Through the Eyes of the Youth: Exploring Youth’s Imaginaries of Sustainability in Curaçao

Abstract

The research seeks to explore the different narratives of sustainability that young people in Curaçao have, how different the education system and the media support these narratives, and which sustainable behaviors are practiced by the youth in Curaçao. Ultimately, this will give insights into youth’s imaginaries of sustainability in Curaçao. This was done through a media analysis of two local newspapers, and with the help of semi-structured interviews. It was found that youth in Curaçao mostly link sustainability to the environment and the community. Here, sustainability is seen as a concept that is focused primarily on protecting the environment and supporting the local community. This is also reflected in the practices carried out by the youth, which include recycling, using less plastic, using less water/ electricity, and motivating fellow peers. Ultimately, it was found that youth in Curaçao are aware of major local challenges that can impede them from reaching a sustainable future. The local mindset is seen as the biggest challenge when it comes to fully adopting sustainability on the island. From what was gathered from the media, this is being addressed by setting up awareness campaigns and educational workshops in order to build a sense of responsibility within the community. Furthermore, the youth acknowledged that renewable energy could be an important step in the development of a sustainable future for Curaçao.