Aruba Military Training Program Opens Recruitment Again

Aruba's Minister of Education, Endy Croes, convened meetings between the Ministry of Education, the Department of Education Aruba (DEA), and MAVO secondary schools to evaluate and strengthen the current educational policy. The gatherings are focused on reviewing and improving the curriculum within secondary education on the island. Intensive consultation sessions scheduled for September and October will be used to concretize the revised policy and curriculum framework. The initiative falls under the broader Learning Cities Aruba program, which aims to develop Aruba as a city of continuous learning and education improvement. The collaboration signals a structured, multi-stakeholder approach to reforming secondary education at the MAVO level. The outcome of these consultations is expected to shape the direction of secondary schooling policy in Aruba going forward. This effort reflects the government's commitment to strengthening educational standards and aligning the curriculum with modern learning goals.

Vicky Arens, Director of Cas di Cultura — Aruba's cultural center — traveled to the Netherlands to present at a symposium titled 'REPAIR: Learning Cultural Justice from the ABC Islands.' Her presentation focused on the work of Cas di Cultura in relation to Aruba's colonial heritage. She also introduced an upcoming project tied to the symposium's broader themes of cultural justice and historical reckoning. The event brought together perspectives from Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao — the ABC Islands — in a dialogue with Dutch institutions. The symposium reflects a growing regional and international conversation about acknowledging and addressing the cultural and historical impacts of Dutch colonialism in the Caribbean. Arens' participation positions Cas di Cultura as a key institutional voice in that ongoing discussion.

The Mabon Commission in Aruba has launched a new mural art project aimed at educating, informing, and raising awareness within the community on various social issues. The initiative is part of a broader effort to transform the Mabon neighborhood through creative expression and active civic participation. Youth involvement is a central component of the project, with young residents playing a key role in shaping and contributing to the artwork. The collaboration reflects a community-driven approach to addressing social themes through visible, public art. By embedding meaningful messages into the neighborhood's physical landscape, organizers hope to spark dialogue and foster a stronger sense of identity and belonging among residents. The project represents a growing trend in Aruban neighborhoods using culture and art as tools for community development.