The University of St. Martin, together with the Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport and the St. Maarten Anti-Poverty Platform, are exploring the possibility of carrying out research that will benefit the rights of children and youth on the island.
“Diverse groups such as trade unions and communities of faith will play an essential role in such research”, said USM President Antonio Carmona, who is hopeful in leading a programme that would look into issues of poverty, violence, sexual abuse and the socio-economic conditions of families.
“Social Action Research, used by sociologists whereby focus groups horizontally identify the problems and needs of a community, is one of the principal methods that will ensure a solid multisectorial participation of civil society groups in their quest for solutions that will secure the rights of children”, said Dr. Carmona.
On Friday, 18 February, the Sint Maarten Anti-Poverty Platform (SMAPP), a coalition of trade unions, community leaders and social activists, welcomed former UNICEF Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean Mr. Nils Kastberg, who voluntarily came to Philipsburg from Sweden to meet with USM faculty and local trade representatives. Kastberg, who is no stranger to the island, has a long history of working with churches and government in Sint Maarten, and is willing to serve as a consultant. On Saturday, he talked with representatives of the St. Martin Council of Churches and the St. Martin United Ministerial Foundation, which have agreed to support this research initiative.
A man of faith, Nils Kastberg exhorted local churches to consider that social action, like human rights activism, provides the space for Christians to practice the teachings of Jesus Christ by loving their neighbour. “The gospel very clearly takes a stand on justice, we are called to take action for our children and youth.”
Mr. Raymund Jessurun, who together with Mrs. Claire Elshot co-coordinates SMAPP, announced that a MOU between the Platform and USM is currently under review. USM would like to contribute to the community by establishing a poverty line on St. Martin and for the rest of the Kingdom. “For that, we need access to statistics. By working together with the university and government, we can expose the reality our children face and from there work on improving living conditions.”
Dr. Carmona stated that “previous studies on the socio-economic condition of children and youth were conducted by UNICEF Nederland. However, only half of the island was considered, while we know that St. Martin is one island and everyone has family on both sides.” Other surveys have been conducted by USM in collaboration with University ofthe Virgin Islands and the Collectivité of the northern side of the island. Through established networks, USM and SMAPP hope to receive support from the regional office of UNICEF and government. “Research guidelines need to be developed regionally and St. Martiners need to conduct their own research. UNICEF Nederland, if responsible, can support such an initiative if its genuinely interested in serving the Caribbean part of the Kingdom,” Carmona concluded.
On Monday and Tuesday Mr. Nils Kastberg, USM and SMAPP will hold talks with local teacher union WITU and again with Minister Wycliff Smith and the Ministry’s Secretary General Shermina Powell-Richardson.