THE HAGUE - Minister of Education, Culture, and Science, Robbert Dijkgraaf (D66), is spearheading a knowledge-oriented initiative to Aruba and Curaçao from Monday to Friday this April. With the participation of educational institutions, Minister Dijkgraaf aims to fortify collaboration in education and research among the Netherlands, the Kingdom's constituent countries, and the Caribbean Netherlands.
Expressing anticipation for the mission, Minister Dijkgraaf emphasized the significance of deepening ties in education and science, particularly with the Caribbean segment of the Kingdom, with which historical connections run deep. He underscored the ongoing momentum in educational relations, citing initiatives such as the Kingdom Scholarship, while stressing the importance of addressing the legacy of slavery, which reverberates throughout society.
Discussions during the mission will encompass crucial topics such as aligning education with labor market demands, promoting lifelong learning, facilitating student mobility, and reckoning with the historical implications of slavery.
The mission's culmination in Curaçao aims to foster increased collaboration among educational institutions and bolster research prospects. This endeavor marks the third knowledge mission, building upon the successes of prior missions to Indonesia and South Africa, which have effectively enhanced bilateral cooperation and knowledge exchange.