The working visit began on Monday, September 28, with a meeting with the Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations, together with the Governors John Soliano of Bonaire and Alida Francis of Sint Eustatius. The meeting provided an opportunity for the three public entities to connect and engage with BZK on matters of mutual interest.
Governor Levenstone, together with the Governors of Bonaire and Sint Eustatius, visited the Nationaal Programma Rotterdam Zuid (NPRZ) as part of its periodic consultations in the European Netherlands.
The visit provided the Governors with an opportunity to learn more about NPRZ’s long-term, integrated approach to addressing social and economic challenges in Rotterdam South. The programme brings together government, education, employers, housing organisations, care institutions and other partners to improve opportunities for residents and strengthen the area over the long term.
Discussions focused on how collaboration is organised across areas including education, employment, housing, quality of life and socio-economic development, as well as what is needed to sustain effective partnerships over an extended period.
Governor Levenstone continued the visit with a programme hosted by Rotterdam Mayor Carola Schouten. Schouten previously served as Minister of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality from 2017 to 2022 and as Minister for Poverty Policy, Participation and Pensions from 2022 to 2024, during which time she was involved in matters concerning the social minimum for the Caribbean Netherlands. The consultation brought together the Island Governors of the Caribbean Netherlands and other local government representatives, providing an opportunity to exchange views on local governance, cooperation, and shared interests.
Governor Levenstone also met with the State Commission against Discrimination and Racism, an independent body that advises the government on issues related to discrimination and racism. Present for the meeting was Joyce Sylvester, Chair of the State Commission against Discrimination and Racism together with Rick Lawson President of the Netherlands Institute for Human Rights. Discussions touched on personal experiences and matters of equality, as well as observed challenges related to discrimination and racism in the Netherlands and the Caribbean Netherlands, including their impact on life within the islands. During the engagement, the book Discriminatie Doorbreken was presented by Sylvester to the Governors of Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba. The report, based on four years of research, examines structural discrimination within government and offers recommendations to strengthen prevention, equality, equal treatment, and citizen participation in policymaking.
On September 29 and 30, Governor Levenstone attended the VNG Annual Congress, held in the Achterhoek and jointly hosted by the municipalities of Oost Gelre and Winterswijk. The main plenary programme took place in Lichtenvoorde, with additional activities and the evening programme held in Winterswijk.
The two-day congress brought together approximately 3,000 municipal administrators and local government professionals from across the Netherlands. It provided Governor Levenstone with an opportunity to connect and exchange with counterparts and participate in discussions and activities focused on local government and public administration.
As part of the congress, the VNG also hosted a Caribbean lunch, bringing together representatives from all six Caribbean public entities of the Kingdom.
During the second day, Governor Levenstone, together with the Governors of Bonaire and Sint Eustatius, met with Mr. Hubert Bruls, Chair of the Safety Council and Mayor of Nijmegen, to continue discussions on strengthening collaboration between the safety regions in the Netherlands and the BES islands. The discussions included climate safety and other areas of mutual interest, providing an opportunity to share knowledge, exchange experiences, and strengthen cooperation in areas relevant to the responsibilities of the Island Governors and the effective functioning of the public entities
Following these engagements, Governor Levenstone, together with Executive Council took part in a discussion with the Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations (BZK), alongside representatives from Bonaire and Sint Eustatius, regarding the €30 million funding. The discussion focused on funding to help reduce the cost of living on the islands.
The meetings form part of Governor Levenstone’s ongoing engagement with Dutch government and local government partners, providing opportunities to strengthen cooperation and exchange knowledge and experiences.
Governor Levenstone’s working visit to the Netherlands continues today in Texel, where he will meet with several mayors from the Wadden Islands.
