THE HAGUE – Parliamentarians from the Netherlands, Aruba, Curaçao, and St. Maarten visited The Hague University of Applied Sciences on Friday for an afternoon program focused on Kingdom affairs, multilingualism, and student success. The visit took place within the framework of the Interparliamentary Kingdom Consultation (IPKO).
University board chair Elisabeth Minneman welcomed the delegation and highlighted the institution’s commitment to fostering dialogue around Kingdom-related issues.
Spotlight on Kingdom Affairs Program
The university presented its Kingdom Affairs program, which includes a minor, collaboration with Leiden University on a new postgraduate course in Kingdom Affairs, and a lifelong learning initiative with the universities of Aruba, Curaçao, and Utrecht.
Aruban student Leilani Werleman shared her personal experiences as a Caribbean student in the Netherlands, reflecting on her essay about Papiamentu as a language of instruction.
Debate on Multilingualism
A panel debate followed with experts Juana Kibbelaar, Regine Croes, and Gil-Marie Mercelina. Member of Parliament Raoul White (GL/PvdA) asked what concrete steps parliamentarians could take.
The experts stressed the need for more research and clearer learning outcomes tailored to specific groups. They also highlighted the unique strength of multilingualism in the Caribbean part of the Kingdom. The acknowledgment that Caribbean students often master four languages was met with applause.
Student Success in Focus
The program also featured a discussion on student success with contributions from Elke Tijhuis (Saxion, chair of the HBO Collaboration), Cateleine de Jong (The Hague University), Leoni Holleman (Fontys), and student representative Shane Lobato de Mesquita (Fontys, SEA student council).
The afternoon concluded with informal conversations between parliamentarians and students enrolled in the Kingdom Affairs minor, offering both groups the opportunity to exchange perspectives on education, language, and future collaboration within the Kingdom.
