Aruba Hosts Common Good Expo 2026 and International Conference The House We Build Together

Common Good is an initiative that brings together community organizations, leaders, civil society actors, 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 Thursday, January 29, 2026

During the Expo, more than 50 community, social, and service-oriented organizations will showcase their work, providing them with a platform to connect with volunteers, partners, and donors. The Expo is designed as a living expression of the common good, highlighting how solidarity, civic participation, and shared responsibility are already taking shape within the Aruban community through daily acts of care, service, and engagement.

International Common Good Conference Friday, 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, economics, leadership, sustainability, and community.

The Conference features a distinguished lineup of speakers who will inspire participants:

International Speakers

• Prof. Michael Sandel (Harvard University), internationally recognized for integrating moral and political philosophy into public life; author of The Tyranny of Merit and What Money Can’t Buy, analyzing how meritocracy and market thinking can undermine 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 grounded in shared value, sustainability, ethical leadership, and responsibility.
• Peter Block, internationally respected author and expert 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 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); co-founder of De Nieuwe Wereld (The New World) podcast with Ad Verbrugge.

Local Speakers

• Dr. Robertico Croes (Florida International University), internationally recognized expert in tourism economics, destination development, and well-being, researching how tourism can enhance quality of life, social justice, and community resilience, particularly in small island communities.
• 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 in Public Administration and Organizational Studies at the University of Aruba; PhD candidate at Utrecht University and the University of Aruba. Ms. Franken is Program Manager of the Governance and Leadership master’s program. Her teaching, research, and program leadership strengthen institutional capacity and promote effective governance within 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 leadership. Prior to her current role, she served as Chair of the Kiwanis Club of San Nicolas and actively contributed to community-led initiatives. She also served as an advisor to Prime Minister Mike Eman during a previous cabinet, contributing at the highest levels of policy and governance. She is widely respected for her servant leadership, institutional insight, and commitment to the common good.

From Practice to Reflection

Together, the Expo and the Conference form a cohesive whole: from practice to reflection, from action to direction. The Expo highlights what communities have already built, while the Conference provides ethical, philosophical, and policy-oriented perspectives to help guide future decisions.

The common good is presented not as an abstract ideal, but as a practical compass—especially relevant for small island communities like Aruba, where trust, community, and shared responsibility are lived realities.

Message from the Prime Minister

“I am proud that Aruba is placing the common good at the center of this conversation, creating space for deep reflection with respected international experts, and bringing together community organizations that work every day in service of our society.”