The Kingdom-wide Taskforce for Children’s Rights recently held a successful meeting in Aruba. This gathering marks an important milestone in the ongoing collaboration to further strengthen the promotion of children’s rights within the Kingdom.
The meeting was chaired by Ms. Sacha Geerman of the Ministry of Social Affairs of Aruba, who currently serves as Chair of the Taskforce. It was the first meeting since the development and approval of the strategic framework, the individual action plans, and the monitoring framework. These documents, prepared with the support of UNICEF Netherlands, provide for the first time in the Taskforce’s history a structured and measurable foundation for cooperation between the islands.
As strategic advisor to the Taskforce, UNICEF Netherlands was also present at the meeting, where each island presented the results of an assignment on vulnerable situations in which children may find themselves.
Saba presented on migrant children in education;
Bonaire on youth crime;
Curaçao on undocumented children;
St. Eustatius on children with autism;
St. Maarten on youth and criminality;
and Aruba on children with disabilities in education.
The meeting also included discussions on inter-island residential care, the Aruban parenting plan initiative, and the “Only You Decide” program, which focuses on prevention and behavioral change. Members were also introduced to TeamUp, a program that offers psychosocial support to children in vulnerable situations.
In her opening address, the Minister of Social Affairs, Elderly Care and Addiction Care, Ms. Mervin Wyatt-Ras, warmly welcomed the Taskforce participants with an inspiring speech on the power of cooperation and the shared responsibility of all islands to safeguard children’s rights.
During the internal sessions, Aruba, Curaçao, and St. Maarten provided updates on progress related to the recommendations of the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child (CRC) since the 2022 hearing. In addition, experiences were shared on monitoring national action plans, and a meeting was held with the Aruba Children’s Rights Committee.
The program concluded with optional working visits to Scol basico Dornasol and Scol Dun’un Man, schools that provide support to children with disabilities.
The Taskforce expressed its gratitude to the Government of Aruba for its warm hospitality and excellent organization of the meeting. The islands reaffirmed their joint commitment to ensuring that every child within the Kingdom can grow up safely, with equal opportunities and access to care, education and protection.
About the Taskforce for Children’s Rights
The Kingdom-wide Taskforce for Children’s Rights was established following the Kingdom Conference on April 2, 2014, in Aruba. The Taskforce promotes cooperation within the Kingdom to strengthen the implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) in the Caribbean part of the Kingdom. The Taskforce consists of representatives from Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao, Saba, St. Eustatius, St. Maarten, and the Dutch Ministries of the Interior and Kingdom Relations (BZK) and Health, Welfare and Sport (VWS). UNICEF Netherlands serves as advisor to the Taskforce.
Press release: Kingdom-wide Taskforce for Children’s Rights
