Two Legislative Specialists Join Aruba’s Department of Civil Aviation
ORANJESTAD – Ms. Marjanne Jarzagaray-da Silva and Ms. Brenda Mardenborough have recently graduated from the Certified Legislative Lawyer program, earning a prestigious qualification that strengthens Aruba’s legal expertise.
On August 27, 2025, both received their certificates from Minister of Justice Arthur Dowers during a ceremony at the Department of Legislation and Legal Affairs (DWJZ). Two days later, on August 29, they met with Minister of Tourism, Transport, and Labor Wendrick Cicilia to discuss potential updates and modernization of Aruba’s aviation legislation.
The Certified Legislative Lawyer program is an intensive one-year specialization designed for lawyers from Aruba, Curaçao, and Sint Maarten. The training provides in-depth expertise in legislative drafting and constitutional law, combined with practical, hands-on experience in writing legislation. It also plays a crucial role in expanding the pool of qualified legislative lawyers—a rare and highly valued skill set across the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
Both Ms. Jarzagaray-da Silva and Ms. Mardenborough currently serve as legal policy officers at Aruba’s Department of Civil Aviation. Aviation is a highly regulated, complex, and fast-evolving sector, which requires laws to be continuously reviewed and updated to align with international standards.
With two legal experts now holding specialized training in both aviation and legislative drafting, the Department of Civil Aviation has reached an important milestone. This unique expertise will enable the department to maintain and modernize Aruba’s aviation regulations more effectively.
Given the aviation sector’s vital role in Aruba’s tourism industry and broader economy, and the Department of Civil Aviation’s responsibility for the island’s aviation infrastructure and ecosystem, the government has emphasized its commitment to investing in talent development within this critical agency. Minister Cicilia also expressed appreciation to the DWJZ for supporting these lawyers’ participation in this highly valuable training.
In closing, Minister Cicilia congratulated both graduates on their achievement, offering special recognition to Ms. Jarzagaray-da Silva, who graduated cum laude. The minister expressed confidence that their new expertise will have a lasting, positive impact on the future of aviation legislation in Aruba.