Meet the newest member of our team!
As of September 1st, Kirina Hoijer has started as a Research and Education Officer for Kingdom Relations. She provides support for the newly established Knowledge Centre for Kingdom Relations, the postgraduate course on Kingdom Affairs and the research team associated with the Chair of Kingdom Relations.
Meet Kirina!
I am Kirina Hoijer, 25 years old; I was born in Aruba and grew up in Curaçao. Six years ago-like many other students from the Caribbean islands-I took the step of moving to the Netherlands to study, develop myself further, and pursue my ambitions.
I studied European Studies at The Hague University of Applied Sciences, where I obtained my bachelor’s degree. Afterward, seeking to deepen my knowledge and specialize, I pursued a master’s in public administration at Leiden University, specializing in Economics and Governance—and successfully completed the program this summer!
Active
Alongside my studies, I have always been involved in extracurricular activities. When I lived in Curaçao, for instance, I participated in the Youth Parliament. I wanted to stay involved after moving to the Netherlands as well. During my bachelor’s studies, I worked as a student assistant for the Caribbean Empowerment Network (CarE) at The Hague University of Applied Sciences. There, I helped organize information sessions and gatherings designed to support students with a Caribbean background in finding a community in the Netherlands and creating a sense of a “home away from home.”
Europe
I have also been active at the European level. For example, I represented young people from Curaçao within the OCT Youth Network, the youth network for the European Union’s Overseas Countries and Territories. In addition, I have worked as a freelance project coordinator and completed an internship at the Cabinet of the Minister Plenipotentiary of Curaçao in The Hague, where I subsequently took up a position as a junior policy advisor.
I have consistently sought to engage with topics relevant to the Kingdom, including during my studies. For instance, for my bachelor’s thesis, I investigated how young people in Curaçao could be more involved in the European elections and how their political participation could be encouraged.
Next step
Finally, I am particularly looking forward to enjoying my work and collaborating with professionals from all parts of the Kingdom. It is truly special for me to hold a position that brings together so many of my interests, experiences, and passions. My studies, my previous work, and my personal commitment to the Kingdom all converge in this role. That is why this position feels like a wonderful next step for me.
