WILLEMSTAD--The governments of Curaçao, Aruba, and Bonaire have signed a joint agreement to strengthen the use of Papiamento in education, culture, and public policy. The agreement was formally sealed in July by Curaçao’s Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sports, Sithree van Heydoorn, on behalf of the Country of Curaçao.
The signing marks an important step in regional cooperation to preserve and promote the mother tongue shared by the three islands. Minister Van Heydoorn emphasized that the move goes beyond symbolism: “By investing together in our mother tongue, we not only strengthen our culture, but also our mutual solidarity.”
The agreement outlines cooperation in several key areas, including language policy, educational materials and methodologies, scientific research, and cultural initiatives centered around Papiamento. The first joint projects are already being prepared and will be implemented in close collaboration among the three governments.
Papiamento is not just a means of communication, it is a vital expression of identity for Aruba, Curaçao, and Bonaire, each of which has developed its own unique variant of the language. With this agreement, the islands aim to work together on the protection, promotion, and further development of Papiamento.
The signing forms part of a broader commitment to intensify regional cooperation in areas that directly impact language, culture, and education, ensuring that Papiamento continues to thrive for future generations.
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