The Hague, Wednesday, 18 June 2025
On Wednesday, June 18, Island Governor Jonathan Johnson of Saba participated in the annual Stichting WeConnect seminar held in The Hague. The event brought together Dutch Caribbean students pursuing higher education in the Netherlands for an afternoon of dialogue, inspiration, and connection. He was joined by Island Governor Alida Francis of St. Eustatius and Rayan Rammo, Cabinet Chief of Bonaire.
Stichting WeConnect, a platform committed to educating youth, connecting cultures, and developing talent across the Kingdom, hosted the gathering under the theme “Best for the BES.” Founder and organizer Tanya Fraai opened the session with welcoming remarks, emphasizing the continued importance of supporting Caribbean students and building bridges back to the islands.
Island Governor Johnson shared his perspective on career mobility within the Saba government, noting that the public sector is actively working to prevent professional stagnation by allowing staff to take on different roles and expand their skills. Reflecting on his journey, Governor Johnson encouraged students to build a solid foundation before returning to contribute to the island. “It’s important to gain knowledge and experience,” he said. “When you do return, you’ll be bringing back not just a degree, but tools and insight to effect real change.”
Students from Saba, St. Eustatius, Bonaire, and Aruba engaged in meaningful conversations about their academic paths, career goals, and the critical decision of whether to return home to contribute to their island communities or remain abroad for broader opportunities.
Tanja Fraai, Manager of Stichting WeConnect, commented, "As WeConnect foundation, we are happy to bring together students from the BES islands. Since they have no formal representation in the Netherlands, it's important for them to be visibly connected to a community and their home islands. Meeting the governors was a highlight for them; making them seen, their questions, and their wish to contribute to the islands heard.
A key highlight of the seminar was the completion of the 10-month do-tank project, led by Thyra Balborda “It’s in our nature!”, where a group of Caribbean students, dubbed "do-anchors" explored nature-inclusive development ideas for their home islands. This initiative, a collaboration between Stichting WeConnect and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Nature, aimed to connect policy with practical action. Stichting WeConnect facilitated a network of Caribbean students and young professionals, while LVVN helped shape the project’s direction, born out of a conversation on mutual exchange and support. Working closely with local communities, the public entities of Bonaire and Saba, and the director of STENAPA from St. Eustatius, the students developed a deeper understanding of regional contexts and challenges. Their practical recommendations, compiled in a set of advice briefs, ranged from developing school gardens and implementing rainwater harvesting systems to organizing culinary events like “Eat invasive, save native” and promoting inter-island exchanges on sustainability practices. These were formally presented to the Ministry and reflect a shared sentiment among the students: that care for nature is deeply rooted in Caribbean identity. The project title and slogan were fittingly “borrowed,” with permission, from the Tourism Board of Bonaire, the idea that love for nature truly lives within all Caribbean people, especially those who have chosen to study and work in conservation. This marks the second do-tank initiative led by WeConnect, and the network formed through it will continue to be supported through shared opportunities, events, and ideas. Two student work groups were formed during the seminar further to explore actionable ideas around sustainable development and youth engagement. One group focused on social innovation and talent return, while the other explored nature-based community projects. The aim was to brainstorm and refine ideas that can be implemented locally and collaboratively with The Public Entities.
Thyra Balborda noted “It was a wonderful experience to come together with and for this often underrepresented community within the Dutch Caribbean Islands. I hope this sets the tone for future events where we hope to see many more students from Saba and Statia joining the conversation.”
Saban students Zakiya Lake and Nakita Johnson delivered compelling contributions.
Nakita said, “Stichting WeConnect is a great place to connect and network. It’s a nice way to support one another and get to know more islanders. You also get to learn about student projects you might want to join or support.”
Zakiya Stated, "This project was more than just another conservation initiative. It's an initiative that gives islanders ownership of their island's resources and who and where they go to. It's a step toward being self-sufficient. By combining modern technology and local knowledge, the island ecosystems and economy can become more sustainable and resilient. Allowing these ecosystems to still be present for generations to come.
“I’m so thankful I was given the opportunity to take the first step in a new direction. I've made relationships that I will forever cherish, and I hope that our advice will be used to address the ecological issues present on the islands and encourage and empower young people, especially to take the time to get to know their island intimately and to be vocal on what the island needs to grow.”
I hope that through the process, the islands and their people can work more together and support each other on the challenges they face individually and as a collective." "As the event concluded, Governor Johnson and his colleagues reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining open lines of communication with students abroad and continuing to create growth opportunities. The seminar served not only as a meeting ground but as a steppingstone for future collaboration and reinvestment in the Caribbean’s most vital resource, its people.
