page-header

About Us

Our team of research assistants in Curaçao, Aruba, and Sint Maarten work together with local partners to map citizen representation, the challenges within the democratic process, and the position of the islands within the Kingdom.

In addition, we strengthen collaboration with universities and researchers on the islands and develop new educational initiatives on Kingdom Relations for both the Caribbean part of the Kingdom and the European Netherlands.

Prof. Dr. Wouter Veenendaal
Chair holder, Head of Research team
Wouter Veenendaal is by special-appointment professor of Kingdom Relations and an associate professor of political science at Leiden University. His research focuses on the relationship between population size and democracy, with a particular emphasis on small states and territories, including the Caribbean islands within the Kingdom.
Ghislaine Nicolaas
Kingdom Chair Representative for Aruba and Bonaire (Research Assistant)
Ghislaine Nicolaas is the chief of staff to the Minister of Finance, Economic Affairs and Primary Sector of the Government of Aruba, she has more than 8 years of experience as a diplomat having worked at the Department of Foreign Affairs of Aruba on United Nations affairs, regional affairs and economic diplomacy.
Pamela Jimenez Ablanque
Kingdom Chair Representative for Curaçao and Bonaire (Research Assistant)
Pamela Jimenez Ablanque was born in Colombia and raised in Curaçao and New York. She obtained her bachelor’s degree in International Financial Management & Control from The Hague University of Applied Sciences in 2017 and her master’s degree in Accounting, Auditing & Control from Erasmus University Rotterdam in 2018
Tanja Fraai
Communication & Network Officer
Tanja Fraai is the communication and network officer of the Knowledge Center for Kingdom Relations. She holds a Master in Spanish Language and Literature and lives in Amsterdam. Tanja has been working in the Kingdom relationship for over twenty years and she has a strong and extensive network on both sides of the ocean.
Kirina Hoijer
Research and Education Officer
Kirina Hoijer is a Research and Education Officer for Kingdom Relations at Leiden University. Born in Aruba and raised in Curaçao, she has a strong personal and professional connection to the Caribbean parts of the Kingdom. She holds a bachelor’s degree in European Studies from The Hague University of Applied Sciences and a master’s degree in Public Administration, specializing in Economics and Governance, from Leiden University.
In her role, she contributes to the Knowledge Centre for Kingdom Relations, the Postgraduate Course on Kingdom Affairs, and the activities connected to the Chair of Kingdom Relations.