标签： Suriname

In a significant development for Suriname’s public transportation sector, President Jennifer Simons has brokered a comprehensive agreement with the Private Bus Owners Organization (PLO) following high-stakes negotiations at the Cabinet of the President on Wednesday. The breakthrough talks yielded concrete solutions addressing long-standing financial and operational challenges that have plagued the nation’s transport system.

The discussions, characterized by both parties as open and constructive, resulted in two major commitments: the immediate disbursement of long-overdue subsidies to bus operators and the establishment of a special commission tasked with developing sustainable, long-term improvements for the sector. PLO Chairman John Mahadewsing presented multiple solution models during the negotiations, focusing specifically on three critical pain points: the severely aging bus fleet, outdated fare structures, and chronic financial difficulties facing bus operators.

Demonstrating the administration’s commitment to swift action, President Simons personally contacted the Ministry of Finance and Planning during the meeting to initiate the subsidy payment process. This direct intervention has bolstered confidence that outstanding subsidy funds will be disbursed this week or next at the latest, according to reports from Suriname’s Communication Service.

The newly established commission will bear responsibility for crafting a detailed development plan aimed at creating a more future-proof public transportation system. This initiative seeks to balance the interests of both bus operators and passengers while addressing systemic sustainability challenges.

Notably, Mahadewsing explicitly ruled out any threat of transport strikes or disruptive actions, assuring citizens that ‘society need not worry.’ He characterized the negotiations as exceptionally positive and forward-looking, expressing cautious optimism about the implementation of the agreed measures. The chairman emphasized that the agreement establishes a foundation for incremental improvements that will benefit both the transportation sector and the broader society.

Suriname’s Presidential Tourism Commission has initiated decisive action to address the deteriorating conditions at Waterkant, the capital’s prominent waterfront tourist area. During a recent stakeholder assembly, commissioners unanimously advocated for establishing a formal management authority to oversee the district’s rehabilitation and sustainable development.

Commission Chair Rachel Pinas revealed that the organization has received numerous complaints regarding Waterkant’s declining state. Local residents, vendors, artisans, and business operators have reported widespread vandalism, inadequate waste management, insufficient lighting, and lack of security patrols throughout the area.

The meeting highlighted how fragmented responsibilities among various agencies have hindered effective management. Minister Raymond Landveld of Transport, Communication, and Tourism has been formally requested to establish a Waterkant Management Council that will centralize oversight and coordination.

This new governing body will serve as the central contact point for all stakeholders, coordinate between involved institutions, and develop unified policies for maintenance, security, and aesthetic enhancement. Pinas emphasized that such centralized authority is essential for preserving Waterkant’s tourism value and ensuring its sustainable protection. She expressed hope that the council could be operational before year’s end.

Participants also agreed to organize a follow-up session with all involved parties to develop a comprehensive action plan. The commission chair appealed to the public to exercise greater care for the waterfront area, stating, “Let us be loving and good to our country.”

The stakeholder meeting included representatives from multiple government entities including the Ministry of Transport, Communication and Tourism, SMS Pier, Public Green Spaces and Waste Management, the Paramaribo Middle District Commission, the Paramaribo Urban Rehabilitation Program, and local residents.

In a significant development for Suriname’s education sector, the Scientific Staff Union of Anton de Kom University (VWPU) has emerged from productive negotiations with President Jennifer Simons with renewed optimism. The Wednesday meeting at the Presidential Cabinet marked a resumption of dialogue after a period of stalled communications, focusing on systemic challenges within higher education.

Led by VWPU Chairman Aroenprekash Badal, a physics professor and faculty coordinator, the union delegation engaged in what both sides described as open and respectful discussions. President Simons provided comprehensive context regarding the nation’s current socioeconomic difficulties while union representatives detailed the specific concerns affecting academic staff members.

A crucial outcome of the meeting was the establishment of a clear timeline for resolution. President Simons formally requested the union to submit concrete proposals in the immediate term, with both parties committing to achieve definitive solutions to existing problems by March 2026. This deadline creates a structured framework for addressing long-standing issues that have affected the university’s academic community.

Following the presidential engagement, the VWPU has initiated internal consultations with its membership to develop a unified position and craft proposals that address both immediate concerns and long-term structural improvements. The renewed dialogue represents a positive step toward stabilizing Suriname’s higher education system amid broader national challenges.

Seventy-five residents of Albina, Suriname, have achieved a significant milestone toward economic self-sufficiency after completing nine months of intensive vocational training. The certificate awarding ceremony, held Tuesday at the VOJ-school in Albina, showcased the tangible outcomes of the “Wroko Fu Mek Moni” project, which equips participants with practical skills to generate independent income.

The comprehensive training program covered diverse trades including textile crafts, electrical and home installation, assistant hairdressing and barbering, and assistant construction works. This initiative is implemented by the Labor Mobilization and Development Foundation (SAO), an operational arm of the Ministry of Health, Welfare, and Labor (VWA), specifically targeting the enhancement of self-reliance and employment prospects in district communities.

President Jennifer Simons, who attended the closing ceremony, expressed strong appreciation for the project’s concrete achievements. Female participants presented self-made clothing items, while other graduates demonstrated their skills by repairing the school’s entrance gate and constructing a collection basin. The Head of State emphasized that investing in vocational skills directly contributes to production capabilities and income generation opportunities.

Simons highlighted that while Suriname’s developing oil and gas sector presents new economic opportunities, it remains essential for citizens to acquire relevant skills to provide services within and around this industry. “During this government term, we aim to transition people from poverty to welfare through production. This requires craftsmanship and creativity,” she stated. The President encouraged graduates to further develop their acquired knowledge and announced that the Foundation for Productive Work Units will provide additional entrepreneurial training for those interested in starting businesses.

Along with their certificates, all successful participants received starter kits containing essential tools to practice their trades immediately. VWA Vice Minister Raj Jadnanansing urged graduates to become project ambassadors who motivate others to enroll. He also announced that VWA and SAO will soon organize awareness campaigns in Albina and surrounding areas, focusing on educating youth about the dangers of drug and alcohol abuse.

District Commissioner Marvin Vyent of Northeast Marowijne emphasized the importance of such training programs for young people, noting that the district holds significant potential particularly in hospitality, while vocational training creates broader professional opportunities for both employment and self-employment.

SAO Director Joyce Lapar described the graduation as a milestone achievement, noting that for some participants, this marked the first formal certificate they had ever earned. She expressed gratitude to the business community, National Army, school administration, and the President for their support, stating: “Your presence underscores the importance of vocational training, capacity building, and SAO’s role in this process. We greatly appreciate this recognition.”

In a landmark gathering in Brazil, Latin American and Caribbean nations unveiled groundbreaking strategies to revolutionize school feeding programs through sustainability, technology, and community engagement. The inaugural RAES exhibition of best practices in school nutrition, co-organized by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the Brazilian government, and the School Feeding Network, convened approximately 300 professionals from 20 nations across Latin America, the Caribbean, and Europe.

Eleven countries demonstrated concrete initiatives linking school meals to sustainable agri-food systems. Chile introduced the PAE App pilot project, enabling schools to photograph served meals and compare them against planned menus while facilitating parental feedback. Brazil showcased its Food and Nutrition Education Journeys program, reaching over 11,000 schools since 2017 to integrate nutritional education into core curricula.

Belize revealed how training school cooks alongside professional chefs transformed menus across 78 institutions serving 15,000 students. Paraguay’s Mbo’Eco project combined waste management with environmental education, while Suriname emphasized accelerated progress through international knowledge-sharing.

Notable innovations included the Dominican Republic’s Optiwaste tool for measuring and reducing food waste, and school garden initiatives from Cuba, Guatemala, and Saint Lucia that enhanced nutrition, entrepreneurship, and special needs education. Uruguay reported a striking 22% reduction in student absenteeism following hygiene and nutrition interventions, while Colombia advocated for culturally adapted meals respecting indigenous communities’ culinary traditions.

The RAES network—a collaboration of 18 countries implemented by Brazil’s Cooperation Agency (ABC), the National Fund for Education Development (FNDE), and FAO—demonstrated how regional cooperation is creating more transparent, inclusive, and environmentally conscious school nutrition systems.