Dutch Caribbean Organisations commit to continue cooperation

The Daily Herald reports today that the Platform of Dutch Caribbean Organisations in the Netherlands signed a declaration of intention on Saturday to continue the cooperation between the different organisations working in the interest of the people from the islands. The declaration of intention was signed during a gathering at the office of the St. Maarten Student Support Services S4 in The Hague on the occasion of the platform’s second anniversary.

The platform aims to strengthen the participating organisations and their target group, the Dutch Caribbean community in the Netherlands. Participating
organisations are ABC Compas, Antuba, the Caribbean Student Association, INFECT, KIVA, the Consultative Body for Dutch Caribbean Persons OCAN, Antillean Network Association VAN, the Network Caribbean Behavioural Sciences and the Soualiga Foundation.

Organisations have been gathering on a monthly basis since November 2012.

Organisations have utilised these meetings to network, discuss relevant themes and issues, and share ideas and planned activities. By signing the declaration
of intention on Saturday, the nine organisations confirmed their willingness to continue their work, together and individually. “Every organisation has its own target group, identity and specialism. However, they all share the concept to serve the Dutch Caribbean community,” the platform stated in a press release on Thursday.

The platform wants to attract more Dutch Caribbean organisations in the coming years. The additional organisations and support from the Dutch Caribbean community are important as the platform will be facing more challenges in 2015 due to the elimination of the target group policy of the Dutch government and the increasing tension in the Kingdom.