Philipsburg, Sint Maarten — The University of St. Martin (USM) is proud to announce its online journal named “Commentaries”. The journal was launched softly by the President of USM, Dr. Francio Guadeloupe at an informal ceremony.
In a given statement, Dr. Guadeloupe stated that “Commentaries features scientific and popular essays from the Dutch Caribbean (and St. Maarten in particular), it aims to create and inhabit a space whereby the academic community and the general populace interacts”. According to his introduction to the on-line journal, Dr. Guadeloupe stated further: “To comment is to be in common, when a public sphere is created where the writings of scholars, activists, writers, public intellectuals, students and the general population/others, occupy the same space and is given the same importance; then and only then, does a developmental university as the USM is fulfill its role of contributing to the radical democratic project in the Caribbean”.
Commentaries has been launched with two simultaneous issues in one volume. The first of which is the conference proceeding lectures at the recently completed conference on the continuing blight of racism on St. Eustatius. There are six papers online by local and regional scholars, researchers, and writers—Dr. Teresa Leslie, Dr. Francio Guadeloupe, Erwin Wolthuis, M.A., Dr. Rhoda Arrindell, Lianne Mulder M.A., Lysanne Charles Arrindell, MSc., and Lisenne Delgado from the University of Curaçao.
The first volume issue two covers the Caribbean Film Studies class conducted in the summer of last year, when the renowned Dutch Caribbean filmmaker, Ms. Sharelly Emanuelson MSc., taught the class: ART 232, “An Introduction to Film Studies: Activism, Caribbean Nation Building and the Politics of Filmmaking for Social Work.” The student participants wrote essays and produced short documentary films—both of which are on-line.
Member of Parliament Cornelius deWeever in his capacity as Minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labor and Ms. Aida Holaman-Boyrard head of the Department of Community Development, Family and Humanitarian Affairs were instrumental in providing the finances for this project of which NGO workers benefited.
An International Editing Board consisting of academics from the region and the USA will preside over the subsequent volume of Commentaries scheduled for the summer 2016. The Journal will also be linked to the site of sister institutions in the region.
The public is urged to visit the site http://www.usmonline.net/Commentaries and peruse the essays and short films.
At the end of January 2016, USM will have an official launch of the project and other surprises.
The website will be maintained by Joshue Ferrol and the journal edited by Pedro de Weever.
The University of St. Martin wishes the general public a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 2016.
