Dear Editor,
I would like to honour Lilith Rogers, known simply as “Mom” to everyone. She has had a great impact on many lives of young people for many decades in St. Maarten and in particular in Middle Region.
Mom was an entrepreneur in the truest sense of the word before we even knew what that was in St. Maarten. She ran what was possibly the first established (though unofficial) daycare in St. Maarten. She minded the Wathey kids, so that’s how far reaching her services were.
As early as dawn, parents would drop their kids off by “Mom” for her to watch after them while they went off to work. Then the kids who came from school around 1:00pm would drop off at her house and wait until their parents later came from work to pick them up. It was not uncommon, however, that babies and/or children ended up uncollected by their parents, spending the night, nights, weeks or months at Mom’s house.
Though “Mom” charged peanuts for her daycare services, still to this day she is owed tens of thousands of dollars in unpaid fees. And that’s being very modest.
Most of us had our first education and higher education at Mom’s house. She was an avid reader, watched lots of interesting programmes on TV and she expected all children to excel in whatever they did.
“Mom” also was a seamstress. For decades she sewed countless school uniforms for children. Again, this was done without her collecting the dues for her work from parents.
She sewed carnival costumes, work uniforms, curtains, tablecloths and any outfit that people wanted made. Often on very short notice and hardly without full payment.
Her house is a testament to her sewing skills. Everything that is made of fabric in her house has been made by her own hands.
Lastly, “Mom” did various services: catering, ironing, cleaning services and lots of charity work at church and everywhere in the community.
And she did all this while being the caretaker of “the ol’ man” from Middle Region.
She was also the embodiment of sustainable living long before it became a rage.
“Mom” had a small plot of land at Defiance where she went at 4:00am to plant or harvest. She grew any and every provision and vegetable imaginable. In her back (and front) yard she has always had every vegetable and fruit that can be grown on the island. She raised her own chickens, goats, cows, and pigs. She always had dogs that grew so old they even outlived some people. And nothing, absolutely nothing went to waste.
Mom raised so many children but especially her daughter and her grandchildren are a testament of the education, values and wisdom she has imparted to so many.
She has always been “92” when you ask her age, but presently she is in her 80s. I do think she deserves public recognition and a medal for her outstanding influence and contribution to St. Maarten and the Middle Region community.
Let’s give her her flowers while she is still here.
Sandra Cocks
Dear Editor,
The latest Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report explains plainly that the window is rapidly closing for governments to limit global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius. To reach this goal, we must all work together and drastically reduce carbon emissions. While the Caribbean produces a minute amount of global emissions, the region is also an incubator for sustainable solutions. From agro-tourism to renewable energy and micro-mobility, countries and territories around the Caribbean are showcasing the future of low-carbon development.
Leading by example
The Caribbean can be the first global Climate-Smart Zone. Our communities already have all the knowledge, innovation and drive needed to take the region to new heights. This is highlighted best by the fact that two of the five 2021 Earthshot Prize winners were from the Caribbean! However, while the region has most of the tools at its disposal to become a sustainable development powerhouse, our potential is only limited by the amount of collaboration we engage in both domestically and internationally.
At the UN climate conference in Glasgow, COP26, last year, it was clear that there needed to be more cross-sectoral partnerships between governments, financial institutions, entrepreneurs, and academia. As Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley expressed at the time, “Many hands make light work. Today we need the correct mix of voices and ambition.” While many were underwhelmed by the results of the conference, one thing that emerged was clear, the Caribbean should not wait for international public governance to act on climate issues.
However, the private sector displayed an appetite for collaboration. Throughout COP26, private investors and financiers showed that they were ready to get more involved in climate finance and were capable of mobilizing funds and spurring action at a faster rate to help support public policies. This development saw the Caribbean once again in a position to showcase best practice, and highlight how effective private finance can meet resilience and mitigation goals.
Caribbean excellence
The Caribbean Climate-Smart Accelerator (CCSA) has supported many collaborative initiatives between private financiers and the public sector, such as our resilience scorecard or the region’s 30x30 target. In each case, the Caribbean’s knowledge and leadership is on full display. The scorecard creates opportunities for governments and communities to identify gaps in resilience and adaptation, enabling them to create an efficient development plan that can be funded by private finance. Another example, the Caribbean 30x30 target is part of a larger global push to protect 30 per cent of the Earth’s land and oceans by 2030, and has the ability to future-proof the region’s economy.
In order for programs like these to work, however, collaboration is key – the more stakeholders engage, the stronger the action, and the better the benefits. Grenadian Minister Simon Stiell and Jamaican Minister, Senator Matthew Samuda explain in an op. ed. on the 30x30, “Our collective voice is still much too subdued. To have a real impact, 30x30 requires everyone in our region to do their part. We gain more through one Caribbean battle cry. We’ve already shown the world our willingness to transition from small island nations to sustainable and resilient large ocean states.”
Concerted climate action
In a recent publication in Nature, researchers pointed to the Global South as the “unsung heroes” of climate action. “The Global North should recognize Global South countries for the strides they have taken, particularly given that the Global North’s historic and current emissions form the bulk of atmospheric GHG concentrations. Despite these challenges, Global South nations are mobilizing innovative solutions to cut emissions across all sectors,” the authors opine, “New financial instruments are being developed across the Global South to stimulate further green innovation.” The world needs to hear our voices more clearly.
It is for this reason that the CCSA has been engaged in events around the world to highlight our communities’ innovations and foster and develop collaboration opportunities with global stakeholders. We have been involved regionally in efforts to build the Caribbean’s resilience and adaptation capacity, as well as overseas to secure new funding opportunities. Recently, the region was well represented in Dubai at the Caribbean Investment Forum (CIF) and Global Business Forum (GBF), where investors were interested in learning more about the sustainable solutions being developed on our shores.
Setting the tone
From Aruba to Jamaica and St Kitts and Nevis, the entire Caribbean region is working towards creating a better future for its communities. The latest IPCC report highlights the need for more collaboration on a global scale to meet climate goals, and the Caribbean has been a shining example of stakeholder engagement and inter-sectoral partnerships – and we can improve! While we may not produce many emissions, we are certainly feeling the effects of them, but that is only emboldening our resolve to find workable sustainable solutions capable of being emulated by the global community.
Racquel Moses
Dear Editor,
With consternation and alarm we read in the press today, that Statia was in “mediation” and “negotiations” to “restore” democracy. It reminds us of a car owner negotiating to buy back his vehicle from the thieves that stole it.
The right to self-determination is inalienable which means it can never be lost, much less “restored”. What needs to happen on Statia is for the Dutch State to cease violating Statia’s jus cogens, or peremptory right to self-determination, and cease its lawless actions on Statia immediately. To all who participated in this charade we remind you of what the Dutch State said about rendering “aid and assistance” in maintaining an unlawful situation:
“In sum, the Kingdom of the Netherlands submits that, given the peremptory character of the right of self-determination, a serious breach of the right of self-determination obliges all States not to recognize the situation created as a result of that breach and not to render aid or assistance in maintaining the situation created as a result of the serious breach of that right.” (Written Statement of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, par. 4.9)
The Dutch State knows better!
In its “Written Statement of the Kingdom of the Netherlands” of February 27, 2018, the Kingdom announced to the world that:
a. The right to self-determination is a peremptory or “jus cogens” (dwingend recht) norm.
b. This includes the right of peoples to determine their own economic, social and cultural policies without any outside pressure or interference.
c. Violating the right to self-determination of a people is an internationally wrongful act entailing state responsibility of the State that committed the breach.
d. This right to self-determination is permanent, inalienable, universal and, peremptory. (dwingend recht)
e. The Dutch State is under a peremptory (dwingend recht) obligation to “respect and promote” the right to self-determination.
f. Even though a territory has integrated or associated with another state, the right to self-determination continues unabated – as does the peremptory obligation of the state with which a territory has associated or integrated to respect and promote that right.
Statia has the peremptory right to self-determination.
The Dutch State is therefore fully aware that because of this overriding or peremptory character of Statia’s right to self-determination, no Rijkswet or article in Het Statuut or Kingdom Charter can derogate or violate that right. In straightforward terms, Statia’s right to self-determination is untouchable, permanent inalienable and universal. Because it is inalienable it can never be lost, or “restored”. It can also never be the subject of any “mediation” or “negotiation”. It is non-negotiable.
The responsibility of the Dutch State:
According to the Written Statement, the Dutch State it is under the peremptory obligation to respect and promote Statia’s right to self-determination.
The Dutch State must explain its actions on Statia.
We therefore call on the Dutch state to explain how a Rijkswet can ever overrule a peremptory norm of international law.
The charade must stop.
We therefore call on the Dutch state to stop these sham “negotiations” and “mediations.” It is unacceptable that a modern, enlightened and progressive State that lauds the Rule of Law should engage in such unlawful behavior.
The gig is up.
We hope that the Dutch State realizes that we are fully aware of our rights under international law. This knowledge means that Dutch hegemony has ended. The Kingdom will be changed. For the better.
Pro Soualiga Foundation
Dear Editor,
I say to the prime minister, you have failed. NA cannot prove themselves to be better than former prime minister Leona Marlin-Romeo’s cabinet.
The next government might have a male prime minister or a male president of Parliament – maybe a new governor too.
Surveys show the prime minister not doing enough to pay the 12.5 per cent to civil servants as soon as possible.
Thanks to PFP keeping the public informed as well as Christophe, Brison and Sarah.
Nowhere in a British territory is a state secretary coming and not meeting the public. It is time both parliamentarians and the government of St. Maarten stop representing and represent the people.
St. Maarten needs district representatives to keep people informed 24/7. The people are suffering; no one is inviting the human rights organisations to St. Maarten. Why?
Cuthbert Bannis
Next June, the 9th Summit of the Americas (the Summit), will take place in Los Angeles bringing together leaders and stakeholders from the countries of North, South, Central America, and the Caribbean promoting cooperation, and inclusive economic growth based on shared democratic values. But we won’t be represented.
Unfortunately, we barely pay attention to or make an effort to join such regional or hemisphere-wide gatherings. Our myopic decision-makers are simply too consumed with The Hague.
In an earlier article, I mentioned some topics worth discussing with the U.S. and the region: climate change, pandemics, corresponding banks, and commerce. It’s timely, since the U.S. intends to give its allies in Latin America, and the Caribbean more attention. And it’s expanding the U.S. Consulate (activities) in Curaçao. Disengaging allies has empowered China in our hemisphere and the U.S. knows it.
This is not the first time I’ve suggested being more engaged with our region. I recently approached a Senior Associate at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) to find out whether Curaçao is excluded from participation in the Summit because of its constitutional status. He told me that whilst generally only full members of the Organization of American States (OAS) can participate in the Summit, non-independent states (like us) do have some level of participation through a relationship with an OAS observer country, in this case, the Netherlands. This doesn’t mean a seat at the Summit table but can provide some level of presence.
A second option is through the parallel civil society, and private sector (NGO) tracks that make up the Summit universe of activities. It may be too late this time around, but Government and NGOs should follow up with the U.S. Consulate General and The Hague to look into possibilities to link up with these alternative participation methods. If not today, next time. The point is that we can’t afford to sit idly by when it comes to our region.
Alex Rosaria
Curaçao
