ORANJESTAD - The Kingdom Taskforce for Children’s Rights recently held a successful meeting in Aruba, marking an important milestone in the ongoing collaboration to strengthen the protection and promotion of children’s rights throughout the Kingdom.
The meeting was chaired by Ms. Sacha Geerman of Aruba’s Ministry of Social Affairs, who currently serves as Chairwoman of the Kingdom Taskforce. This gathering was the first in-person meeting since the development and approval of the Strategic Framework, National Action Plans, and Monitoring Framework. These documents were created with the assistance of UNICEF The Netherlands. For the first time in the Taskforce’s history they provide a structured and measurable approach to cooperation among the islands.
As strategic advisor to the Taskforce, UNICEF The Netherlands was also present during the meeting, when each island shared the results of an assignment highlighting different vulnerable situations children face within their local contexts. Saba presented on the vulnerability of migrant children in education, Bonaire on youth crime, Curaçao on undocumented children, St. Eustatius on children with autism, St. Maarten on youth and crime, and Aruba on children with special needs.
The meeting also included discussions on inter-island residential care, Aruba’s parenting plan initiative, and the “Alleen jij bepaalt” (You get to decide) program on prevention and behavioral change. The Taskforce members were also allowed to experience Team-up: a program that provides psychosocial support to children facing vulnerable circumstances.
In her opening remarks, the Minister of Social Affairs, Elderly Care, and Addiction Care, Mrs. Mervin Wyatt-Ras, welcomed the Taskforce members with an inspiring speech that emphasized the power of collaboration and the shared responsibility of all islands to safeguard children’s rights.
During the internal session, the constituent countries, Aruba, Curaçao, and St. Maarten, provided updates on progress made regarding the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) recommendations since the 2022 hearing. Members also exchanged updates on the monitoring of national action plans and got the opportunity to exchange with Aruba’s Children’s Rights Commission.
The program concluded with optional field visits to Scol basico Dornasol and Scol Dun' un man, both of which support children with special needs in education.
The Taskforce expressed gratitude to the Government of Aruba for its warm hospitality and successful organization of the meeting. The islands reaffirmed their joint commitment to ensuring that every child in the Kingdom can grow up safely, with equal opportunities and access to care, education, and protection.
