WILLEMSTAD – Former U.S. President John F. Kennedy once stated: “Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country.” One of the most concrete and effective ways for Curaçao to progress in the short term is for each resident to dedicate some of their time to the well-being of their neighborhood. MAN-PIN has placed neighborhood development as one of its key priorities, aiming to push Curaçao forward by fostering a culture based on coexistence, harmony, and collaboration.
Concrete Plans for Neighborhood Councils
MAN-PIN has concrete plans to introduce neighborhood councils, legally anchored and granted authority to participate in decision-making and local governance. Every neighborhood in Curaçao has issues that residents can help improve.
We've all seen the impact of Little League baseball, where Curaçao has stood out on the world stage, thanks to volunteers guiding young athletes in their communities—producing players who now compete in Major League Baseball.
Every year, many residents participate in clean-up activities to keep Curaçao beautiful, while others contribute by maintaining local schools. In the past, Curaçao was home to numerous musical bands that performed across neighborhoods, laying a strong cultural foundation that is still enjoyed today.
During the holiday season, Curaçao once glowed with vibrant decorations and festive lights in neighborhoods like Santa Catharina, Julianadorp, Boka Sami, Mundu Nobo, Suffisant, Montaña, Santa Rosa, and many more.
Opportunities for Growth and Unity
In areas such as culture, sports, agriculture, livestock, entrepreneurship, and cooperative organizations, there are incredible opportunities for development that could propel Curaçao forward and bring great satisfaction to the community. This is the attitude every resident must embrace.
Participation, coexistence, harmony, and collaboration must be the aspiration of any government that truly wants to see Curaçao advance. There is no room for individualism or totalitarian thinking where a small group makes decisions without listening to the people. The Curaçao of today has no space for division and control—there is work to be done, and neighborhoods matter too!