WILLEMSTAD – On Friday, September 26, 2025, the Kura Hulanda Conference Center will host the seminar “Democracy Today & The Road Ahead”, an event marking fifteen years since Curaçao obtained the status of a country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The seminar provides a timely opportunity to reflect on the state of democracy on the island and to look ahead to the challenges and opportunities of the future.

The event is organized by the Kingdom Chair – Democratic Representation at Leiden University in collaboration with Human Rights Defense Curaçao. The program will explore three central themes: the role of citizen participation, the influence of the media, and Curaçao’s position within the Kingdom. Each theme will be discussed in the context of how democracy is either strengthened or tested by these dynamics.

The seminar will open with an introduction by Pamela Jimenez Ablanque, research assistant for the Kingdom Chair on Curaçao. The morning session will be moderated by John Cijntje, and will feature guest speakers including Dr. Brede Kristensen (Sociology & Political Science), journalist Jo-Anne da Costa Gomez, and Prof. Wouter Veenendaal (Political Science & Kingdom Affairs). Ample space is reserved for audience interaction, encouraging participants to actively contribute to the dialogue.

The event also serves to formally introduce the work of the Kingdom Chair – Democratic Representation on Curaçao, led by Prof. Veenendaal, following similar initiatives already undertaken on Aruba and Sint Maarten. By partnering with Human Rights Defense Curaçao, the seminar aligns with ongoing efforts to strengthen human rights and democracy on the island while fostering greater community involvement.

Researchers, policymakers, journalists, civil society organizations, and engaged citizens are invited to attend and contribute to discussions on shaping the democratic future of Curaçao. The seminar runs from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., with doors opening at 8:30 a.m. Presentations will be delivered in Dutch, while the Q&A sessions will be held in a mix of Papiamentu, Dutch, and English. Participation is free of charge, but registration is required via formurl.com/to/democracy.