WILLEMSTAD – The Curaçao Parliament has established a special committee responsible for selecting candidates for the Martin di Oro and Kokolishi Papiadó awards, two parliamentary distinctions recognizing individuals who have made exceptional contributions to democracy and the social development of Curaçao.
The decision was formalized on October 8, 2026, as part of an effort to make the awards a permanent annual tradition honoring citizens who have distinguished themselves through their service to society.
The awards were presented for the first time in 2025. Parliament now intends to establish a structured selection process to ensure that individuals who have contributed significantly to Curaçao's democratic institutions and community development receive appropriate recognition.
The newly established committee, officially known as the Komishon Temporal pa Premio di Rekonosementu, will be chaired by Parliament President Fergino Brownbill and include four members of Parliament, one representing each parliamentary faction.
The committee will be responsible for evaluating potential recipients, selecting candidates for nomination, and coordinating the organization of the annual award ceremony.
According to the parliamentary decision, nominations should originate as much as possible from the community itself, allowing residents and organizations to identify individuals whose contributions deserve recognition.
Parliament also wants the final selection of award recipients to enjoy broad support.
However, the decision leaves several aspects of the selection process undefined, including the specific criteria candidates must meet and how their achievements will be evaluated.
Another notable provision allows the committee to conduct confidential deliberations when discussing potential nominees.
The committee must submit a proposal concerning these procedures to Parliament's Central Committee.
While confidential discussions may provide an opportunity to consider nominations discreetly, the absence of detailed selection criteria raises questions about how transparency and consistency will be maintained.
The special committee will remain in place throughout the current parliamentary term, which runs until 2029, and will receive administrative assistance from a parliamentary official.
With the new structure, Parliament aims to ensure that the Martin di Oro and Kokolishi Papiadó awards become an established form of recognition for residents whose efforts have helped strengthen Curaçao's democracy and society.