HARBOUR VIEW, PHILIPSBURG — His Excellency the Governor of Sint Maarten, Ajamu Baly wishes to inform the public that the Governor’s Symposium 2026 under the theme “Youth Development”, originally scheduled to take place on Friday September 25, 2026, has been postponed.
The Symposium is intended to explore topics that directly affect youth, including identity and belonging, education and future readiness, mental health and emotional well-being, technology and social media, sports and recreation, youth safety, civic participation, and opportunities for youth to contribute to Sint Maarten.
To ensure the successful delivery of the symposium and to provide the best possible experience for all participants, the decision was made to reschedule the event to a later date. Governor Baly remains fully committed to hosting a meaningful and impactful Symposium that fosters constructive dialogue and community engagement.
In this regard, and as part of the lead-up to the 2026 Symposium, H.E. Governor Baly invites young persons to participate in a poetry or spoken word-initiative entitled “My Image, My World”. Interested youth are encouraged to submit an original poem or spoken word piece, exploring identity, friendship, belonging, social media, technology, and the experience of growing up in Sint Maarten. Submissions may explore questions such as:
- Who am I beyond social media?
- What does friendship mean to me?
- If social media disappeared tomorrow, what would change?
- Am I creating my image or following someone else’s?
- Am I connected or alone?
The initiative launches today, with submissions closing on October 23, 2026. Selected pieces will be showcased at the Governor’s Symposium and may also be shared through media partners. Further details regarding the initiative and submission process will be released in the coming days.
The Governor’s Symposium is an annual event hosted to promote dialogue, innovation, and collaboration on issues critical to the country’s development. It serves as a platform for invited stakeholders, government, civil society, and the private sector to focus attention on, raise awareness of, and generate discourse on issues affecting the Sint Maarten community.
His Excellency Governor Ajamu Baly extends his appreciation to all partners, stakeholders, schools, youth organizations, and members of the public for their understanding, flexibility and continued support. A new date for the symposium will be announced in due course. Individuals who have already expressed interest in attending will be notified once the revised schedule has been confirmed.
Governor Baly apologizes for any inconvenience this postponement may cause and looks forward to welcoming participants to the rescheduled event.
