THE HAGUE – A new Caribbean-wide vacancy platform will be launched to help students who study in the Netherlands return to their home islands after graduation. The initiative was announced by State Secretary Eddie van Marum in his formal response to the conclusions of the latest Interparliamentary Kingdom Consultation (IPKO).
According to Van Marum, the platform will connect Caribbean students and graduates to internships and job opportunities on Aruba, Curaçao, Sint Maarten and the BES islands, aiming to reduce brain drain and strengthen local labor markets. He emphasizes that the vacancy system will allow young people to see employment pathways early, make better study choices, and maintain stronger ties to their home communities.
In his broader response to Parliament, Van Marum addressed several key issues discussed during IPKO, integrating questions raised by Dutch and Caribbean legislators.
Papiamentu/o and Multilingual Education
Van Marum confirmed that the cabinet recognizes the importance of Papiamentu/o as an instructional language. During the IPKO visit to The Hague University of Applied Sciences, participants discussed the role of the mother tongue in learning. The cabinet supports bilingual and multilingual education, noting that students also need access to languages with extensive academic resources in order to study abroad and pursue lifelong learning.
Strengthening Vocational Education Across the Kingdom
Responding to parliamentary questions on the state of vocational education, Van Marum highlighted ongoing cooperation between the Ministries of BZK and OCW, the Caribbean countries, and the Strategic Education Alliance. Roundtable meetings in Aruba, Curaçao and Sint Maarten earlier this year identified gaps between education and the labor market.
These sessions led to concrete action points, which the countries will now implement. Successful examples shared include regional cooperation in pharmacy and medical assistant training, cross-island hospitality programs, and new internship and scholarship schemes designed to improve student success and workforce readiness.
Addressing Brain Drain Through the Vacancy Platform
Addressing concerns about the loss of Caribbean talent to the Netherlands, Van Marum reiterated that the new vacancy bank is a direct response. It aims to give students clear incentives to return and contribute to their island economies. He emphasized that the platform supports both labor-market alignment and youth well-being by offering clarity, opportunities and guidance early in their academic journey.
Geopolitical Tensions and Regional Security
IPKO participants also raised concerns about rising geopolitical tensions near the Caribbean islands, particularly the escalating confrontation between the United States and Venezuela. Van Marum stated that the four countries of the Kingdom are monitoring the situation closely and acknowledged that these developments understandably cause anxiety.
He confirmed that the Dutch Ministers of Defense and Foreign Affairs are providing ongoing updates to the governments of Aruba, Curaçao and Bonaire. While there is no acute threat to any part of the Kingdom, all three islands are preparing for possible scenarios, including potential shifts in migration flows. The Netherlands stands ready to support through established cooperation channels under the Kingdom Charter.
Follow-Up and Parliamentary Transparency
Van Marum assured Parliament that it will be kept informed as developments evolve and offered a technical briefing if required. He referenced ongoing discussions on the unsolicited advisory report from the Council of State regarding 70 years of the Kingdom Charter. The cabinet is preparing a consolidated Kingdom-wide response together with the three Caribbean Prime Ministers.
Aging Populations: Shared Challenges Across the Kingdom
Finally, Van Marum addressed questions regarding demographic decline and aging – trends already visible in Curaçao, Aruba and Sint Maarten. The state secretary warned that these shifts have major implications for healthcare, social security and economic resilience. Through the Landspakket agreements, the Netherlands and the Caribbean countries are working jointly on long-term strategies to keep essential services affordable and to plan future economic development.
A Tool for Opportunity and Return
With the announcement of the new vacancy platform, Van Marum argues that the Kingdom is taking a practical step toward supporting Caribbean talent and fostering sustainable economic growth. The system is expected to become a central hub for matching students with opportunities on their home islands and for strengthening the educational and economic ties within the Kingdom.
The initiative marks a significant development in Kingdom cooperation—one aimed at ensuring that the youth of the Caribbean islands are not only educated, but also encouraged and empowered to return home and build the future.