The document outlines a National Action Programme for Youth Development in Curaçao from 2015-2020. It aims to create opportunities for youth (ages 0-24) through collaboration between government, private sector, organizations, and youth. It identifies key issues facing youth in areas of education, health, work, housing, and safety. The program will establish working groups in these areas to develop concrete actions, and ensure youth participation and accountability through ongoing dialogue. The overall goal is a common vision for youth development based on evidence and cooperation across sectors.

1. JUNE 2015
NATIONAL ACTION PROGRAMME FOR
YOUTH DEVELOPMENT
2015-2020
INFORMATION BOOKLET
A Positive and Participative Approach to Development

2. TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION
EDUCATION AND CHILDCARE
HEALTH AND WELLBEING
WORK AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP
HOUSING AND LIVING ENVIRONMENT
SAFETY AND SECURITY
CONCLUDING REMARKS
1
4
7
10
13
15
17
The National Platform for Youth Development would like thank all youth
participants, professionals, experts, and facilitators, who participated in the
consultations, dialogues and expert sessions, for their valuable input.
Additionally, the Platform would also like to thank representatives of
organizations and the private sector for their ongoing support, and
particularly their contributions during the Round Table Meetings for Private
Financing.
We look forward to building a strong foundation for collaboration and
moving forward with you all.

3. INTRODUCTION
WHY?
The National Action Programme for
Youth Development is an innovative
and more effective approach to youth
development. Instead of identifying the
issues 0-24 year-olds (youth) face, and
creating policies accordingly, the
Programme focuses on creating
opportunities and possibilities for the
youth, through fostering collaboration
between government, private sector,
organizations and the youth itself. The
Programme is therefore not only about
the youth and for the youth, but ideas
from the youth are included to ensure
co-ownership and successful
execution.
KEY FACTS
of people in
Curaçao are
part of the
youth
31.6% of all families
live under the
poverty line
25%
of youth identify
with the LGBT
community
10%
of youth have a
mild intellectual
disability
16%
of youth suffer
from severe
physical/mental
condition
2.5%
1

4. HOW?
In order to ensure successful implementation, the National Action Programme
for Youth Development:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
UTILIZES an evidence-based approach, based on monitoring to track
progress and evaluate success;
SETS UP a National Youth Development Platform with a Secretari-
at to make important decisions and ensure completion;
USES an integral approach by setting up diverse working groups,
to make sure policies are made and implemented;
CREATES guidelines for financial cooperation including the devel-
opment of sustainable public-private partnerships;
ALLOWS for consistent dialogue between policy-makers, profession-
als, experts and particularly the youth to ensure accountability;
FUNCTIONS AS a working document, so that changes can be made
based on conditions and situations.
WHAT?
The National Action Programme for Youth Development:
-
-
-
creates common vision based on collaboration and co-ownership:
groups of youth, experts, professionals, and policy-makers were
consulted, and have validated the National Action Programme;
lays down concrete actions through using data and facts: the
programme is a working document and new actions can be added;
is all-encompassing: focuses on possibilities and opportunities for
all youth (0 - 24), emphasizing early childhood education (0-4 years),
opportunities for the mild intellectually disabled, and physcially and
mentally disabled, and recognizing challenges facing lesbian, gay,
bisexual and transgender (LGBT) youth.
2

5. THE FIVE AREAS OF FOCUS
EDUCATION
AND
CHILDCARE
HOUSING AND
LIVING
ENVIRONMENT
HEALTH
AND
WELLBEING
SAFETY
AND
SECURITY
WORK
AND
ENTREPRENEURSHIP
SUCCESS FACTORS
To ensure that the National Action Programme is carried out with the
necessary support, the Programme sets up:
1.
2.
3.
4.
A continued validation and accountability process through dia-
logues, and other participative approaches;
A National Platform for Youth Development, with an effective
secretariat tasked with ensuring the successful execution of the
Programme;
A system for integral working groups made up of representatives
of key ministries, organizations, and the private sector, aimed at
policy development.
A monitoring system consisting of diverse evidence-based evalua-
tion tools to measure progress on youth development.
3

6. EDUCATION &
CHILDCARE
childcare
centers
100
Elementary
Schools
50
VSBO
Schools
17
AGO
Schools
6
SBO
Schools
6
HAVO/
VWO
Schools
4
HBO/WO
Schools
2
All youth between 4-18 are subject,
by law, to attend school
Limited opportunities for after-
school activities for 12+ year olds
Reasonable opportunities for after-
school activities for 4-12 year olds
of 4-12 year-
olds attend
elementary
school
99%
of 0-4 year-
olds go to
daycare
50.3%
of youth
move on
to HAVO/
VWO
21%
of youth do
not receive
basic
qualificiation
23.3%
4

7. AREAS OF FOCUS
Causes and effects of different drop-out situations, and improving
collaboration between organizations that work to help drop-outs.
The overall quality and use of technology in all levels of the public
education system.
The efficiency and effectiveness of the education financing system.
Increasing the percentage of students moving from basic education to
HAVO/VWO.
Increasing the number of children attending pre-school (age 3).
Creating more opportunities for after-school education (especially for
12+ year olds) and a better overview of what is available and what is
subsidized by government.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
STEPS IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION
Organizations are developing
more hands-on curricula for
public schools (e.g. outdoor
education).
Organizations are working to pro-
vide students one-on-one
tutoring in different subject areas.
Government is working to make
digital devices and
technological learning material
available for every student.
Organizations and the private
sector are stimulating students
to become more engaged in
after-school activities.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5

8. POSSIBLE CONCRETE ACTIONS
Stakeholders should agree on a common definition for “drop-out,” to
improve collaboration between stakeholders who frequently work with
these individuals.
Improve the overall environment at schools, to ensure that students feel
safe and enjoy being there.
Digitalize the education system, through not only providing all students
with digital devices, but also making the curricula more interactive and
accessible.
Ensure that every middle and high school has its own student council, so
that students can become more democratically involved in their
opportunities at school.
Inventorize the available after-school activities for children 12+.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6

9. HEALTH &
WELLBEING
of males eat
fastfood at
least 4 times
per week
19%
of females eat
fastfood at
least 4 times
per week
28%
of youth eat
vegetables
and/or fruits
daily
30%
1 out of 10
children
ages 5 & 6 is
OVERWEIGHT
of youth
do sports or
exercise
regularly
42.2%
FEMALES have a tendency to
be OVERWEIGHT more often
than MALES
MALES tend to
EXERCISE more often
than FEMALES
of females use
contraceptives
incorrectly
42%
of all HIV/AIDS
infections are
undocumented
35%1 out of 3
teenage
pregnancies end
in ABORTION
1 out of 9
teenage girls
become
MOTHERS
before 20.
YOUNG PEOPLE find SELF-REFLECTION & EXPRESSION
difficult
1 out of 6
children
ages 10 & 11 is
OVERWEIGHT
1 out of 4
children
ages 15 & 16 is
OVERWEIGHT
1 out of 2
children
ages 18 - 24 is
OVERWEIGHT
There is a LACK of MOTIVATING ROLE MODELS
YOUNG PEOPLE have a NEGATIVE PERCEPTION of SOCIETY
SEXUAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS are INADEQUATE
7

10. AREAS OF FOCUS
Using public facilities, such as neighborhood/community centers,
sporting facilities, etc more effectively.
Encouraging a healthier lifestyle through stimulating exercise and
promoting healthy consumption choices.
Recognizing obesity as a chronic illness and raising awareness about it.
Improving sexual education programs, attuned to the youth’s
perceptions and based on their experiences.
Connecting youth with appropriate role models.
Better incorporating sports/exercise into school curricula.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
STEPS IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION
Government is working on a
program for healthier school
cafeterias.
Organizations provide sport
activities at low-cost and with
opportunities for underprivelaged
youth.
Organizations provide parenting
support for parents of sociallly/
emotionally challenged children
& LGBT youth.
Organizations provide teenage
mothers and fathers with
support in disadvantaged
neighborhoods.
1.
2.
3.
4.
8

11. Invest in community and neigborhood centers so that they can provide
more activities for the youth and population in general.
Make physical education/gym mandatory for all students (ages 4-18) in
all schools.
Increase assistance to socially/emotionally challenged youth, youngsters
with mild intellectual disabilities, and LGBT youth, through the creation
of a accessible office/hotline.
Promote healthy consumption choices in cafeterias rather than fastfood
choices.
1.
2.
3.
4.
POSSIBLE CONCRETE ACTIONS
9

12. WORK &
ENTREPRENEURSHIP
youth
unemployment
in 2011
24.7% 37.2%
9.8% 13%
Most YOUNG JOB SEEKERS
have a LOW EDUCATION
LEVEL (SBO 1 & 2)
EMPLOYERS explain that JOB SEEKERS reflect
POOR ATTITUDE and don’t possess the
BASIC SOCIAL SKILLS needed to be successful
youth
unemployment
in 2013
total
unemployment
in 2011
total
unemployment
in 2013
YOUNG PEOPLE don’t have
REALISTIC expectations of
SALARIES & OPPORTUNITIES
BRAIN DRAIN:
150 - 300 HAVO/VWO students leave EVERY YEAR
to study abroad and many REMAIN ABROAD
There are limited local INTERNSHIP POSSIBILITIES
to provide STUDENTS with
ACTUAL WORK EXPERIENCE.
10

13. AREAS OF FOCUS
Reducing youth unemployment and stimulating entrepreneurship.
Providing the youth with more realistic information of the current
labor market and situation.
Allowing the youth to be more competitive in the (international)
labor market: improving attidude and social competences (motiva-
tion, trustworthiness, and responsibility), designing internship programs
to build experience, and supporting talent development.
Improving the transfer between various levels of education, for ex-
ample from VSBO to SBO and from SBO to labor force.
Creating incentives for young professionals to combat Brain Drain.
Stimulating more hands-on experience through developing more op-
portunities for apprenticeships.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
STEPS IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION
Organizations support
programmes that assist in
developing entrepreneurial skills
and building knowledge on
(micro)-businesses at schools.
Government and various
organizations have apprentice-
ship programmes for specific
fields.
Organizations are raising
awareness on the current
situation of the labor market and
possible job opportunities.
1.
2.
3.
11

14. Increase cooperation between organizations, government and private
sector, to improve information available regarding the labor market.
Organize events to make the youth more aware of what specific jobs
entail and what skills are required to be successful.
Improve existing programmes that provide youth with assistance in
entrepreneurship, and develop a programme that can support existing
programmes and youth in setting up their own businesses and improving
entrepreneurial skills.
Set up student exchange schemes to allow youth from Curacao to work
and study in other countries at no extra expense.
Create incentives for youth studying abroad to return to Curacao (assist
in the payment of student loans, arrange housing/transportation, etc).
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
POSSIBLE CONCRETE ACTIONS
12

15. HOUSING & LIVING
ENVIRONMENT
of households
live under the
relative
poverty line
25.1%
FACILITIES are concentrated
in and around WILLEMSTAD
44%
of households
are run by
females & have
one income
POVERTY is measured by
RELATIVE POVERTY because of the
LARGE INCOME DISPARITY between households
NEIGHBORHOOD CENTERS
are not used OPTIMALLY
Limited AFTER SCHOOL
ACTIVITIES for children
12 years and older
Due to POVERTY, SPORTING
& CULTURAL ACTIVITIES are
NOT ACCESIBLE for all youth
13

16. AREAS OF FOCUS
Creating possibilities for
young people who, due to
circumstances, can no longer
live at home.
Strengthening social
cohesion in neighborhoods,
through improving services
offered by neighborhood
facilities.
Improving parenting support
and strengthening the
educational roles of families,
neighborhoods and community.
1.
2.
3.
STEPS IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION
Organizations hold events to
allow youth and adults to
recognize the importance of
community through approaches
that require them to work
together.
Government has an
internationally recognized
programme to provide parents
with support and information on
child-raising.
1.
2.
POSSIBLE CONCRETE ACTIONS
Support and invest in community and neigborhood centers so that they
can provide more sporting and cultural activities for the youth.
Facilitate the process, develop possibilities, and provide better support
to youth who choose to move into their own living space.
Develop and implement programs in neighborhoods to: (1) ensure that
children feel like part of the community, and (2) prevent them becoming
involved in criminal activities.
1.
2.
3.
14

17. SAFETY &
SECURITY
of the
population
is concerned
about safety
47%
Recently, INCREASED USE
OF VIOLENCE by the YOUTH
of the
population
thinks that they
could be a
victim of crime
29%
of victims of
crime report
the crime to
the police
46%
of all
detainees
are below
24 years old
29.4%
of all
detainees
are male
92%
of males have
(at some point
had) to deal
with domestic
violence
25%
of females have
(at some point
had) to deal
with domestic
violence
38%
NO YOUTH GANGS
on the island
POSITIVE FAMILY & LIVING
SITUATION reduces the
risk of CRIMINALITY
1 out of 3 VIOLENT ATTACKS
are committed by
PERPETRATORS below 16
MOST VICTIMS of
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
are FEMALE
In most cases, DOMESTIC
VIOLENCE is
UNREPORTED to POLICE
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
is a risk factor for
CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR
15

18. AREAS OF FOCUS
Reducing youth crime rates.
Encouraging safe
upbringing environments, free
from domestic violence, child
abuse, and sexual abuse.
Learning more about situations
and indicators for criminal
activity, to better prevent
youth from committing crimes.
1.
2.
3.
STEPS IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION
There is a National Plan for the
Prevention of Violence that is
supported by a variety of
stakeholders.
Organizations are working to
support victims of domestic
violence.
Research has recently started on
the causes and effects of youth
criminality in Curacao.
1.
2.
3.
Ensure the commitment and implementation of the actions in the
National Plan for the Prevention of Violence.
Start a campaign to promote healthier and happier homes and
environments for the youth.
Make information regarding social services more accessible for all.
Begin to do research and set-up a juvenile court system to better
prosecute child perpetrators.
Support research being done on the causes and effects of juvenile crime.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
POSSIBLE CONCRETE ACTIONS
16

19. CONCLUDING REMARKS
THINGS TO REMEMBER
The National Action Programme for Youth Development is a living document.
It is important that all stakeholders continue to give feedback and remain
involved in the process. If you have any feedback or suggestions, please do
feel free to share that with us using the appropriate channels.
CONTACT US
NEXT STEPS
Each of the five thematic areas will have a working group that will be guided
under the Secretariat for Youth Development. Each working group wil consist
of relevant experts and stakeholders from government, NGO’s, private sector
and youth representatives. To continue to generate input and feedback, there
will also be dialogues, and other types of participative sessions.
For more information, please do not hesitate to contact us! Send an email
to: dialogocur@gmail.com To stay up to date on the latest developments
regarding the Action Programme, like us on Facebook at Dialogo Nashonal
di Hubentut.
17

20. EMAIL: DIALOGOCUR@GMAIL.COM
DIALOGO NASHONAL DI HUBENTUT
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