Signing of Memorandum of Understanding to Strengthen Youth Participation within the Kingdom
ORANJESTAD – Minister of Public Health, Social Affairs, Elderly Care, and Addiction Services, Dr. Melvin Wyatt-Ras, participated in the conference of the Intercountry Task Force on Children's Rights held on Sint Eustatius, where representatives from Aruba, Sint Maarten, Bonaire, and Sint Eustatius signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at strengthening youth participation in governance and in matters that affect their lives and future.
The conference focused on Meaningful Youth Participation and brought together government representatives, various organizations, and partner institutions to explore ways to further strengthen the participation of children and young people in issues that impact their lives. During the meeting, participants reviewed a UNICEF study on the state of children's rights in the Dutch Caribbean and exchanged experiences regarding initiatives designed to amplify the voices of young people.
Among those present at the signing ceremony were Alida Francis, Government Commissioner of Sint Eustatius; Melissa Gumbs, Minister of Education, Culture, Youth, and Sports of Sint Maarten; Dr. Melvin Wyatt-Ras, Minister of Public Health, Social Affairs, Elderly Care, and Addiction Services of Aruba; and Timoteo Silberie, Island Deputy of Bonaire responsible for Social Affairs and Care. Together, they signed the Memorandum of Understanding.
The Memorandum of Understanding reaffirms the shared commitment of the countries and public entities participating in the Intercountry Task Force on Children's Rights to strengthen children's rights and promote more active youth participation in matters that directly affect them.
Minister Wyatt-Ras emphasized that the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding represents a concrete commitment to turning words into action. According to the Minister, it is important not only for the voices of children and young people to be heard, but also for them to be given meaningful opportunities to actively contribute to issues that shape their future.
He further noted that collaboration among the countries and islands of the Kingdom is essential to achieving positive and sustainable outcomes for future generations.
Minister Wyatt-Ras attended the conference together with Natasha Anthony (Chief of Staff), Misha Raymond (Youth Policy Coordinator), and Yvonne Bermudes and Sacha Geerman (Policy Advisors). They formed part of the Aruban delegation and actively contributed to the exchange of knowledge and discussions on children's rights and youth participation.
The Intercountry Task Force on Children's Rights is based on the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and focuses on cooperation, knowledge sharing, and the coordination of joint actions aimed at promoting the well-being, opportunities, and protection of children and young people throughout the Kingdom of the Netherlands.