Willemstad, Curaçao – Senator of the Dutch Senate for D66, Boris Dittrich, introduces Member of Parliament for the PNP, Gwendell Mercelina Jr., to represent Curaçao in the international platform of Parliamentarians for Global Action (PGA).
Boris Dittrich is a politician, lawyer, human rights activist, and author from the Netherlands. From 1994 to 2006, Dittrich was a member of the House of Representatives for the Democrats 66 (D66) party, where he also served as party leader and faction chairman from 2003 to 2006. In parliament, he focused on human rights, immigration, asylum policy, justice, and LGBT rights. Dittrich also lived in the United States, where he worked as an advocacy director for the Department of Sexual Minorities at Human Rights Watch in New York. Since June 2019, he has been a member of the Dutch Senate for Democrats 66 (D66).
Dittrich believes that Mercelina’s vision and strong commitment to promoting gender equality, the rule of law, democracy, the environment, climate change, and other important issues on a global scale make Mercelina a suitable parliamentarian to represent Curaçao in this prestigious organization.
PGA is a global network of over 1,300 parliamentarians from around 140 countries dedicated to promoting peace, democracy, human rights, and the rule of law. The organization helps parliamentarians work together to tackle the world’s most urgent challenges and promote sustainable development.
“I feel honored to be introduced to Parliamentarians for Global Action (PGA) by the senator and legendary Boris Dittrich,” said Mercelina. “I am excited about the opportunity to work with people who have the same thoughts to promote positive changes and have a real impact on the lives of people worldwide.”
Mercelina’s investment in strengthening Curacao’s role in IPKO, both regionally and internationally, will bear fruit if the opportunities are seized to increase Curacao’s possibilities, knowledge, and representation. With his role as the representative of the people in parliamentary diplomacy, he will continue to attend PGA events and work with other parliamentarians to promote positive changes.
Besides his representation in Parliamentarians for Global Action (PGA), Mercelina is also a co-founder of the Parliamentary Observatory on Climate Change and Just Transition (OPCC), and ambassador of One Young World and Island Innovation – a unique global example of Curaçao.
