Page 20 - AHATA

Thursday 17 december 2020 locAl
A10

‘Youth finalize the ‘My New World’ project’

ORANJESTAD — Dozens of naire, Sint Eustatius and
young people between Saba had virtual discus-
the ages 13 and 18 from sions with State Secretary
Curacao, Aruba, Bonaire, Raymond Knops of the Min-
Sint Maarten, Sint Eustatius istry of Interior and Kingdom
and Saba have participat- Relations and with Member
ed in the UNICEF ‘My New of Parliament Stieneke van
World’ project these past der Graaf. Both discussed
few months. Central to their the advice and gave some
advice was how their ideal practical tips such as for
world should look like in the young people to all
light of the corona crisis. to have a conversations
The young people final- with their schools and local
ized the trajectory with an people learned how to land debate between the young people had a meet- newspapers to discuss their
evaluation and reflection make lobby plans and how youth from Sint Maarten, ing with their local govern- advice.
of the process. 86 young they could explain and Sint Eustatius and Saba. At ment. Ministers, parliamen-
people from the six islands motivate their advice in a the same time the youth tarians, commissioners, and Child/youth participation
received ‘My New World’ constructive manner. from Bonaire debated with island council members all The ‘My New World’ proj-
certificates for their partici- “The training for the debate their peers from Curacao had a moment to discuss ect in the Dutch Caribbean
pation and the effort during was extremely smooth and and Aruba. This way the the youth’s advice with is a cooperation between
the whole process. was loads of fun. This train- debating skills the youth them. Concrete topics UNICEF, the governments
ing set the standard of what acquired could be put to were discussed such as the from the different islands
Debate practices needs to be done in a de- practice right away. expansion of sport facilities, and the Ministry of Interior
The youth focused on bate and how to debate “What I found went well improvement of the online and Kingdom Relations.
the question: what top- on an international level. I was the interaction be- education and more pos- With the #MyNewWorld
ics should the government felt that I was prepared for tween the islands and the sibilities for youth participa- project, UNICEF and the
work on? This counts for the debate and performed new information I learned”, tion. governments want to em-
both the local government well”, #MNW participant #MNW participant from “I feel that we did get the phasize the importance of
on the island, and for the form Sint Maarten. Sint Eustatius. opportunity to spread our giving children the oppor-
Caribbean Netherlands, ideas as youth and address tunity to have their voices
the national government Debates Conversations with the our concerns”, #MNW par- heard on topics that con-
in The Hague. During the Following the debate train- governments ticipant from Sint Maarten. cern them both directly
debate trainings the young ings there was an interis- On all the six islands, the Finally the youth form Bo- and indirectly.q

Share the love for Aruba and words sent to us by Dawn With- Visit the
ers and Jack King:
Festival of
“We made our first visit to Aruba
in the winter of 2008. We chose Lights
the Divi Divi all-inclusive as we
thought we would like the low
rise area instead of the high rise. ORANJESTAD — Giving
We were totally impressed and back to the community
fell in love with the beautiful is the thought behind the
beaches and ocean in Aruba. Festival of Lights that is
We met so many friendly staff coming up. ECO Destina-
and tourists while we were there. tion Management Compa-
I cried all the way to the airport ny and Elite Productions &
when we had to leave. Not be- Entertainment teamed up
ing that wealthy, we did not think to organize this free event
we would ever have the money for the public.
to return. We put our heads to-
gether when we got home and From December 18 to De-
decided if we quit smoking we cember 20 you can take
could save enough to return the your car and drive through
ORANJETSAD — You are back or ments alive? Please do note: By next year. We returned in the a magical world of Christ-
you will be back, hopefully soon. submitting photos, text or any other winter of 2009. We are smoke mas lights in Oranjestad.
We are really happy to share the materials, you give permission to free for 12 years. We have been Between 6PM and 10PM
love for this island with you and we The Aruba Today Newspaper, Ca- there 16 times; sometimes twice Arendstraat 105 will be full
would like to portrait you! By inviting ribbean Speed Printers and any of a year since that first trip. We met of lights to bring you into
you to send us your favorite vaca- its affiliated companies to use said so many lasting friendships there, the Christmas spirit and
tion picture while enjoying Aruba materials, as well as names, likeness, residents and tourists. We actu- share some joy.
One Happy Island. etc. for promotional purposes with- ally got to participate in a neigh-
out compensation. borhood parade with some of This has been a challeng-
Complete the sentence: Aruba to Last but not least: check out our our local friends. We continue to ing year for everyone and
me is ……. Send your picture with website, Instagram and Facebook go to Aruba sometimes twice a with these lights the two
that text (including your name and page! Thank you for supporting our year. Unfortunately due to the companies wish to make
where you are from) to: news@aru- free newspaper, we strive to make virus we had to cancel our July your last weeks of the year
batoday.com and we will publish you a happy reader every day 2020 and Feb 2021 trip. We will shine bright! Admission is
your vacation memory. Isn’t that a again. be back when we get our vac- free, so what are you wait-
special way to keep your best mo- Have a look at this great picture cine.” q ing for. Enjoy the experi-
ence. q