PHILIPSBURG:--- The Islands Innovation Institute (I-3) is pleased to announce a unique opportunity for young professionals to participate in a high-impact leadership experience aimed at reimagining island development through social innovation.
The Future-Ready Leadership Masterclass: Transforming + Elevating Small Island Communities through Social Innovation will be held May 14 and 15, 2025, from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. in Guana Bay. This dynamic, in-person dinner event will bring together emerging leaders to explore creative, sustainable, and community-driven solutions for the Caribbean. The masterclass will be led virtually by Dela Wilson, JD, MPA, a Harvard-educated cultural producer and founder of Axle Impact Studio. With experience across the U.S., Caribbean, and Africa, Wilson bridges art, policy, and innovation to support impactful social change. Participants will engage with topics such as social innovation, design thinking, sustainability, and cultural leadership through a curriculum grounded in the African diaspora. A locally sourced dinner will be provided each evening by Sint Maarten chef Tracy Blijden of Flamboyant Spoon Studio. All participants will receive a certificate of completion.
A limited number of sponsorships, each valued at USD 300, are available for eligible young professionals. Sponsorship covers course materials and the full in-person culinary experience. Interested applicants must submit a brief motivation letter of no more than 300 words by April 10, 2025, to be considered. Applicants should explain why they want to attend the masterclass, what leadership means to them, and how they plan to use this experience to benefit Sint Maarten or the wider Caribbean. Letters should be sent to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Businesses, foundations, and individuals interested in sponsoring one or more participants are also invited to get in touch. A sponsorship of USD 300 directly supports a young professional’s participation and positions the sponsor as a champion of youth development, leadership, and sustainable innovation on the island.
The Islands Innovation Institute is a reactivated nonprofit foundation based in Sint Maarten, serving as a knowledge hub and convener of homegrown talent, global expertise, and community voices. I-3 brings together creatives, students, anti-conformists, thought leaders, and community members of all ages to explore innovative, locally grounded solutions to the unique challenges faced by Small Island Developing States (SIDS). The masterclass is part of I-3’s Bustling Island Communities (BIC) initiative, which champions the creative economy as a pathway to resilient infrastructure, economic diversification, and improved quality of life across the region.
For more information: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

French Quarter:--- The public is invited to celebrate the launch of SoualiKulture, the first-ever activity book about St. Martin culture! The free, festive launch event will be held at Amuseum Naturalis at The Old House in French Quarter from 9am to noon. SoualiKulture was created by the Soualiwomen Kultural Association (SKA) and the Les Fruits de Mer association. Guests attending the launch will receive a free copy of the book. The event will also feature a cultural scavenger hunt, a display of Carnival costumes, a coloring station, and refreshments for all to enjoy.

“SKA was formed to celebrate Carnival in another way, more creative and cultural. Then we opened up more to promote and share our culture and traditions,” explained Erica and Laticha Stephen, President and Vice-president of SKA. “This book brings together many parts of our culture, like our sayings and language, our food, our Ponum dance and Carnival. It presents them to the next generation through the fun of activities. It’s a new way to share the things that inspire us and make us who we are as a people.”

SoualiKulture features over 100 pages of stories, heritage photos, mazes, word games, coloring pages, creative writing and drawing activities, and more. Topics include art, music and dance, Carnival, food and fishing traditions, livestock and agriculture, and the St. Martin language. The book is bilingual in English and French. Ten members of SKA worked together with Les Fruits de Mer to develop and write the book.

“We are thrilled to help SKA launch the first activity book about St. Martin culture!” said Les Fruits de Mer president Jenn Yerkes. “This is incredibly special, and we hope it’s the first of many. St. Martin culture is very rich, and it would be wonderful to see many more books for kids like this. We also look forward to giving this book to thousands of students over the coming years. It can help pass on cultural knowledge and traditions, so they can survive and thrive into the future.”

The book launch will be held on Sunday, April 6th from 9am to noon at Amuseum Naturalis at The Old House on the hill above Coconut Grove. Free copies of the book will be given to those who attend the event. The launch is also a great chance to visit the museum and learn more about SKA. The event will feature a display of some of SKA’s traditional handmade Carnival costumes. Kids will enjoy a special cultural scavenger hunt and a coloring station. Light refreshments will also be served.

Free printed copies of SoualiKulture will be given to local schools and students as part of Les Fruits de Mer’s book program. The book is also available as a free download 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.

This book was produced with the support of the Fonds pour le développement de la vie associative (FDVA).

PHILIPSBURG:--- Member of Parliament and former Minister of Finance Ardwell Irion welcomed recent progress regarding the draft National Ordinance Basic Bank Account, essential legislation initiated during his tenure in collaboration with the Central Bank of Curaçao and Sint Maarten (CBCS).

MP Irion emphasized that despite multiple requests to continue the meeting, Parliament has significantly delayed discussions on this crucial law, negatively impacting many citizens. Parliament will formally discuss the legislation on Monday, March 31st, 2025, at 2 pm.

Research by the CBCS showed approximately 17% of Sint Maarten’s population lacks access to basic banking. High fees, limited trust in financial institutions, poor financial literacy, and unsuitable banking products significantly contribute to this financial exclusion.

The proposed legislation guarantees every Sint Maarten resident the legal right to open a basic checking account. This account differs from regular accounts as it cannot be overdrawn, is limited to transactions within Sint Maarten and Curaçao, and restricts monthly deposits to a maximum of NAf 3,000. Only individual ownership is permitted, preventing joint accounts, and holders cannot simultaneously have another payment account.

MP Irion highlighted the urgency of addressing these delays, pointing out the practical benefits citizens miss without basic banking access.

The law mandates financial institutions to simplify account applications, requiring only basic identification, contact information, and an expected transaction profile. Age, income, employment status, or credit history will not affect eligibility. Additionally, the law ensures reasonable maintenance fees that must remain lower than regular checking accounts due to limited account features.

"Parliament’s delay has unnecessarily prevented thousands from fully participating in our increasingly digital economy," MP Irion stated. "Universal access to basic banking services is critical for economic empowerment and personal dignity. This law provides a foundation we can build upon through future amendments."

"This upcoming parliamentary session is a critical step forward," MP Irion concluded. "It's time to finalize this law and ensure everyone can effectively participate in our financial system."

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Sint Maarten Police Force (KPSM) is conducting investigations into two significant traffic accidents that occurred on Saturday, March 29, 2025, resulting in serious injuries to the individuals involved.

First Incident: Amazon Road, Pointe Pirouette
At approximately 3:00 AM, officers responded to a collision on Amazon Road in the Pointe Pirouette area. Preliminary findings suggest that the operator of a quad (four-wheeler) lost control of the vehicle, resulting in a collision with a pickup truck parked along the roadside. The rider sustained a fractured wrist and severe lacerations to the head. Emergency medical personnel provided immediate on-site care before transporting the individual to the Sint Maarten Medical Center (SMMC), where he remains in serious condition.

Second Incident: Welfare Road
Later that day, around 2:30 PM, a second accident occurred on Welfare Road involving an SUV and a scooter. The driver of the SUV, traveling from the direction of the Kruithoff Roundabout, attempted a left turn into a business establishment. Concurrently, a scooter rider approaching from the opposite direction collided with the side of the SUV. The scooter operator sustained severe lacerations to the hands and legs. Paramedics administered first aid at the scene before transporting the injured party to SMMC for further medical attention.

Safety Advisory
KPSM urges all road users to exercise caution, particularly given the current traffic congestion on the island. Motorists are reminded to remain vigilant, adhere strictly to traffic regulations, and be especially mindful of vulnerable road users, including motorcyclists and pedestrians. Collective responsibility and attentiveness are essential to ensuring the safety of all individuals on our roads.

KPSM Press Release.