French Quarter, St. Martin:--- The public is invited to celebrate the launch of the new bilingual English-Dutch edition of Animals Around Me/Dieren om mij heen. The book is a coloring book and nature journal featuring 41 animals that live on St. Martin. Originally published in a bilingual English-French edition, the translation and publication of the new English-Dutch edition was funded by Rotary Club of St. Maarten. Guests attending the launch will receive a free copy of the book.

“When we began giving books on the Dutch side of the island, teachers told us that the Dutch language is their hardest subject to teach,” explained Les Fruits de Mer President Jenn Yerkes. “Dutch isn’t spoken much here, but knowing Dutch is key to many careers and educational opportunities. With the support of the Rotary Club of St. Maarten, we were able to create a tool that can teach about local wildlife and also help build Dutch language skills.”

The Rotary Club of St. Maarten funded the translation and initial printing of the new edition of Animals Around Me/Dieren om mij heen. The project was a unique example of transboundary cooperation between organizations on each side of the island. This new edition will be printed and distributed to primary school students on St. Maarten for years to come. The Les Fruits de Mer association hopes to develop English-Dutch editions of many other books in the coming years.

“We are delighted to support local education,” said Rotary Club of St. Maarten President Adelena Chandler. “We are excited to support the students on our island and help them learn about the unique nature of the island. We also want to help our students gain language skills that will give them the broadest opportunities in education and careers.”

The book launch will be held on Saturday, November 29th 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. There will be a coloring station where kids can start enjoying the book right away. Light refreshments will be served.

Free printed copies of Animals Around Me/Dieren om mij heen 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 future English-Dutch editions of books about St. Martin nature and heritage are encouraged to contact Les Fruits de Mer.

This book was produced with the generous support of Rotary Club of St. Maarten.

PHILIPSBURG:---  – The Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth and Sports (Ministry MECYS) in collaboration with DUO has organized an information evening for Tuesday, November 25, for those interested in studying in the Netherlands.

This is a reminder for those who are interested in attending the information session to come to the Government Administration Building meeting room (ground floor) at 7:00 PM.

This information session is for students who are interested in pursuing higher education.

For more information you can visit: duo.nl/bezoekcariben

Port-of-Spain, Trinidad and Tobago:---  Republic Financial Holdings Limited (RFHL) has released its first Sustainability Report, marking a major milestone in its journey to embed sustainability across all Group operations in adapting to the accelerating impacts of climate and social change. The publication consolidates years of progress and reaffirms RFHL’s commitment to delivering long-term value for its customers, employees, and the communities across its entire footprint.
Group President and CEO, Nigel Baptiste, highlighted the urgency of the challenge, stating, “RFHL recognises that true leadership goes beyond the provision of sound financial services. Climate disruption, social inequality, and shifting stakeholder expectations demand purposeful and accountable action. In the Caribbean, the financial burden of climate impacts exacerbates challenges such as food security, healthcare access, economic diversification, supply chain disruptions, and migration. These realities help shape our strategy and reinforce our commitment to long-term resilience.”
The Report shows RFHL actively embedding sustainability into its daily operations through strengthened systems, policies, and culture. It highlights concrete progress from delivering climate-aligned financial solutions and progressing towards the USD 200 million Climate Finance Target to advancing SDG-driven community programmes and employee-led initiatives demonstrating the Group’s expanding role in sustainable finance and regional resilience.
Group Vice President, Richard Sammy, contextualised RFHL’s efforts within global sustainable finance trends: “In just two years, global sustainable finance has surged, reaching USD 8.2 trillion in 2024, a 17% increase from 2023. When Hurricane Melissa struck Jamaica, two innovative disaster-financing mechanisms were triggered: a USD 150 million World Bank catastrophe bond and a USD 70.8 million payout from the Caribbean Catastrophe Risk Insurance Facility (CCRIF). While not sufficient for full recovery, these instruments demonstrate how layered financing can transform climate risk into swift response and long-term resilience, highlighting the evolving landscape of climate adaptation.”
The Report highlights the growing influence of sustainability across the Group, RFHL’s alignment with leading reporting frameworks, including the UNEP FI principles, and its active participation in regional and international sustainability forums. Key milestones such as the inaugural 2024 RFHL Sustainability Expo and the Group’s contribution to the COP 30 Baku to Belém Roadmap to 1.3T are also showcased.
Beyond outlining achievements, the Report shows how sustainability is beginning to shape RFHL’s operations, from early shifts in risk culture and data governance to the foundational work in product design and customer service, while the Group continues to build the internal capacity needed to advance its longer-term climate and social objectives.
RFHL invites the public, partners, and regional stakeholders to explore and share the full Report and engage with the Group as it continues to drive a resilient, sustainable Caribbean.
Read the full Report here: rfhl.com/sr2025/

Willemstad:--- A group of students from The Hague University of Applied Sciences (HSS) visited the Social and Economic Council (SER) of Curaçao on Monday as part of their ‘Kingdom Relations’ minor. During the visit, the students received an overview of how the advisory body informs government and parliamentary decision-making on socioeconomic issues.
Council staff explained the legal foundation of the SER, the process through which its recommendations are drafted and reviewed, and the institution’s place within Curaçao’s constitutional system. The visit offered the students a rare glimpse into the mechanics of policy formation in a small island jurisdiction.
Interest from The Hague University has grown steadily in recent years, with students frequently completing internships at the council. According to officials familiar with the exchange, the continued collaboration helps strengthen understanding between the Caribbean and European parts of the Kingdom.