THE HAGUE — On the eve of the elections Glenn Helberg, chairman of the Consultative Body Caribbean Dutch Citizens, makes an emotional appeal to politicians and citizens on Curaçao. “In the Netherlands I battle with the organization, which I may serve as chairman, against the prejudices that our children cannot make any headway, but one can’t expect us to fight a losing battle. This means if we don’t realize that the enhancing of our families is priority number one, besides a good economy, we will loose the battle”, Helberg wrote.

The OCaN-chairman, who is also a child psychologist, points out that the environment in which every child is raised is of incredible importance for his/her development. Unfortunately, many children on Curaçao grow up with a feeling of inferiority, he says. “What we nurture comes to expression. If we nurture equality, actual respect for the other and for oneself, we’ll express this. The same applies if we nurture identification with inferiority, being a victim and harbor suspicion. We are people who have talents and possibilities. That’s what we should express.” Helberg concludes with a direct appeal to politicians: “Leaders; work on a community in which you strive for opportunities for everyone. Enhancing our families, a responsible environment on all levels and social enterprise can make our island and the people on our island a success”, says the OCaN-chairman.