Research
Research is fundamental for the development of any nation. USM is committed to contributing to Sint Maarten/Saint Martin's development with quality scientific research that speaks to the collective needs and aspirations of our society.
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International Day for the Abolition of Slavery High School Poetry Competition
The International Day for the Abolition of Slavery is on 2 December. The United Nations
designated this day for the remembrance of the suffering and injustice millions of African men, women and children experienced because of the atrocities of the transatlantic slave trade and chattel enslavement. While in the Kingdom of the Netherlands we are commemorating 160 years of abolition (July 1, 1863), the case of St. Martin is unique. This is due to our dual nation island status whereby emancipation was declared on the Northern Side by the French Republic 15 years earlier (May 27, 1848), which triggered the heroic Diamond 26 run for freedom.
This year to commemorate Abolition, the Sint Maarten Advisory Committee on Slavery,
Atonement and Reparations (ACSAR) is inviting high school students (13-18 years) to
participate in a poetry competition under the theme ‘Born Free’, because we are a resilient
people, woven into the rich tapestry of time with threads of strength, culture, spirituality and
achievement. Our narrative extends beyond the chapter of enslavement, embracing the
countless stories of triumph, innovation, and perseverance that characterize our journey.
Prizes will be given to first, second and third place winners.
First Prize: Tablet + 1-day course with local historian
Second Prize: $100 + 1-day course with local performing artist
Third Prize: $50 + 1-day course with local playwright
Competition Details
Students are asked to submit a thought-provoking and inspiring poem on the theme ‘Born Free’. There is no line or word limit, and any poetry style can be used.
Please submit your entry as a Word or PDF document via email to Marcellia Henry at
henrymarcellia@gmail.com & acsarsxm@gmail.com. Please also include your full name, age, high school name and email address.
Deadline for submissions: November 28, 2023
The Prize Ceremony will be held on Saturday, December 2, 2023 at University of St.
Martin
Faculty, students, and partnering organizations analyze socio-economic development trends and the impact of varied social and environmental phenomena. Areas include, but are not limited to:
— Public Health
— Natural Disasters
— Economic Diversification
— Migration
— Social Inequality
— Gender
— Agroecology
— Nutrition
— Education and Youth Development
— Entrepreneurship and Innovation
USM research is co-sponsored by partnering institutions, such as universities where faculty complete their graduate degrees, grassroots organizations, government, NGOs, and the private sector business community.
Local Partners:
AUC (American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine)
ECO Sint Maarten (ECO Sint Maarten Agriculture, Research and Development Foundation)
Spaceless Gardens
Sint Maarten Anti-Poverty Platform
SHTA (Sint Maarten Hospitality and Trade Association)
SER (Social Economic Council)
Partnering Universities:
University of Amsterdam
University of the Virgin Islands
University of Curaçao
The University of the West Indies
Leiden University
KITLV (Royal Netherlands Institute of Southeast Asian and Caribbean Studies)
