Workshop Awa Yobé: Policy impact on traditional water management 

Workshop Awa Yobé: Policy impact on traditional water management, by Dimitri Cloose, MA (National Archeological Anthropological Memory Management Foundation).

Tackling the challenges of climate change in Curaçao demands a comprehensive approach that weaves cultural heritage into water management strategies. Policies developed from a top-down perspective, relying solely on theoretical knowledge, cannot substitute for the ingrained cultural practices that have supported the island's communities for generations. Instead, these cultural practices should be modified and included in modern policy frameworks to guarantee genuine community involvement and resilience. 

Dimitri Cloose is the Director of the National Archaeological Anthropological Memory Management (NAAM) Foundation in Curaçao, a UNESCO ICH-accredited NGO dedicated to the research, protection, and preservation of the island’s rich cultural heritage. 

Born and raised in Curaçao, Dimitri pursued academic studies in history and anthropology in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. His career began in education, where he taught and developed curricula that integrated cultural awareness and historical context. 

Currently, as the foundation director, Dimitri focuses on interdisciplinary project management and proposal development. He is a strong advocate for citizen science, contextualizing history through inclusive narratives and promoting the meaningful transfer of knowledge across generations.