Members

The participating countries and islands of the Kingdom Taskforce are: Aruba, Curaçao, St. Maarten and the Netherlands, and the public bodies Bonaire, St. Eustatius and Saba. Although the countries and public bodies are primarily responsible for the welfare of their children, the countries have been working closely together since 2014 through the Kingdom Taskforce for Children's Rights. Sharing knowledge, creating connections and intercountry cooperation is the main goal in this.

Especially now in these challenging times of, among others, COVID-19, it is essential to join forces and knowledge to jointly tackle the issues surrounding children's rights. Thanks to this collaboration, the children of the Kingdom can retain the perspective of a healthy and safe future. We will continue to focus on the voice of our children.

The current representatives per island are:

Aruba: Mrs. Sacha Geerman (Chair)

Aruba: Mrs. Yvonne Bermudes

Bonaire: Mr. Reginald De Palm

Bonaire: Mrs. Maideline Martijn

Curaçao: Mrs. Miosotis Yearwood

Curaçao: Mrs. Judiska Cijntje

Saba: Mrs. Annette Augustus

St. Eustatius: Mrs. Monica Smith

St. Eustatius: Mrs. Curdi Lewis

St. Maarten: Mrs. Soraya Agard

St. Maarten: Mrs. Faye Arnell

St. Maarten: Mrs. Diedra Sprott

Nederland-VWS: Mrs. Yasemin Glasgow

Nederland-BZK: Mrs. Rachel Crowe

Nederland-BZK: Mrs. Tess Martina

Sacha Geerman

Aruba

Working for and/or with children inspires me. It gives a feeling that I contribute to the new generation of the future, that I can make a difference in their environment and live in a positive sense

Maideline Martijn

Bonaire

Every child has the right to grow up in a safe and inspiring environment and to be offered equal opportunities. Parents and caregivers play an important role in this, but we as organizations responsible for this also have a duty to take an active role.

Bonaire

Judiska Cijntje

Curaçao

Investing in youth is not just an investment in the future, but in the present as well. That’s why as a professional and as an individual I see myself as an agent of positive change. Working for and with youngsters has always been my life mission.

There lies an incredible power within each and every one of our youth. By working together in the Taskforce on children’s rights and to provide support, protection and opportunities, we can help empower our youth to realize their full potential and become leaders of positive change on our island(s). That’s our commitment!

Yvonne Bermudes

Aruba

I am very passionate about to make a difference in every children’s life.

To encourage and support children, parents and families and also advocate for the children’s rights.

As part of the Kingdom Taskforce I can make a great contribution not only to the children and families of Aruba, but also in the Kingdom

Elisabeth Veldbloem

Bonaire

Elk Kind heeft het recht om in een veilig en inspirerende omgeving op te groeien en dezelfde kansen aangeboden te krijgen. Ouders en Opvoeders hebben hierin een belangrijke rol, maar ook wij als organisaties die hiervoor verantwoordelijk zijn moeten een actieve rol hierin vervullen.

Annette Augustus

Saba

Children’s Right Means to me.

The basic rights, opportunities where the child he or she can experience a sense of belongings. There are given a name and identify as a human being. The child is provided with food, water, and clothing. Children have the rights to be provided with an education, medical care, the freedom to play and expression of themselves. Protection from abuse and discrimination due to their gender, ethnicity, and nationality. These fundamental rights which are bestowed upon a child allows the child to developed mentally, physically, and emotionally, to be the next productive adult citizen and to continue the promotion and implementation of Children’s Rights.

Reginald de Palm

Bonaire

Continuously ensuring that children have options to develop themselves is and will remain a priority for us. On the other hand, we also ensure that the path between child and development is kept free from obstacles. If the child's life does get stuck, we are committed to pulling that child out and set it back on the path to a free and fruitful future

Curaçao

Miosotis Yearwood

I have seen firsthand, during my years at the Child Protection Board in the Netherlands, how deeply unstable home situations can affect children. That experience shaped my conviction that every child deserves safety, stability, and the chance to grow in a nurturing environment. In my current role as Sector Director of the Family and Youth department at the Ministry of Social Development, Labor and Welfare, I focus on prevention—working to strengthen families before problems escalate. Contributing to the Taskforce gives me the opportunity to help build a Kingdom where children’s rights are truly protected and prioritized.

Cecilia Gonzalez

Saba

Children's rights are important to me because I believe every child deserves the chance to grow up in a safe,loving, and supportive environment. I feel it is our responsibility to protect their well-being, dignity, and future. When we uphold their rights , we lay the foundation for a more just, compassionate, and empowered community. By being part of this team, we emphasize the frequently used quote "children are the future" and act on it.

Monica Smith

St. Eustatius

I have always had a sense of service, a drive to help people, children and youth especially. Working in this field is one of the most challenging, stimulating, and rewarding fields I ever worked in, doing the work I do gives me a purpose in life. Being able to set in interventions or just having a simple conversation that can make a difference in someone’s life. Giving my contribution to the Kingdom Taskforce for Children’s Rights gives me great pleasure being able to give my support on a broader scale and reach more children and youth.

Curdi Lewis

St. Eustatius

Too often, discussions surrounding "The Rights of the Child" tend to focus on issues of corporal punishment. I believe it is crucial to shift this narrative from a negative perspective to a positive one. By emphasizing the numerous rights that our young individuals possess, I aim to foster greater understanding and awareness among adults.

My goal is to educate adults about the importance of these rights and to promote a more supportive and respectful environment for children. Being a member of the Task Force provides me with valuable insights and a deeper understanding of the work involved in advocating for children's rights, which will empower me to pursue this objective more effectively.

Curdi Lewis

St. Eustatius

Soraya Agard

St. Maarten

My connection to the mission of the Taskforce: To create a healthy, safe living environment for children on every island is of immeasurable value. As a member of the Taskforce, you are an essential link in inspiring and motivating other members through your passion, dedication, and expertise for the well-being of children. Through your involvement, we can collaborate, share knowledge, and develop effective strategies to bring about positive change. Your contribution to this mission will have a lasting impact on the lives of children and their communities and will help create a future in which every child has the opportunity to grow up healthy and safe, no matter where they live.

Soraya Agard

St. Maarten

Kinderrechten zijn universele rechten waar élk kind in heel het Koninkrijk der Nederlanden op moeten kunnen rekenen.

Via de Taskforce creëren we samenwerkingsverbanden, leren we van elkaar en hebben we respect voor elkaars perspectieven – ook wanneer deze soms in eerste instantie anders zijn. Het is belangrijk om de verbinding met elkaar te houden en dat wij elkaar weten te vinden. Ik ben er trots op dat we met deze gepassioneerde leden van de Taskforce ons in zetten om ons voor alle kinderen in te zitten.

Kinderrechten zijn universele rechten waar élk kind in heel het Koninkrijk der Nederlanden op moeten kunnen rekenen.

I am a passionate youth advocate with over two decades of experience working in youth development and education. With my vision to groom our youth to become succesful individuals in an ever changing world, I enthousiatically dedicate my time and expertise to help foster growth,resilience and promote opportunities in order to positively influence the community.

I firmly believe that investing in our youth is not only a duty but also a privilege! Youth Work: A Duty But Also A Privilege

St. Maarten

Faye Arnell

Kinderrechten zijn universele rechten waar élk kind in heel het Koninkrijk der Nederlanden op moeten kunnen rekenen.

The Nederland-BZK

Rachel Crowe

Every child of the Kingdom has the right to a good childhood as envisaged by the International Convention on the Rights of the Child. Together with my colleague from Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport: Job Tanis, I have been a member of the Taskforce Children's Rights from the Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations since the establishment of the Taskforce on Children's Rights. I see it as my mission to seek connections, to promote collaboration and to share knowledge. For the children and with the children. After all, they know best what is going on in their environment.

I am proud to be part of the Taskforce Children's Rights and it is a privilege to promote the rights of all children in our Kingdom together with the other members with such passion and drive. Because that is and will always be necessary. Our children our future

I see it as my mission to seek connections,

to promote collaboration and to share knowledge.

For the children and with the children. After all, they know best what is going on in their environment.

St. Maarten

Diedra Sprott

as a policy officer with 16 years of experience in the Department of Education, my journey has been deeply intertwined with the welfare and development of our youth. Throughout my tenure, I've witnessed firsthand the transformative power of effective policies and initiatives aimed at nurturing safe, healthy, and inclusive environments for children to thrive.

Transitioning to the Department of Youth, my commitment remains steadfast in ensuring all children have safe, nurturing environments. My experience equips me to contribute effectively to the Taskforce's goals, particularly in areas like parenting, violence prevention, and supporting vulnerable youth. I am committed to working alongside fellow stakeholders to create a brighter and safer future for generations to come.

Kinderrechten zijn universele rechten waar élk kind in heel het Koninkrijk der Nederlanden op moeten kunnen rekenen.

The Nederland-BZK

Tess Martina

I have had the privilege of working in the Ministry of Interior Affairs and Kingdom Relations since January 2023. I have a strong desire to improve the lives of people on all the islands that make up our Kingdom, having grown up on Sint Maarten. My career path has been guided toward the social and societal domain due to my early involvement in community and youth initiatives. It is more than simply a job for me to work with the ‘Intereilandelijke Taskforce Kinderrechten’; it is an extension of my commitment to bettering the lives of our young people. In the Caribbean part of the Kingdom, our children face unique challenges, and they deserve a future that is healthier, safer, and full of opportunities. I am proud to collaborate with a team of professionals who are equally driven to make a lasting impact on these young lives, ensuring they grow up in an environment that nurtures their dreams and potential.

Kinderrechten zijn universele rechten waar élk kind in heel het Koninkrijk der Nederlanden op moeten kunnen rekenen.

Yasemin Glasgow

Children’s rights are universal rights that every child across the entire Kingdom of the Netherlands should be able to rely on.
Through the Taskforce we create partnerships, learn from one another, and respect each other’s perspectives – even when these may at first seem different. It is important to remain connected and to know how to find each other. I am proud that, together with these passionate members of the Taskforce, we are committed to standing up for all children.

The Nederland-VWZ

Members

Working for and/or with children inspires me. It gives a feeling that I contribute to the new generation of the future, that I can make a difference in their environment and live in a positive sense

Maideline Martijn

Every child has the right to grow up in a safe and inspiring environment and to be offered equal opportunities. Parents and caregivers play an important role in this, but we as organizations responsible for this also have a duty to take an active role.

Bonaire

Judiska Cijntje

Yvonne Bermudes

Elisabeth Veldbloem

Elk Kind heeft het recht om in een veilig en inspirerende omgeving op te groeien en dezelfde kansen aangeboden te krijgen. Ouders en Opvoeders hebben hierin een belangrijke rol, maar ook wij als organisaties die hiervoor verantwoordelijk zijn moeten een actieve rol hierin vervullen.

Miosotis Yearwood

Curdi Lewis

St. Eustatius

Soraya Agard

St. Maarten

Faye Arnell

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