Conversations in the Caribbean parts of the Kingdom about heritage and museums are increasingly focusing on cultural artefacts that were involuntarily surrendered during the colonial era. Hence, the Ministers of the Ministerial Four-Country Consultation decided to set up a working group for collections from the colonial context. As a result, museums and heritage institutions in the Caribbean parts of the Kingdom will have more influence on how these collections are managed.
In the coming year, the working group will engage in discussions with museums and other stakeholders. Together, they will create a plan for the cooperation between museums and the management of the collections. Also, they will establish arrangements on the process of the return of colonial collections. It is important to the Ministers that this plan ties in well with what the islands are already doing in the context of the impact of the history of slavery.
Every island and country, i.e. the autonomous countries, the special municipalities as well as the European Netherlands, will be represented in this working group. Each island and country will appoint two members: an official representative and a subject-matter expert. Expertise in the area of colonial collections, cultural cooperation or museum and collection management is preferred for participation in the working group. The working group is currently in the process of being established.
The working group will issue its advice to the Ministerial Four-Country Consultation in November 2026.
In preparation to the constructing of the working group Arminda Franken made an initial assessment report based on findings on Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao, Saba, Sint Eustatius and Sint Maarten. The report is commissioned by the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science. Firstly, the aim of this report was to acquire insight into the needs of local heritage organizations. Secondly to inventarize collections and challenges. Thirdly, to make propositions on inter-island collaborations and with the European part of the Netherlands.