For the fourth edition of ‘Bou di Watapana,’ we will tackle the ongoing issue of brain drain in the Dutch Caribbean, where many young professionals leave the islands for education abroad, often facing the tough decision of whether to return. At the same time, European Dutch workers are often hired for positions that could be filled by the very students the islands invested in. How can we reverse this trend? What are the challenges and opportunities for those who wish to return and contribute to their communities?
To explore these questions, we’ve invited speakers from different stages of their careers to share their personal journeys, insights, and solutions for empowering the islands, fostering opportunities for returning professionals, and strengthening local economies. Don’t miss this thought-provoking and timely discussion, as we examine the intersection of migration, employment, and the future of the Dutch Caribbean.
More about the invited speakers
Tanja Fraai (1971) is director of Stichting WeConnect, an educational foundation that she co-founded back in 2013. As such, she focuses on empowering Caribbean students and young professionals on their study path and careers, both in the Netherlands as on the Caribbean islands. She also has her own PR and recruitment company, aimed at bringing local talent back to the islands: WeConnect Works. Tanja studied Spanish Language and Literature at UvA and has been living in Amsterdam ever since. Her father and extended family Fraai are from Curaçao, the island she visit regularly for work and leisure.
Pam Evertz (1990) is an enthusiastic and practical public administration expert with a deep-rooted interest in what drives people, how policies are made, and how decisions are formed. She is someone who brings balance, always sees opportunities, and enjoys working with others on impactful solutions that make a difference on both individual and systemic levels. Pam was born and raised in the Netherlands, but her roots lie in Bonaire, where she later lived and worked. In Bonaire, she learned to unite her two cultural worlds within herself, enabling her to build bridges. Through her own experiences—as an ambitious young professional and as the former coordinator of the TOP Bonaire traineeship—Pam has unique insight into the challenges, dilemmas, and opportunities faced by island youth.
Naïlah, born and raised on Aruba, is an ophthalmologist with a deep connection to the Caribbean islands. After 16 years in the Netherlands, Naïlah is determined to return to Aruba to continue her career there and contribute to her home. Naïlah also has roots on Bonaire and during a work exchange on Bonaire for the hospital (Fundashon Mariadal), she experienced a welcoming environment in the work field and got to enjoy the island’s relaxed pace and community spirit. She truly hopes that she gets a chance to contribute to the islands eye care.
