On December 15, 2024, it will be seventy years since Queen Juliana signed the charter, a pivotal moment that redefined the relationship between the Netherlands, the Netherlands Antilles, and Suriname.
The symposium was also attended by State Secretary for Digitalization and Kingdom Relations, Zsolt Szabo, as well as members of the Second Chamber. This convention served as an opportunity to reflect on the historical significance of the charter while exploring how the Kingdom can address future challenges in the context of societal, economic, and international developments. The event features discussions on themes that are critical to ensuring the Kingdom’s continued progress and cohesion.
A keynote address by Prof. Dr. Ernst Hirsch Ballin underscored the importance of learning from history to reimagine the charter as a framework that can benefit all citizens. He emphasized the need to strike a balance between autonomy and cohesion while leveraging modern technology and innovative forms of interaction to bridge existing gaps.
Discussions during the symposium also included topics such as:
- The necessity for a cohesive youth care system
- Healthcare accessibility, and the similarities and differences between Aruba, Curacao and St. Maarten, and the Netherlands
- Ensuring the security of existence and promoting dignified living
- Supporting full societal participation and upholding children’s rights
- Advancing freedom of movement and equal opportunities for education
- Raising awareness on integrity
- Energy Transition and climate adaptation
The Ministry of Education of the Netherlands also highlighted initiatives to enhance educational outcomes in the BES islands. Bureau ICE presented a new pupil monitoring system designed to track students' progress in subjects such as Dutch as a foreign language, English, Papiamentu and Mathematics. Additionally, another lecture was given on increasing awareness of the constitutional responsibility for maintaining public education in the special municipalities.
This symposium has brought light to several topics which affect the Caribbean countries, and some ways to address them, as the Kingdom as a whole looks to the future and the societal changes that come with it.
On Friday December 13th, the Island Council will also meet with the Second Chamber Committee on Kingdom Relations and the Raad van State.
