GREAT BAY--The Governor of St. Maarten, His Excellency Ajamu G. Baly, has announced that the Governor's Symposium 2026, originally scheduled for September 25, will now take place on Tuesday, December 8, 2026, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., with a focus on youth development and the shared responsibility of preparing young people for the future.
The symposium will be held under the theme "Youth Development: Building Our Future, Building Our Youth" and will bring together local and international speakers to examine the opportunities, challenges and support systems that influence the lives of young people in St. Maarten.
Discussions will address several interconnected areas, including identity and belonging, education and future readiness, mental health and emotional well-being, technology and social media, vocational development, sports, arts, youth safety and civic participation.
The symposium will also explore how young people can become more actively involved in shaping the country's development and how families, schools, community organizations and policymakers can contribute to creating an environment in which youth can thrive.
In preparation for the event, the Organizing Committee has undertaken community and district outreach activities to gather perspectives from young people and other members of society. These engagements are intended to ensure that the discussions reflect the experiences and concerns of youth across St. Maarten.
Among the activities leading up to the symposium is the "My Image My World" poetry and spoken word initiative, which invites young people to reflect on their identities, how they perceive themselves and their relationships with others. The deadline for submissions is November 20, 2026.
A three-episode podcast series titled "Our Youth: How Are We Developing Them, and How Are They Developing" will also launch on November 10.
The series will feature conversations with young people, youth workers and influencers about social media, friendships, belonging, mental well-being, participation and opportunities available to youth in St. Maarten. The episodes will be released in the lead-up to the December 8 symposium.
The Governor's Symposium aims to encourage meaningful discussions about youth development while highlighting the importance of creating opportunities for young people to realize their potential and contribute to the country's future.
Attendance and Public Participation
Due to limited seating, attendance at the symposium will be by invitation only. However, Governor Baly is inviting interested members of the public to submit requests to attend.
Requests can be submitted by email tokabinet@kabgsxm.comor through the Governor's official Facebook page. The deadline is November 20, 2026.
Based on the information submitted, 30 individuals will be selected and invited to attend.
Members of the public who are unable to attend in person will be able to follow the proceedings through a livestream on the Governor's Facebook page, beginning at 8:30 a.m. on December 8.
Governor Baly expressed his appreciation to the partners, stakeholders, speakers and members of the public for their patience, understanding and continued support following the postponement of the event.
Additional details concerning the symposium's program and participation will be announced as preparations continue.
