Educational programmes in the Caribbean Netherlands

ProDemos explains the rules and the importance of our liberal democracy and shows what you can do yourself to exert influence in the Kingdom of the Netherlands. ProDemos believes in learning by doing, preferably in the exact places where ‘it all happens’. We offer active programmes in which everyone can participate.

Primary, secondary, and secondary vocational schools in the special municipalities of Bonaire, Saba, and Sint-Eustatius can turn to ProDemos for the educational programmes Democracity, the Democracy Game, and a Court Role-Play. Read more about these programmes below.

Democracity

During the educational programme Democracity, pupils work together to build their own ideal island: will they opt for hotels or lots of greenery? Would they prefer a hospital or a secondary vocational school? The budget is limited, so unfortunately, not all wishes can be executed. Time to decide which facilities will get a place on the island! To reach agreement on these choices, the pupils establish various political parties, write short party manifestos, and engage in debates.

At the end of Democracity, two real Island Council members join in, to whom the pupils can ask all their questions. They can also raise issues that are relevant on their island and that are close to their hearts. For the Island Council members, this moment gives them the opportunity to actively engage with young people and hear what matters to them.

Democracity is played using a playmat and blocks with facilities. In two hours, the pupils experience that consultation, argumentation and consensus are necessary in a democratic society. They experience how the Island Council works, as well as democratic decision-making in general, in an accessible and playful manner.

About this programme

  • This programme is intended for:
    • Upper primary education
    • Lower secondary education
    • Practical education
  • Number of participants: consult the Registrar’s Office in advance regarding the group size. Do not combine groups (of different levels).
  • This programme is generally held in the Island Council meeting room.

General

  • ProDemos offers this programme free of charge.
  • The entire programme is led by a local lecturer trained by ProDemos.
  • The programme is in English (Saba and Sint-Eustatius) or Dutch/Papiamento (Bonaire).
  • Ensure that at least one supervising teacher who knows the pupils is present during the programme.

Interested?

For more information and application, please contact project manager Hester IJgosse via h.ijgosse@prodemos.nl.

The Democracy Game

During the Democracy Game students take on the role of Island Council members and make (fictional) decisions regarding a plan for a festival on the island. Is Sunday a good option? And is loud music permitted after midnight? To reach an agreement, the students unite into various political parties and engage in debate with one another.

In two hours, the students experience that consultation, argumentation and consensus are necessary in a democratic society. They learn how political decision-making works in the public entity, including the process of negotiating and lobbying to achieve majorities.

At the end of the Democracy Game, (two) real Island Council members join in, to whom the students can ask all their questions. They can also raise issues that are relevant on their island and that are close to their hearts. At the same time, this moment provides the Island Council members with an opportunity to actively engage with young people and hear what matters to them.

About this programme

  • This programme is intended for:
    • Lower and upper secondary education
    • All years of secondary vocational education
  • Number of participants: consult the Registrar’s Office in advance regarding the group size. Do not combine groups (of different levels).
  • This programme is generally held in the Island Council meeting room.

General

  • ProDemos offers this programme free of charge.
  • The entire programme is led by a local lecturer trained by ProDemos.
  • The programme is in English (Saba and Sint-Eustatius) or Dutch (Bonaire).
  • Ensure that at least one supervising teacher who knows the students is present during the programme.

Interested?

For more information and application, please contact project manager Hester IJgosse via h.ijgosse@prodemos.nl.

Court Role-Play

Independent judiciary is one of the pillars of our constitutional state. During this role-play game, secondary school students and secondary vocational students learn more about criminal law and the administration of justice on the BES islands by reenacting a court case involving nightlife violence. The students are assigned various roles. For instance, there is a victim that gives a statement, a lawyer that assists the defendant a court clerk who takes notes and of course the judges who have to reach a verdict.

Hint: Attend a hearing of the Joint Court of Justice after this Court Role-Play to see the administration of justice in action.

About this programme

  • This programme is intended for:
    • Lower and upper secondary education
    • All years of secondary vocational education
  • Number of participants: consult the Registrar’s Office in advance regarding the group size. Do not combine groups (of different levels).
  • This programme generally takes place at school.

General

  • ProDemos offers this programme free of charge.
  • The entire programme is led by a local lecturer trained by ProDemos.
  • The programme is in English (Saba and Sint-Eustatius) or Dutch (Bonaire).
  • Ensure that at least one supervising teacher who knows the students is present during the programme.

Interested?

For more information and application, please contact project manager Hester IJgosse via h.ijgosse@prodemos.nl.