WILLEMSTAD – Seventeen students from the University of Curaçao will be formally integrated into Curaçao’s sustainability framework on February 26, when Club17 Curaçao installs the Council of 17. Within this council, each student will represent one of the seventeen United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), giving students an official and structured voice in sustainability policy and practice.
Club17 Curaçao is a collaborative platform made up of 37 organizations and companies working together to advance sustainable development on the island. With the creation of the Council of 17, students will, for the first time, become a permanent part of this network.
According to Club17 Curaçao, the role of the students goes beyond symbolism. Members of the Council will act as active ambassadors for sustainability, contributing ideas, advising on initiatives, and participating in projects and decision-making processes. Their involvement is intended to combine academic knowledge, a young perspective, and social engagement.
From Global Goals to Local Action
The Council of 17 is tasked with translating the global Sustainable Development Goals into concrete local action. Drawing on their studies and lived experience on the island, the students will focus on themes such as education, employment, health, and the living environment.
In practice, the Council will function as a youth advisory body to the Club17 Advisory Council, providing feedback on initiatives and assessing their sustainability impact. Council members will also play a role in education and awareness-raising through schools, public events, and digital platforms.
An important element of the initiative is the development of a digital badge system, designed to help young people and professionals build and demonstrate skills related to sustainability and sustainable development.
Youth Participation Seen as Essential
Lara Melkert, coordinator of Club17 Curaçao, stressed the importance of formally involving young people. “Sustainable development is only credible when young people are given an official voice in policy and projects,” she said.
The University of Curaçao also views the Council as a valuable addition to students’ education. Rector Stella van Rijn noted that participation offers students practical experience while helping them develop the skills needed to address complex social challenges.
The official installation of the Council of 17 will take place on Thursday, February 26, 2026, on the campus of the University of Curaçao.