October 10, 2010, till October 10, 2024

October 10, 2010, till October 10, 2024

October 10, 2024

Introduction

Good afternoon, everyone. It’s October 10th, 2024, and we are now 14 years into our journey as the autonomous country of Cura?ao. Looking back to 2010, we were filled with hope and ambition, ready to chart our course as a new nation. But where do we stand today? On that day, I was in parliament and the evening on Brion Plein as an invitee for the ceremonies. A few days earlier, Dick Drayer interviewed me and asked how I felt. I answered That it was all surreal. Going back to that interview, deep inside, I knew that trouble lay ahead.

Many years ago, I attended presentations by renowned thinkers like Peter Drucker and Peter Senge. They always seemed to fall into the trap of reiterating their achievements, and I vowed never to do the same. However, it is more complex than I thought.

Then again, a colleague recently told me I come up with too many new topics and should spend more time on one subject.

Instead, I want to reflect on where we are economically, socially, and geopolitically today.

2024

We have emerged from the shadow of the pandemic that hit us hard from 2020 to 2022, and while tourism has led the way in our recovery, we have become a monoculture economy—unsustainable in more ways than one. We used to have four to five economic pillars: the refinery, the financial sector, trade, the harbor, tourism, and the free zone. We have chosen the path of concrete and asphalt, yet this approach needs to shift towards a more sustainable model. Socially, we are the poorest nation in the Kingdom of the Netherlands, with the highest levels of inequality. The problematic implementation of the Landspakket has not adjusted our course.

Geopolitically, we are located off the coast of Venezuela and face significant challenges. We are now an associate member of CARICOM. The benefits of this association are limited because we do not have access to the Caribbean market, which is granted to full members. Our oil refinery has transformed into a blending plant because we could not find a reliable partner due to corruption. Aqualectra’s ambition is to achieve a renewable energy penetration of at least 70% by 2027. Renewable energy accounted for roughly 30% of the company’s production in 2023. Our civil service is weakened, and corruption is a growing concern. Education, too, is a challenge, with 60% of our population lacking vocational or higher education. Besides a baseline study, not much has changed. Our health care is one of the most expensive in the world, and the population is aging. The opening of the CMC in November 2019, in the middle of the pandemic, has aggravated the situation instead of alleviating it.

Inequality is a big concern. In 2011, the Gini coefficient was 0.42. Since 2016, at least 30% of people have lived below the poverty line. About 60% of the households had a monthly income of below 3000 guilders. The fact that the unemployment rate was under 7% in 2024, according to the Central Bureau of Statistics, has not changed much of this picture because tourism generates mostly low-paying jobs, and there is now a shortage of employable people.

We are feeling the consequences of the climate crisis and doing very little about it. The temperature is extremely high. Bandabou has been inundated several times this year, and the sea is warm and rising. The frequency and pattern of hurricanes seem to be changing.

Next year, we face another pivotal election in our trajectory. From 2010 to now, we have had about ten governments, which indicates significant political instability.

As much as I wish not to mention it, the historical fact is that on May 5, 2013, a member of parliament was murdered in public just before five o'clock in the afternoon on a public beach. In 2015, the minister of Justice declared that the underworld has penetrated the world above. At least three ministers are or were behind bars, and several members of the parliament are felons.

Ten Scandals from 2010

Aqualectra, Curoil, and Curgas Mismanagement

Around 300 million guilders vanished due to poor governance at these critical utility companies. Despite the massive financial losses, no one was held responsible, and the public was left to bear the consequences, with no prosecutions or reforms in sight.

CPA’s Panama Fiasco

The Cura?ao Ports Authority (CPA) ventured into Panama, aiming for growth, only to retreat later. This costly gamble wasted capital and cost Cura?ao valuable opportunities in one of Latin America’s busiest commercial centers, hurting the island’s strategic position.

RdK Refinery Search

Millions of guilders were spent in the futile search for a partner to take over the refinery operations at Refinería di Kòrsou (RdK). The prolonged search drained public resources while no concrete solutions were found to secure the refinery’s future.

Giro Bank’s Collapse

Giro Bank’s sudden implosion left thousands of depositors without their savings. Despite early signs of financial instability, regulators failed to act in time, resulting in widespread personal losses and financial chaos for many citizens.

Ennia Pension Scandal

Ennia's main shareholder emptied the pension fund, endangering the retirement savings of roughly 30,000 people. This scandal left the government scrambling to cover the gap with public funds, burdening taxpayers with the repair of the damage caused by corporate greed.

Privatization of the Telecommunication

With no clear explanation, the whole telecommunication was sold to a foreign company.

New Hospital Budget Overrun

The construction of the new hospital dragged on two years longer than expected, with costs ballooning by 200 million guilders. This massive budget overrun sparked criticism over the government’s handling of the project and its lack of financial oversight.

BVZ Financial Crisis

The national health insurance fund, BVZ, was financially depleted, threatening the healthcare system's sustainability. Mismanagement and poor oversight left the fund's reserves dangerously low, putting the entire population at risk of future healthcare shortages.

New National Emblem

In 2022, a competition to design a new national emblem was launched. It went completely wrong, and the investigation report remains confidential to this day.

The Campo Alegre Purchase

In a highly controversial decision, the government bought Campo Alegre, the notorious prostitution center. This move stirred public debate, with critics questioning both the ethics and the high cost associated with acquiring the infamous site.

Corruption at the Housing Foundation

A major scandal rocked the public housing foundation when it was revealed that senior officials had manipulated contracts and resources intended for affordable housing projects. This corruption left many citizens struggling to find homes while a few pocketed illicit gains.

Ten most pressing problems in Cura?ao in 2024

I created a list of the most pressing problems in Cura?ao, with a brief context for each. These issues are interconnected, and addressing them requires a comprehensive, long-term approach considering social, economic, and environmental factors. We propose the vision of Cura?ao 2030.

1. Poor Quality of Governance Governance in Cura?ao suf-fers from inefficiency, lack of transparency, and a disconnect between leaders and citizens. Political agendas often over-shadow critical national concerns, leading to slow decision-making and inadequate responses to urgent challenges like climate crises and social issues.

2. Unbalanced Economy Cura?ao's economy is overly reliant on tourism, making it vulnerable to external shocks. Economic diversification into sectors like technology, finance, and green energy is necessary for long-term stability.

3. Climate Change and Energy Transition As a small island, Cura?ao is highly vulnerable to climate change impacts like rising sea levels and extreme weather. The island is also transitioning to renewable energy sources, which are critical for ensuring sustainability and reducing environmental risks. Many resources have been wasted trying to reopen the refinery, which is over a hundred years old and has been out of function for about five years.

4. Poverty and Inequality Widespread income inequality leaves many in a cycle of poverty, with limited access to opportunities for social mobility. Economic disparities exacerbate social divisions and contribute to crime and other societal issues.

5. Housing Shortage A lack of affordable housing, worsened by rising property prices due to tourism and foreign invest-ment, has made it difficult for many locals to find suitable homes. This issue is closely tied to broader economic inequalities.

6. Education Deficiencies The education system faces challenges in quality and accessibility, with a large portion of the population lacking vocational or higher education. Without a skilled workforce, economic diversification and development remain difficult.

7. Healthcare Access Access to affordable, quality healthcare is a growing concern, especially for low-income households. Limited resources and long waiting times make it difficult for many to receive adequate care. An aging population and the exhaustion of social security funds further compound this issue, straining the healthcare system even more.

8. Infrastructure Problems Aging infrastructure, including roads, utilities, and public transportation, limits economic growth and reduces quality of life. Significant investment is required to modernize and improve these essential services.

9. Corruption Corruption undermines governance and public trust, with allegations of illicit money influencing politics and criminal elements infiltrating institutions. This weakens the effectiveness of government reforms and public services.

10. Crime and Insecurity Noticeable crime rates, mainly linked to drug trafficking and organized crime, contribute to a sense of insecurity on the island. Crime is often fueled by socioeconomic disparities and corruption, making it harder to tackle effectively.

From where do we come, and who are we?

We are a Small Island Developing State (SIDS) with a colonial and slavery history, which has shaped us. We are a multicultural, multilingual society. We like to believe we are a resilient melting pot, but we live in bubbles.

The King asked for forgiveness for the slavery past on July 1, 2023, marking 150 years since the abolition of slavery in Cura?ao. However, I have not noticed that we have granted him forgiveness. And not much has happened to start the healing process.

We are still struggling with our identity, but we have become a unique, resilient, multitalented people who have yet to reach their potential. Our potential is best illustrated by our students abroad, what many call our brain drain, in the Netherlands and elsewhere, and our athletes worldwide, especially in Major League Baseball. We need to co-create a vision for Cura?ao 2035 and beyond.

Our past has influenced our DNA or software programming. Our organization and the people in it behave like a colonial plantation. The organization is the domain of a small group, and top-down hierarchical fear-inducing fear controls it to extract wealth and export it (Marcha & Verweel, 2003). We need to reprogram this software in a more inclusive, wealth-creating organization.

2035

But despite these challenges, Cura?ao has opportunities. The ICT sector, creative industries, agriculture, and energy hold promise for the export market. Amid the climate crisis and energy transition, we must evolve into a human-centered, technology-driven society, what others and I call Society 5.0. This is a more inclusive and equitable society living in harmony with nature by implementing a circular economy.

What must we do?

Cura?ao is more than just a location. It is a way of life about adopted people all over the globe who share this lifestyle virtually and physically meet in Cura?ao or, for example, in Rotterdam during the summer carnival. It is an island beyond 444 square kilometers. We call it 444+. It is Cura?ao for the world.

Cura?ao is a living lab for social and technological innovation. Fabian Custeau's start of construction of the underwater lab Proteus in 2024 once more proves this point.

The ten key actions the island must take

Given the ten challenges and the vision of Cura?ao 2030, here are ten key actions the island must take:

1. Improve Governance and Leadership Establish transparent, accountable, and inclusive governance. Invest in leadership development and foster open communication between the government and citizens to rebuild trust and address national challenges.

2. Clean Up Cura?ao—Physically and Mentally Launch a national cleanup effort focusing on environmental health and societal attitudes. Promote environmental responsibility and personal accountability to foster a mindset of active citizenship and collective well-being.

3. Fight Corruption at All Levels Enforce strict anti-corruption measures, ensure transparency in public administration, and educate the public and officials on the consequences of corruption. Strengthen anti-corruption institutions for better enforcement.

4. Strengthen the Rule of Law and Combat Crime. Enhance law enforcement, judiciary, and community policing to address organized crime. Implement preventive programs for youth and marginalized groups while ensuring a transparent and fair judicial process.

5. Reduce Poverty and Inequality. Implement social programs to tackle income inequality, expand access to quality education, and create job opportunities. Ensure equitable access to resources and address systemic disparities that perpetuate poverty.

6. Overhaul the Education System Reform education to align with the needs of a modern economy, emphasizing technology, green energy, and digital skills. Expand access to vocational and higher education to build a skilled workforce for the future.

7. Diversify the Economy. Promote sectors such as technology, renewable energy, and sustainable agriculture to reduce reliance on tourism and oil. Support entrepreneurship, particularly among small local businesses, to foster innovation.

8. Solve the Housing Crisis. Develop affordable housing programs and limit real estate speculation by foreign investors. Focus on sustainable urban development that caters to the needs of low- and middle-income citizens.

9. Ensure Universal Access to Quality Healthcare. Strengthen healthcare by expanding access, improving quality, and investing in medical technology and telemedicine. Prioritize the needs of lower-income communities and address capacity shortages.

10. Develop a Climate Resilience Strategy. Implement climate adaptation measures to mitigate the impact of rising sea levels and extreme weather. Focus on sustainability through renewable energy, green infrastructure, and environmentally conscious development practices.

Conclusion

Our success will depend on learning to collaborate—both at home and across borders. This is Cura?ao 5.0, where we embrace innovation and create the future we deserve. There is no brain drain; via ICT, all brains are connected, and hence, there is only brain gain by connecting. This conference and the people and technology behind it prove my point. A human-centered society driven by technology is possible.

While learning, we should partner with the Netherlands, as many of our brains are here, and there is a massive pull of knowledge there.

Miguel Goede