Conference at UNA

August 07, 2008 5:27 AM

On January 9th and 10th 2009 a conference will be held at The University of the Netherlands Antilles (UNA) entitled "Shared history, sharing the future: New York, Holland and Curacao - 400th anniversary of setting foot on Manhattan 1609-2009".

Shared history, sharing the future: New York, Holland and Curacao

400th anniversary of setting foot on Manhattan 1609-2009

Friday 9 January 2009, aula B

8 p.m. Opening lecture and reception

Welcome by the Rector Magnificus, UNA, prof. Jeanne de Bruijn

Welcome by the dean faculty of Law, Dr. Viola Heutger

Welcome by prof. Curtis Pew, Hofstra University, School of Law, New York

Lecture: Dr. Bastiaan van der Velden

Shared history, sharing the future: New York, Holland and Curacao

The interaction between Curacao and New York in the history

Saturday 10 January 2009, aula B

9.30 a.m. – 12.00 lectures

Lectures:

Prof. Curtis Pew: Hofstra University, New York, A University founded by a Dutch

Dr. Viola Heutger: US Model laws, European harmonization of civil law and concordance as instruments for a future civil law of Curacao within the kingdom of the Netherlands.

Dr. Bastiaan van Velden: Studying abroad: students from Curacao in New York

N.N. : New York – Curacao: a long-lasting friendship

Background information

2009 will be the 400th anniversary of Henry Hudson setting foot on Manhattan Island. The Dutch East India Company employed Hudson, an English captain, and for this reason, his arrival on Manhattan marks the beginning of Dutch involvement in the New World. Although the Netherlands only controlled the Hudson River Valley for a short period from 1609 until 1664, in that short time, Dutch entrepreneurs established New Netherlands, a series of trading posts, towns, and forts up and down the Hudson River that laid the groundwork for towns that still exist today.

In 1621 the Dutch West India Company was founded with wide powers and charged with the duty of keeping "good order, police, and justice" in the New Netherlands area. The founding charter contained many guarantees of freedom in social, political and religious life. In 1629, a new system of colonization was devised in the Charter of Freedom and Exemptions, which introduced the patrons and the feudal system of land tenure.

In 1634, the Dutch captured Curaçao. The relation between Curacao and New Netherlands begin in 1647. That year the most successful of the Dutch Director Generals arrived in New Amsterdam. Peter Stuyvesant (1610-1672) served as governor of Curacao and lost a leg in an expedition against St. Martin before succeeding Willem Kieft in New Netherlands. In 1647, Stuyvesant tried to combine the administration of New Netherlands with that of Curacao in one administrative unit. Peter Stuyvesant stayed governor of New York until the Dutch lost New Amsterdam in 1664.

The University of the Netherlands Antilles hosts the conference. The University is located at the island of Curacao and celebrates in 2009 its 30th anniversary.

For inscription and more information, please contact:

University of the Netherlands Antilles

Faculty of Law, Dean: Associate Prof. Dr. V. (Viola) Heutger

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Jan Noorduynweg 111, Postbus 3059

Phone:(599-9) 8442-132

Fax: (599-9) 8442-130

www.una.an