be offered at the launch, along with coloring and the art activity. The free event will be held on Saturday, October 26 at Amuseum Naturalis at The Old House in French Quarter from 9am to noon.

The new books are also both available as free downloads from http://lesfruitsdemer.com, and for purchase on amazon.com worldwide. Teachers and youth group leaders interested in copies are encouraged to contact Les Fruits de Mer at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Companies, organizations or individuals interested in sponsoring copies for schools are also encouraged to contact the association.

Free printed copies of both new Incredibilia! books will also be given to local schools as part of Les Fruits de Mer’s book giveaway program. This program is supported by Vie Associative and the Politique de la ville de Saint-Martin, implemented by the State and the Collectivité de Saint-Martin, and by Fondation Air France. Both books were produced with support from Vie Associative, the Collectivité de Saint-Martin and the Agence nationale de la cohésion des territoires.

 

St. Maarten Hosts First Workshop on ILO Conventions No. 87 and No. 144

veronicajansen30052024PHILIPSBURG:---  A two-day workshop on International Labour Organization (ILO) Conventions No. 87 and No. 144 is currently being held at the University of St. Martin, bringing together key players from St. Maarten's government, employer associations, and labor unions. The workshop, organized by the ILO’s Decent Work Team and Office for the Caribbean, aims to improve compliance with these essential conventions, which focus on freedom of association and tripartite consultation.

The workshop is led by Dr. Joni Musabayana, Director of the ILO Decent Work Team and Office for the Caribbean, with support from Ms. Oksana Wolfson, facilitator and ILO specialist, and Mr. Shingo Miyake, who designed the workshop program.

In her opening remarks, the Honorable Minister of Public Health, Social Development, and Labor welcomed participants and highlighted the importance of strengthening dialogue between the government, employers, and workers. She stressed that improving collaboration will help create a more balanced and productive working environment in St. Maarten.

“This gathering marks a significant step towards strengthening our commitment to labor rights and standards in Sint Maarten; it will provide a platform for open dialogue, where we can share experiences, insights, and best practices,” said the Minister.

Participants will focus on how to enhance compliance with Convention No. 87, which guarantees the right to freedom of association, and Convention No. 144, which promotes consultation between governments, employers, and workers. These discussions are expected to lead to tangible improvements in St. Maarten’s labor relations.

The workshop will wrap up on October 22, 2024, with recommendations for further action.

 


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