PHILIPSBURG:--- Here at the Sint Maarten Library, we are kicking off the countdown to Freedom and Emancipation Day with an inspiring cultural celebration for the island’s youth. On Saturday, June 20, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., the library will host a special Saturday Story Time event featuring acclaimed local author Joselyne Arnell. Young readers are invited to the library’s Philipsburg location, upstairs in the Adolphus Richardson Building, for an unforgettable morning of literature and history.

During this special event, Arnell will bring her wonderful new book, New Moon for Quashiba, to life through a vibrant live reading. Tailored specifically for children ages 6 to 12, the interactive session offers a unique opportunity for local youth to engage directly with the author, connect with their heritage, and foster a lifelong love of reading.

The Sint Maarten Library encourages parents and guardians to arrive early, as space for this memorable experience is limited. For more details, community members can view the official event flyer through local school communication channels or visit the library directly.

Bring your children to celebrate culture, community, and the power of storytelling this Saturday.

PHILIPSBURG:--- Prime Minister Dr. Luc F.E. Mercelina, in his capacity as Acting Minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labor (VSA), has reaffirmed the Government's unwavering commitment to integrity, transparency, professionalism, and the protection of civil servants throughout the public service.

Following recent public statements by Member of Parliament Francisco Lacroes regarding whistleblower protections, safeguards for civil servants, and the ability of public officials to raise concerns without fear of retaliation, Prime Minister Dr. Luc F.E. Mercelina, in his capacity as Acting Minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labor (VSA), requested a factual review from the Ministry VSA to determine whether any formal complaints, reports, or documented concerns had been submitted through the appropriate administrative channels.
In response to the Prime Minister's official request, the Ministry of VSA is unaware of any formal reports, complaints, or official notifications from staff members concerning hierarchical intimidation, harassment, retaliation, or related matters within the Ministry. Furthermore, no formal complaints, reports, or documented concerns were identified concerning the Prime Minister in relation to the matters raised publicly.
Prime Minister Mercelina emphasized that every concern raised by members of the public, civil servants, or elected officials deserves to be taken seriously and reviewed objectively. At the same time, he noted that good governance requires that concerns be assessed based on facts, evidence, and established procedures.

"Integrity is not demonstrated through assumptions or speculation. It is demonstrated through transparency, accountability, due process, and a willingness to verify the facts," stated Prime Minister Mercelina. "When questions were raised publicly, I believed it was important to seek a factual assessment through the appropriate administrative channels rather than rely on perceptions or public commentary."

The Prime Minister stressed that civil servants are the backbone of Government and must always be able to perform their duties professionally, provide objective advice, and raise concerns through established mechanisms without fear.

"Our public servants have a responsibility to serve the people of Sint Maarten with professionalism and integrity, and the Government has an equal responsibility to ensure that they are able to carry out those duties within a respectful and professional working environment," he said.

Prime Minister Mercelina further noted that the Government has administrative structures, policies, and procedures in place to address workplace concerns and personnel matters through the appropriate channels. These mechanisms exist to ensure that concerns can be raised responsibly and addressed fairly, confidentially, and in accordance with applicable regulations and principles of good governance.

"The protection of public servants and the integrity of our institutions are not mutually exclusive. They go hand in hand. Any legitimate concern brought forward through the appropriate channels deserves proper consideration, and any matter requiring review should be handled fairly, professionally, and without prejudice," the Prime Minister added.

The Prime Minister reiterated that neither he nor his Government will tolerate intimidation, retaliation, or any action that undermines the professionalism of the public service. Equally, he emphasized the importance of ensuring that public statements regarding Government operations are grounded in verifiable facts.

"As Acting Minister of VSA, I remain fully committed to fostering a culture of openness, accountability, professionalism, and mutual respect. The people of Sint Maarten deserve a Government that is guided by facts, fairness, and integrity, and that is precisely what this administration will continue to uphold."

To further ensure transparency and keep the legislative branch duly informed, the Prime Minister confirmed that a formal notification by letter outlining the findings of the review will also be submitted to the Parliament of Sint Maarten for the information of the Members of Parliament.

Prime Minister Mercelina concluded by reaffirming that should any formal complaints, reports, or documented concerns arise in the future, they will be addressed promptly, professionally, and in accordance with the principles of good governance and the established procedures of Government.

~198 Students Take Their First Notes onto the Public Stage~

PHILIPSBURG:---  The National Institute of Arts (NIA) is proud to invite the general public to the official launch of the Leerorkest Sint Maarten, a landmark program bringing orchestral music education into the heart of primary school life on St. Maarten. The debut event will be held at the L.B. Scott Sports Auditorium on Saturday, June 20, and begins at 5:00 pm sharp. Admission is completely free and open to all members of the public.

The event will feature students from three participating primary schools — St. Joseph Primary School, Sr. Regina Primary School, and the Methodist Agogic Center (MAC) at the Reverend John A. Adams Campus — as Groups 5 and 6 perform their very first public musical. For 198 young musicians, this evening marks the beginning of a transformative cultural journey. They will be accompanied by the NIA String Chamber -and Youth Orchestra. A special treat is to be working alongside of international renowned Maestro Juan Cristobal Palacios for this event with assistance of Mr. Neville James and Dennis Amajan and the other Leerorkest teachers, Jose Pacheco, Leroy Vlaun, Roelof Matthew, Gregory Kranenburg, Stephan Apianai and Steven Brown.

A Program Built on Access and Equity
Launched in January 2026 with support from Fonds Cultuurparticipatie (FCP) and Leerorkest NL, the Leerorkest St. Maarten pilot program was created specifically to reach children from families where cultural participation is not a given. Private instrument lessons are often financially out of reach for many families on the island. The Leerorkest removes that barrier entirely: participation is free, takes place during school hours, and is open to every child in the participating classes. The students develop musical skills, collaborative discipline, and a sense of artistic identity within a structured, curriculum-aligned program.

A Long-Term Vision for Culture on St. Maarten
The Leerorkest is not a one-time event. It is a structural investment in an equitable cultural future for all children on St. Maarten — running from January 2026 through June 2027. NIA's broader mission encompasses dance education, arts for social-emotional learning, and after-school cultural programming, all working toward the same goal: ensuring that arts and culture are accessible to every child, regardless of background or financial circumstance.
NIA would like to acknowledge the Republic Bank. 'The Concert' is made possible through the generosity of Republic Bank St. Maarten N.V. as part of its Power to Make a Difference Programme.

ORANJESTAD, ARUBA:--- At the 3rd International Ombudsman Conference in Rome, held from May 26^th to 29th, 2026, Ombudsman institutions, human rights experts, and representatives of public entities from around the world gathered to address how societies are responding to rapid social, technological, and democratic change.

The conference focused on the impact of digitalization and artificial intelligence (AI) on citizens’ daily lives, the protection of fundamental rights, and the safeguarding of accessible, transparent, and people-centered public services.

“The world is changing rapidly, but fundamental rights, human dignity, and accessibility must never come under pressure. That is why international cooperation is more important than ever,” states the Ombudsman of Aruba, Ms. Jurima Bryson, LL.M.

For Aruba, participation in the conference marked a significant international step. The conference provided an opportunity to actively position Aruba within the global Ombudsman network and to build enduring relationships with institutions from Europe, Africa, Asia, and North, Central, and South America.

In addition, relations within the Caribbean & Latin America Region were further strengthened, with a focus on intensifying cooperation, knowledge exchange, and institutional development.

Particular attention was also given to the role of youth in democratic processes, social participation, and the protection of rights.

A key outcome of the conference was the adoption of the Rome Declaration 2026, in which Ombudsman institutions worldwide reaffirmed their commitment to fundamental rights, institutional independence, and people-centered public services in an increasingly digital society. The Ombudsman of Aruba also signed this declaration.

Participation in the International Ombudsman Conference reinforces Aruba’s growing commitment to international cooperation, good governance, and institutional strengthening.

Stay informed about the latest developments

The Bureau of Ombudsman Aruba keeps the community informed through the following communication channels:

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