About Antillean Network Association

The Antillean Network Association ("VAN") originated from a group of friends that came together on a regular basis as of 1994. During these get-togethers the friends would discuss Antillean and Aruban matters on political, social and cultural level and they would exchange information regarding the Antillean and Aruban society in the Netherlands and on the islands.

Due to the fact that the number of people interested in the meetings kept on increasing during the years and the scope of the meetings became broader, more structure and formalities were needed for the meetings.

As a result, the VAN as an association was established on 24 November 2000.

The purpose of VAN is three-fold:

1. to create a network of persons and organisations with an Antillean or Aruban background or affinity with the Netherlands Antilles and Aruba;
2. to enhance the friendships amongs its members; and
3. to organise discussion meetings amongst its members and third parties in the Netherlands and on the islands. Discussion topics are linked to Antillean and Aruban
   matters in their broadest sense.