The Dutch Senate has postponed its vote on the Kingdom Relations and BES (Bonaire, St. Eustatius and Saba) Fund budget by another week, opting against fast-tracking the proposal. The vote is now expected to take place next week. State Secretary for Kingdom Relations Zsolt Szabo of the far-right Party for …
Read More »Advancement in interlibrary cooperation between Saba, Statia and St. Maarten
The St. Maarten Library hosted representatives from Saba’s Queen Wilhelmina Library and St. Eustatius’ Gertrude Judson Bicentennial Public Library for a working visit from March 10 to 14. Sponsored by the National Library of the Netherlands, this initiative aimed to foster collaboration, resource-sharing, and digital integration among the island libraries. …
Read More »ZJCN launches campaign against domestic violence and child abuse
In recent weeks, Care & Youth Caribbean Netherlands (ZJCN) launched a powerful new campaign, Safe Together, Strong Together, aimed at combating domestic violence and child abuse across the region. The campaign is designed to empower professionals—including social workers, teachers, and healthcare providers—to effectively implement the new Protection Code, which came into …
Read More »“Handmade on Saba” celebrates Second Anniversary
Handmade on Saba, the retail outlet for the Creative Hands Saba Foundation, proudly celebrated its second anniversary this week on Breadline Plaza in Windwardside. The event brought together local artists, supporters, and community members to honor the shop’s role in promoting and sustaining Saba’s vibrant artistic community. President Anna Keene …
Read More »Total Lunar Eclipse Visible Friday morning
Tonight, skywatchers in the Caribbean Netherlands will witness a spectacular total lunar eclipse. This phenomenon occurs when the Moon passes fully into Earth’s shadow, taking on a striking reddish hue. The eclipse begins at 01:09 AM with a partial phase, gradually darkening the Moon. By 02:25 AM, the Moon will …
Read More »Talent Development Programme Caribbean Netherlands kicks off
The Talent Development Programme Caribbean Netherlands (TOP CN) has officially launched. TOP CN is a one-year work and training programme especially for recently graduated professionals with roots on Bonaire, St. Eustatius, or Saba. Trainees who participate in TOP CN will work at a government organisation like the Public Entity or …
Read More »Dutch more positive about islands than often assumed
Dr. Wouter Veenendaal, Professor of Kingdom Relations and Associate Professor of Comparative Political Science at Leiden University, delivered his inaugural lecture on Monday. Sitting in the centre of the bench on the left is Professor Francio Guadeloupe, President of the University of St. Martin in Philipsburg. The Dutch public has a …
Read More »Dutch government unveils vision for economic growth on 6 islands
The Dutch government has presented its vision for economic development in the Caribbean part of the Kingdom. In plans submitted to the House of Representatives by State Secretary Zsolt Szabo (Digitisation and Kingdom Relations) on behalf of Minister Dirk Beljaarts (Economic Affairs), key conditions are outlined to strengthen the economies …
Read More »KMAR officer Vernisha Robinson welcomed back to Saba
On March 9th, Saba welcomed back Vernisha Robinson, a recent graduate of the Royal Netherlands Marechaussee (KMar) training. Upon her arrival, Robinson was met with many cheers of celebration from family and friends and was presented with a bouquet by Island Governor Jonathan Johnson and Acting Island Governor Shamara Nicholson. …
Read More »Infrastructure Funding Challenges in Caribbean Netherlands
The Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations sought insight into the financial challenges of maintaining and upgrading physical infrastructure in the Caribbean Netherlands (Bonaire, St. Eustatius, and Saba). Many infrastructure assets are in poor condition, and the current funding system does not provide adequate financial support for maintenance and …
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