New Era Foundation team
From left: Attorney-at-law Roland Duncan, Panel moderator Joy-Anne van Arneman, Charles Jeffrey Richardson of New Era and historian Daniella Jeffry.
POND ISLAND–New Era Foundation with the help of historian Daniella Jeffry and attorney-at-law Roland Duncan recently presented the 1648 Treaty of Concordia in understandable language and with examples of reality at a panel discussion held in University of St. Martin.
Residents of the Dutch and the French sides of the island filled the audience and were eager to learn about the significance of the treaty for islanders 371 years after it was signed on top of Mount Concordia on March 23, 1648.
This event opened with a prayer by Pastor Orlando Wilson, with Shermina Powell-Richardson as mistress of ceremonies. King Beau Beau’s rendition of the St. Maarten Song was played. Purpose Musical Ensemble sang “St. Maarten will live” – a song written and composed by New Era project coordinator and public relations officer Charles Jeffrey Richardson.
Richardson gave an introduction of the event’s objective of deeper awareness of the treaty and the possibilities of making it more relevant for the islanders today.
Parliament Chairwoman Sarah Wescot-Williams gave opening remarks from the legislative perspective and urged the two governments to cooperate with each other.
Jeffry made a strong statement about the fact that every local should be employed according to Article 5 of the Treaty.
Duncan highlighted that the treaty could not be found as a source of law, which made it not possible to be used in court. However, he emphasised that the treaty was good for the island, but without the two governments coming together and inserting this treaty in their Constitutions it would be of no use to the locals.
Panel moderator was Joy-Anne van Arneman, who was tasked with managing the panellists’ time and making sure questions from attendees were short and to the point so everyone had an opportunity to bring their points across.
Leopold Merrick gave the vote of thanks after New Era Foundation presented three clocks to the panellists and moderator as tokens of appreciation.
The foundation is planning to take the information about the treaty to all high schools with the governments’ permission.
Video copies of this event are on sale for US $15 per copy. To get them, call 1-721-553-5512 or 1-721-527-4965.
Source: The Daily Herald https://www.thedailyherald.sx/islands/86452-treaty-of-concordia-put-under-microscope
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