Governor’s Symposium 2026 postponed, youth poetry and spoken word initiative launched

HARBOUR VIEW--Governor of St. Maarten Ajamu Baly has announced the postponement of the Governor’s Symposium 2026, which was originally scheduled for Friday, September 25, under the theme “Youth Development.” A new date for the annual event will be announced at a later stage.

The symposium is intended to bring greater attention to issues directly affecting young people in St. Maarten, including identity and belonging, education and preparation for the future, mental health and emotional well-being, technology and social media, sports and recreation, youth safety, civic participation and opportunities for young people to contribute to the country.

According to the Cabinet of the Governor, the decision to reschedule the symposium was taken to ensure that the event can be successfully delivered and provide the best possible experience for participants. Governor Baly remains committed to hosting a symposium that encourages constructive discussion and meaningful community engagement around youth development.

“My Image, My World” initiative launched

While the symposium has been postponed, Governor Baly is moving ahead with a youth initiative that will form part of the lead-up to the rescheduled event.

Young people are being invited to participate in a poetry and spoken word initiative titled “My Image, My World.” Participants are encouraged to submit original work examining subjects such as identity, friendship, belonging, social media, technology and what it means to grow up in St. Maarten.

The initiative encourages young people to reflect on questions including who they are beyond social media, what friendship means to them, how their lives might change without social media, whether they are creating their own image or following others, and whether being digitally connected necessarily means feeling connected to other people.

Submissions are open through October 23, 2026. Selected poetry and spoken word pieces will be featured during the Governor’s Symposium and may also be shared through media partners. Additional information about the submission process is expected to be released in the coming days.

Focus on dialogue and collaboration

The Governor’s Symposium is held annually as a platform for discussion, innovation and collaboration on issues considered important to St. Maarten’s development. It brings together stakeholders from government, civil society and the private sector to raise awareness and encourage discussion on matters affecting the community.

Governor Baly thanked partners, stakeholders, schools, youth organizations and members of the public for their understanding and continued support following the postponement.

Persons who had already expressed interest in attending the symposium will be notified once the new schedule has been finalized. The Governor also apologized for any inconvenience caused by the postponement and said he looks forward to welcoming participants to the rescheduled event.