WILLEMSTAD – Curaçao will take on an active role in a new scientific study examining democracy and representation within the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The research is led by Professor Wouter Veenendaal, who was recently appointed Special Professor of Kingdom Relations at Leiden University. Veenendaal is currently recruiting a local research assistant in Curaçao to support the project.
The academic position, established by the Dutch Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations (BZK), aims to deepen research on how collaboration within the Kingdom operates. According to the Caribbean Netherlands Government Service (RCN), the Curaçaoan research assistant will join a Kingdom-wide research team alongside assistants from Aruba and Sint Maarten, working under Veenendaal’s leadership to analyze various political and social issues across the Dutch Caribbean.
Focus on Democratic Representation
Veenendaal recently outlined his plans during his inaugural lecture, titled "On Equal Footing?", in which he introduced four key research areas, including the political situation in the Caribbean islands and their democratic representation within the Kingdom.
Strengthening Academic Ties Between the Netherlands and the Caribbean
Beyond political research, Veenendaal aims to strengthen collaboration between Dutch and Caribbean universities. The BZK Ministry highlights the importance of the research position, emphasizing that it will contribute to greater knowledge development about the Kingdom and improve cooperation between the different countries.
With Curaçao's active involvement, this study is expected to provide valuable insights into the political dynamics and representation of the Caribbean within the Kingdom, fostering better governance and collaboration in the future.