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Curacao and International Political and Economic Inclusion
Written by Neelam J. Melwani
Growing up in Curacao, I always found watching the news to be disheartening. It was difficult to see various countries, both bigger and smaller than Curacao, be represented in international forums like the UN, WTO and CARICOM, while trying to understand why Curacao was not. As I began to learn […]
Author Archive
Neelam J. Melwani
I am a "Yiu di Korsou," literally translating to a child of Curacao. Born and raised on the small island in the southern Caribbean, I was able to explore a very unique culture, influenced by Latin American and Caribbean traditions, with a historic European cultural influence, and the effects of several other countries through increasing globalization. Like many people in Curacao, my family moved from India to Curacaof two generations ago. I attended the International School of Curacao from ages 4-18, and upon graduating I moved to the Netherlands where I obtained my Bachelor’s degree at University College Utrecht, studying political science, anthropology and history. My thesis explored the causes and effects of a revolution and whether the workers' uprising in Curacao in 1969 could or should be considered a revolution. I recently received my Master’s in globalization and development studies from Maastricht University, and my main research focused on European foreign policy coherence using the case study of South Sudan. Currently, I am based in Tokyo, where I am a Junior Fellow at United Nations University.
I enjoy exploring themes related to individual socio-economic mobility and political agency. I am also very much intrigued by the functioning of inter-governmental organizations, non-governmental organizations, and other civil society organizations, and their interaction with governments and other actors.
Through my posts on Future Challenges, I hope to not only tell stories based on my different experiences, but to also interact with individuals from different backgrounds and engage in a dialogue about some of the most pressing issues that our generation is facing. While Curacao is a small place, it is an interesting example for a variety of challenges/successes facing the developing world today and consequently, I believe that sharing my experiences of Curacao will provide insight to some of global trends as well as teach people more about the challenges that surround small island nations in the Caribbean.
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Stories of Filipino Women told to a Curacaoan
Written by Neelam J. Melwani
During my visit to the Philippines in early August, I noticed very many differences between the lives of the poor in Asia, the Caribbean and Europe. Growing up, I had always found it very difficult to understand the widely different lives people led. Of course, as you grow older you […]
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Insurance for a Brighter Future? Healthcare Provisions in Curaçao
Written by Neelam J. Melwani
When I was in high school, a family member was admitted to St. Elizabeth Hospital (SEHOS) in Curaçao. I’d been there before but this time while visiting I realized just how neglected the place was. Then one day, a nurse told me that the hospital had run out of oxygen, […]
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CARICOM: Good Ideas, Bad Execution
Written by Neelam J. Melwani
Moving from the Caribbean to Europe was an interesting experience for me. One thing that really astonished me was how integrated EU countries were. I hadn’t realized (prior to moving here) how easy it would be to move around, use the same currency and allow information to flow freely between […]
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The Migration Effect: A “Hybrid” Culture
Written by Neelam J. Melwani
In the age of migration and globalization, it is often argued that we need to remember where we come from. Whenever people ask me about my roots, I catch myself thinking twice. Where do I actually come from? The answer indeed is quite complex. I was born and raised on […]
