标签： Suriname

In a groundbreaking achievement, Zaviska Lamsberg has been elected as Vice President of Junior Chamber International (JCI) during the JCI World Congress in Tunis, Tunisia. This historic appointment marks her as the first Surinamese woman to hold such a prestigious international leadership role within the global youth organization. At 32 years old, Lamsberg, hailing from Paramaribo, will assume her position in 2026, joining one of JCI’s highest governing bodies. Her election is celebrated as a significant milestone for gender equality and Surinamese leadership on the global stage. Currently serving as the National President of JCI Suriname, Lamsberg has distinguished herself through her strategic vision and unifying leadership. Under her guidance, JCI Suriname successfully hosted an international conference praised for its professional execution and warm Surinamese hospitality. With a background in Law and Social Development and professional experience in Human Resources at a multinational gold mining company, Lamsberg combines academic depth with practical leadership experience. She began her JCI journey in 2017 with JCI Unify, rose to Local President in 2023, and became National President in 2025. Following her election, Lamsberg emphasized that her victory extends beyond personal achievement. ‘This is not just a personal win but a victory for every young woman in Suriname and the Caribbean,’ she stated. ‘My journey proves that when young people are given opportunities to grow, they can achieve extraordinary things.’ She highlighted collaboration as the cornerstone of her leadership philosophy, stating, ‘Our mission to empower young people to create positive change can only succeed through collaboration. Governments, businesses, and communities must provide young people with the space, trust, and resources to develop into the change-makers our world needs.’ JCI is a global organization of active young citizens aged 18 to 40, operating in over 100 countries. It offers leadership and development opportunities for young individuals to make a positive impact in their communities and beyond.

Suriname’s Minister of Transport, Communication, and Tourism (TCT), Raymond Landveld, recently held a constructive meeting with the Suriname Air Traffic Controllers Association (SACTA) to address pressing issues within the air traffic control sector. Key topics included the high workload, staffing shortages, and the urgent need for modernization of equipment and systems. SACTA highlighted that the current workforce consists of only 25 fully qualified air traffic controllers, all of whom are actively engaged in the duty roster. The association raised concerns about the frequent use of Single Person Operations, where one controller manages a shift alone, a practice that deviates from international safety standards. Additionally, SACTA emphasized overdue overtime payments and reiterated its call for a 100% salary increase to prevent staff attrition and attract new talent. Minister Landveld acknowledged these challenges, assuring that overtime payments are a priority and that all requests are processed promptly. He also revealed that $25 million from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) aviation program has been allocated to strengthen the aviation sector, with $5 million earmarked for equipment modernization and system digitization. The selection process for the new Project Execution Unit is already underway. The meeting also addressed the vulnerable communication network of the air traffic control system. TCT’s General Director, Faridy Lila, confirmed that the request for a dedicated network is being seriously considered within existing telecom regulations, with Telesur bundles serving as a temporary solution. Verno Prijor, Acting Director of Transport, announced that funding for the training of assistant air traffic controllers has been approved, allowing the program to proceed. Minister Landveld further committed to examining salary disparities between air traffic controllers and support staff, emphasizing equal treatment within the same service. He stated that the request for salary increases and incentive payments will be included in a broader organizational and financial feasibility study. SACTA is also invited to submit a proposal for an adjusted duty roster for trainees.

In a significant development in the criminal case involving Ginmardo Kromosoeto, Gardelito Hew-A-Kee, and Robert Putter, the court has allowed additional time for legal rebuttals. Following a 200-page defense plea by attorney Nailah van Dijk, the presiding judge, Ishwardat Sonai, granted the public prosecutor, Roline Gravenbeek, the opportunity to supplement her response. The judge also extended the chance for two absent attorneys, Murwin Dubois and Benito Pick, to present their arguments. The case is set to resume on November 20. Van Dijk argued that the Public Prosecutor’s Office failed to provide substantial evidence linking her clients to participation in a criminal organization. She also contested the late addition of charges to the case file, stating that some allegations were introduced two years after the initial summons, violating both international treaties and local laws. Among the added charges were money laundering and involvement in a criminal organization. Van Dijk further demanded the exclusion of evidence against Putter, citing that he was interrogated as a witness, not a suspect, in 2021. She emphasized that the interrogation should not be used against him if he were later deemed a suspect. Additionally, Van Dijk disputed the classification of Kromosoeto as a public official and provided a detailed analysis of two companies allegedly linked to the Surinamese Post Savings Bank.