Under the banner “The Best for the BES,” WeConnect organized a pivotal gathering on June 18 in The Hague, bringing the challenges and opportunities of Bonaire, Saba, and St. Eustatius into sharp focus. The BES islands are grappling with significant labor shortages, while dozens of BES students and young professionals currently residing in the Netherlands represent an untapped resource—many eager to contribute to their home islands’ development. This event created a unique bridge between these communities while spotlighting emerging Caribbean talent.

Island Leaders Make Their Case

Island governors Alida Francis of St. Eustatius and Jonathan Johnson of Saba carved time from their packed Netherlands work schedule to attend this crucial dialogue. Representing Bonaire, Cabinet Secretary Rayan Rammo joined the conversation. Each leader delivered compelling presentations about opportunities on their respective islands.

Governor Francis revealed that St. Eustatius currently has 40 job vacancies and extended a warm invitation for island-born youth to return home. The island offers concrete pathways for engagement, including internship opportunities, as demonstrated by Statian student Eliscia, who is planning to complete her International Security Studies internship on her home island.

Strategic Career Development

Governor Johnson offered nuanced advice, encouraging young people to take a measured approach to their career development. “Get a good foundation wherever you may be,” he emphasized, advocating for strategic experience-building abroad before returning home.

From Bonaire came an equally important message about breaking down barriers to entry. “Don’t be discouraged by job postings asking for years of experience. Just apply, especially as someone from the islands, you bring added value,” Cabinet Secretary Rammo urged. The leaders also highlighted innovative ways for diaspora youth to contribute remotely, expanding the definition of island engagement beyond physical relocation.

Environmental Innovation Takes Center Stage

The event featured presentations from the think tank “It’s in our Nature,” which delivered comprehensive advisory reports on environmental leadership. These Caribbean students proposed actionable strategies for the BES islands to pioneer nature conservation through innovative, nature-inclusive solutions.

Their practical recommendations included implementing smarter rainwater harvesting systems, establishing local produce markets, and creating educational school gardens. Think tank member Dhaishendra identified a key opportunity: “It would be great if the many nature and community organizations worked together more, across the islands as well.”

This think tank initiative, a collaboration between WeConnect and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Nature (LVVN), brought together approximately 10 Caribbean students to tackle these pressing environmental challenges.

Generating Solutions Through Collaboration

The event’s collaborative brainstorm session yielded valuable insights on stimulating “brain gain”—the return of educated diaspora to their home communities. Participants emphasized the importance of proactive engagement: “Be proactive, think outside the box, and share your ideas—anything is possible.”

The discussion highlighted the unique value proposition of island-born youth in today’s rapidly evolving economy. “The world is changing fast. Young people bring fresh ideas and new techniques to an aging labor market,” participants noted. This message resonated with the island governors, who expressed enthusiasm about this direct engagement model with students and young professionals.

Moving Forward

The event represents a significant step toward addressing the BES islands’ labor challenges while harnessing the potential of their educated diaspora. By creating structured dialogue between island leadership and young talent, WeConnect has established a framework for ongoing collaboration that could serve as a model for other Caribbean territories facing similar challenges.

“We Connect”