What does Prinsjesdag mean for Aruba, and which topics from Dutch politics also affect the other countries within the Kingdom? More than 170 students from Colegio Arubano and Colegio Nigel Matthew spoke and debated among themselves on these topics during a special Prinsjesdag event organized by the Representation of the Netherlands in Aruba (VNO). The gathering took place on September 22 at Paseo Herencia, where Cas di Cultura is temporarily located.
One week after Prinsjesdag in the Netherlands, the students first received an explanation regarding the Speech from the Throne (Troonrede), the Memorandum on the Budget (Miljoenennota), and the Kingdom Budget (Rijksbegroting). Head of the Representation of the Netherlands in Aruba, Vincent Storimans, took them through the most important parts and discussed the significance of Prinsjesdag for the Netherlands and for the countries within the Kingdom.
Aruba’s budget was also addressed. Jurist and former Colegio Arubano student Hellen van der Wal explained to the students how a budget is prepared and which parties are involved in the process. In this way, they gained a deeper understanding of the political and administrative structure of Aruba and the role of Parliament (Staten) in approving the budget.
Then came time for the debate. Students from Colegio Arubano and Colegio Nigel Matthew debated in groups on various current social and political topics. They were tasked with defending a viewpoint, even when it did not align with their own personal opinion. The debates were evaluated by a jury consisting of former Governor of Aruba Fredis Refunjol, Hellen van der Wal, Vincent Storimans, and Matthijs van Beusekom (senior policy advisor at VNO).
VNO and the jury were very impressed with the active and enthusiastic participation of the students!
