Ministers Arrindell and Jansen hold talks at UNESCO meet in Paris
Minister of Education, Culture, Sports and Youth Affairs, Dr. Rhoda Arrindell, met yesterday with her counterpart from Curacao, the Hon. Lionel Jansen, for talks that covered a wide gamut of issues pertaining to their portfolios.
The talks, the first between the two ministers were described as very friendly and perhaps even long overdue given the common challenges both islands are facing particularly in the field of education.
The two ministers said they shared a common vision of focusing on the region and identified areas of deepening cooperation in teacher training, legal studies, nursing training and possible collaboration between the University of Curacao (formerly UNA) and the University of St. Martin.
Their discussions further centered on the Foundation Based Education, (FBE), the implementation of Compulsory Education and St. Martin students currently studying in Curacao.
Dr. Arrindell further asked her colleague Minister Jansen for support in St. Martin’s bid to host the 2013 Kingdom Games which the latter said he would consider.
Both ministers extended an invitation for each to visit the other’s island before the end of the year, which invitations have been accepted in principle.
St. Martin and Curacao were both admitted as associate members of UNESCO Tuesday, October 25 at the 36th General Conference of the world body.