OCAN European Parliamentary election debate, Saturday, May 17th 2014 (2000hrs), Millinxparkhuis Rotterdam.
THE HAGUE—In a bid to promote awareness within the Dutch Caribbean community and stimulate participation, OCAN is organizing a European Parliamentary election debate in Rotterdam slated for Saturday, May 17th 2014, and themed: European-Dutch-Caribbean voices in the EU-parliament! The 9 European Parliament hopefuls from several contesting parties will address the relevant issues important to the voter while they engage in debate amongst themselves and entertain your pressing questions. A recording of the debate will also be televised on TeleCuraçao and therefore viewable on the islands.
What is the significance of ‘Europe’ to your daily life? Which influence does it have on your legal position? Should Europe play a role in the areas of migration and integration, or in the norms and values that we share? Why should we, or should we not expand to Eastern Europe? How should future cooperation with the overseas territories in the Caribbean be defined? How should you vote and why?
9 candidates
The participants of the debate are: Maruschka Gijsbertha (Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats/ PvdA), Marc Frans (European People’s Party/ CDA), Raoul Boucke (Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe Group/ D66), Lara de Brito (The Greens/European Free Alliance/ GroenLinks), Stieneke van der Graaf (European Conservatives and Reformists/ ChristenUnie), Michel van Hulten (Ik Kies voor Eerlijk), Yernaz Ramautarsing (Artikel 50), Alexander van Steenderen (European United Left/Nordic Green Left GroenLinks/SP) and Adriana Hernandez (50+ partij). Rudy Lampe (Ik Kies voor Eerlijk) will deliver a video message to the audience from Aruba. The debate will be moderated by Anousha Nzume.
Mito Croes
The debate will be kicked off by way of an introduction by the Aruban constitutional law scholar mr. dr. Mito Croes. Amongst others, he shall provide background on the functioning of EU and the European Parliament, the relations with the islands and the landmark Eman/Sevinger case. Attendees will receive information materials from ProDemos and the House of Europe.
Millinxparkhuis
The venue of the debate is the Millinxparkhuis located at address Millinxstraat 69, Rotterdam. Doors open at 1915hrs and the programme begins at 2000hrs. Directions: from metrostation Maashaven follow the Dordtselaan to the 3rd street to your right: Heinenoordstraat. Following will be the Millinxstraat. More information see www.ocan.nl or call 070-3803301 / 06-51969524.
Bai vota – vote!
All EU citizens are allowed to vote on May 22nd for their representation in the European Parliament. This includes both European-Dutch and Caribbean-Dutch persons: here in the Netherlands as well as on the islands.
ProDemos voting aid
Check http://www.europeesparlement.nl/resource/static/files/pdf/nl_het-europees-parlement2012.pdf if you would like to familiarize yourself more with the European Parliament. Complete the voting aid by ProDemos should you want to know with political party matches your preferences best.
