The house We Are Building Together”**
On January 29 and 30, Aruba will host the Common Good Expo and the International Common Good Conference, an initiative that brings together community organizations, leaders, civil society, and respected international experts from around the world to strengthen the foundations of a just, inclusive, and sustainable society. The Expo and Conference are organized by the Ministry of General Affairs, in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism, the Ministry of Social Affairs, YMCA Aruba, and the Foundation for Our Community.
Common Good Expo — January 29, 2026
The Expo will feature more than 50 community, social, and service organizations and will provide a platform for organizations to present their work and connect with volunteers, partners, and donors. Designed as a living expression of the common good, the Expo highlights how solidarity, civic participation, and shared responsibility are already taking shape within the Aruban community through daily acts of care, service, and commitment.
International Common Good Conference — January 30, 2026
Following the Expo, the Conference will bring together international and local leaders for a full day of reflection and dialogue on democracy, ethics, the economy, leadership, sustainability, and community.
Featured Speakers
The conference will include a distinguished list of speakers, ready to inspire all participants:
- Prof. Michael Sandel (Harvard University), internationally renowned for bringing moral and political philosophy into public life; author of The Tyranny of Merit and What Money Can’t Buy, which analyze how meritocracy and market thinking can weaken solidarity and civic trust.
- Jan Peter Balkenende (former Prime Minister of the Netherlands) and Govert Buijs (philosopher and economist), co-authors of Capitalism Reconnected, advocating for an economy based on shared values, sustainability, ethical leadership, and responsibility.
- Peter Block, internationally respected author and practitioner in community building and civic leadership; author of Activating the Common Good, focusing on trust, participation, and shared responsibility at the community level.
- Ad Verbrugge, philosopher and public intellectual; author of De Gezagscrisis (The Crisis of Authority), examining the erosion of shared values, authority, and social cohesion.
- Jelle van Baardewijk, philosopher and expert in business ethics (Nyenrode Business University; Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences), and co-founder of the public philosophy podcast De Nieuwe Wereld together with Ad Verbrugge.
Local Speakers
- Dr. Robertico Croes (Florida International University), globally recognized expert in tourism economics, destination development, and well-being, exploring how tourism can improve quality of life, social justice, and community resilience in small island societies.
- Francielle Lacle, environmental expert and advisor to Prime Minister Mike Eman on sustainability and nature-inclusive development, integrating environmental responsibility into long-term social and economic policy.
- Thais Franken, lecturer and researcher at the Department of Public Administration and Organizational Science (University of Aruba), PhD candidate at Utrecht University and the University of Aruba, and Program Manager of the Master’s in Governance and Leadership. Her work strengthens institutional capacity and promotes effective governance in Aruba’s public sector.
- Esther Emerencia-Gomes, Managing Director of Post Aruba N.V., leading the modernization and strategic strengthening of Aruba’s national postal service. A graduate of the University of Aruba, she combines academic expertise with strong executive leadership. She previously served as President of the Kiwanis Club of San Nicolas and as advisor to Prime Minister Mike Eman, contributing to policy and governance at the highest level. She is widely respected for her service-oriented leadership and commitment to the common good.
From Practice to Reflection
Together, the Expo and the Conference form a coherent whole: from practice to reflection, from action to direction. The Expo showcases what communities have already built, while the Conference offers ethical, philosophical, and policy-oriented perspectives to guide future decisions. The common good is presented not as an abstract ideal, but as a practical compass—especially relevant for small island societies like Aruba, where community, trust, and shared responsibility are lived realities.
Prime Minister Mike Eman stated:
“I am proud that here in Aruba we are elevating the theme of the Common Good—creating space for deep reflection together with respected international experts and bringing together the community organizations that work tirelessly on our island. This combination of thought and action reflects who we are as a people and the future we choose to build together.”
The Government of Aruba invites community members, organizations, youth, political leaders, and international partners to participate and contribute to a renewed conversation about trust, dignity, solidarity, and the future we are shaping together.
