Integrity Symposium 2025 Strengthens National Dialogue on Whistleblowing and Accountability

BELAIR--The Integrity Chamber hosted its second Integrity Symposium on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, at the Belair Community Centre. Approximately 100 invited guests attended, including dignitaries and representatives of Government, government owned entities, integrity stakeholders, and community leaders. This year’s theme, “Whistleblowing – Encouraging Accountability,” focused on the critical role that reporting wrongdoing plays in strengthening Sint Maarten’s integrity systems. The event was facilitated by Mistress of Ceremony, Mrs. Amanda Vital-Bedminister.

The symposium opened with an address by the Prime Minister of Sint Maarten, the Honourable Dr. Luc Mercelina, who emphasized the national importance of accountability and ethical leadership. President of the Integrity Chamber, Rik Bergman, followed with remarks on the shared responsibility across society. “Integrity cannot be achieved by institutions alone. It requires the active participation of every employee, every manager, and every citizen. Through dialogue, we can explore how to create safe channels for reporting, how to protect whistleblowers, and how to shift cultural perceptions so that whistleblowers are seen not as troublemakers, but as guardians of integrity.”

Whistleblower Protection Lead of Transparency International, Marie Terracol, shared a short message via video on international best practices related to the implementation of whistleblowing policies and the protection of whistleblowers. The event also featured two keynote speakers. Ms. Anika Kentish, a freelance journalist and advocate for freedom of expression across the Caribbean, provided a regional perspective on whistleblowing in a small society. Mr. Wilbert Tomesen, former Chairman of the Dutch Whistleblowers Authority, offered an international perspective on whistleblowing and the development of strong reporting frameworks.

A panel discussion, moderated by Ms. Giselle York, brought together the two keynote speakers along with two local panelists, Ms. Kyria Ali, CEO of NAGICO, representing the private sector, and union leader and president of WICSU-PSU, Ms. Sharon Cangieter. The conversation explored the importance of creating safe channels for reporting misconduct, shifting cultural attitudes toward whistleblowing, and supporting legislative efforts to protect those who come forward. It also highlighted the role of the Integrity Chamber as an institute where misconduct can be safely reported.

During the closing of the event, participants reflected on how the symposium influenced their perspective on whistleblowing. Seventy six percent indicated that they already viewed whistleblowing positively, while the remaining 24 percent stated that the symposium shifted their view to a positive one. This collective shift signals a meaningful step toward creating a culture where speaking up is valued, protected, and embraced as an act of integrity.

The Integrity Chamber trusts that the symposium will not only spark meaningful dialogue, but also serve as a catalyst for broader societal and institutional change. The Chamber hopes it will help lay the groundwork for the establishment, implementation, and effective execution of whistleblowing legislation and policies that protect individuals, strengthen accountability, and promote a culture of transparency across Sint Maarten.

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