Professor Wouter Veenendaal investigates the quality of democratic representation in the Kingdom, both within the various constituent parts of the Kingdom and at the broader level of Kingdom relations. The central research questions: How are residents of the Dutch Caribbean islands represented by politicians on the islands and within the Kingdom, and what shortcomings can be identified in this regard? How can democratic citizenship and democratic representation of citizens on the islands and within the Kingdom be promoted and improved?

Four lines of research

The primary aim of the chair is to safeguard and expand academic research on the Kingdom and Kingdom relations. This is done on the basis of four lines of research: 1) the character of politics and democracy on the Caribbean islands in the Kingdom itself; 2) the democratic representation of the Caribbean islands in the Kingdom; 3) the perception of Kingdom relations in the European Netherlands; and 4) comparative research on other non-sovereign territories in the Caribbean and worldwide.

Cooperation with universities and scholars in the Caribbean islands

The second goal of the chair is to strengthen research and education cooperation with universities and scholars in the Caribbean islands. The chair has therefore established new collaborations with universities on Aruba, Curaçao and St. Maarten. In addition, the chair will develop new educational initiatives on Kingdom Relations, both for people on the Caribbean islands and in the European Netherlands.

Research assistants

On Aruba, Curaçao, and Sint Maarten, a research assistant has been recruited to assist with the preparation and execution of research work and to act as a bridge between these islands and the chair holder. The research assistants will also set up a network and organize public lectures, seminars and workshops on the islands.

Pamela Jimenez Ablanque

Pamela Jimenez Ablanque was born in Colombia and raised in Curaçao and New York. She obtained her bachelor’s degree in International Financial Management & Control from The Hague University of Applied Sciences in 2017 and her master’s degree in Accounting, Auditing & Control from Erasmus University Rotterdam in 2018. In 2024, Pamela founded Fundashon Wak Otro, which developed a mobile app that makes government decisions accessible and transparent to everyone, while simultaneously increasing public participation. Pamela is familiar with the principles of Deep Democracy, and she is also deployed on other research assignments and training activities through SRA-Caribbean. For the Chair on Kingdom Relations, she is research assistant on Curaçao and Bonaire.

Ghislaine Nicolaas

Ghislaine Nicolaas is the chief of staff to the Minister of Finance, Economic Affairs and Primary Sector of the Government of Aruba, she has more than 8 years of experience as a diplomat having worked at the Department of Foreign Affairs of Aruba on United Nations affairs, regional affairs and economic diplomacy. Having studied at the University of Aruba and the University of Geneva, her background is in the governance of international, regional and national organizations and institutions. As the research assistant to the Kingdom Relations Chair on Democratic Representation, she is beginning her academic career as a researcher and entering academia. Ghislaine is research assistant on Aruba and Bonaire for the Chair.

Support

Tanja Fraai

Tanja Fraai (1971) works as a communications and networking adviser for the Knowledge Centre for Kingdom Relations. Tanja studied Spanish Language and Literature and Cultural Studies at the University of Amsterdam. She has worked as an editor, reporter and presenter at the Dutch broadcasting organisation Wereldomroep on programmes focusing on the Caribbean part of the Kingdom and Suriname. She also founded the WeConnect Foundation, an educational foundation run by and for Caribbean students. Through her company ‘Fraaiwerkt’, Tanja works on various projects centred on communication and the Kingdom.

Kirina Hoijer

Kirina Hoijer was born in Aruba and grew up in Curaçao. In 2020, she moved to the Netherlands to continue her studies. She obtained her Bachelor’s degree in European Studies at The Hague University of Applied Sciences and subsequently completed a Master’s degree in Public Administration, specialising in Economics and Governance, at Leiden University. Kirina previously worked as a junior policy adviser, where she focused primarily on European affairs and relations between Curaçao and the European Union. She also represented young people from Curaçao within the OCT Youth Network, the youth network for the European Union’s Overseas Countries and Territories.

Since September 2026, Kirina has been working as a research and teaching assistant in Kingdom Relations at Leiden University. In this role, she supports the research activities of the Chair in Kingdom Relations, the development of the Kingdom Relations Knowledge Centre and the organisation of the postgraduate course in Kingdom Affairs. Drawing on her personal background and professional experience, she attaches great importance to connecting knowledge and different perspectives within the Kingdom.

Share on Facebook Share by Bluesky Share on LinkedIn Share by WhatsApp Share by Mastodon