RAPP Hosts Aruba’s First Freedom Dinner

On 5 May 2026, RAPP organized Aruba’s first Freedom Dinner, bringing journalists and representatives of public and civil society organizations together for an open conversation about freedom, press freedom and democracy.

The gathering took place at NUSA in Oranjestad and connected World Press Freedom Day on 3 May with the celebration of freedom on May 5th.

Around the dinner table, participants reflected on the meaning of freedom and press freedom within Aruba’s democratic society. Conversation cards encouraged exchanges about journalistic ethics, access to information, transparency, the safety of journalists and the shared responsibility of protecting democratic values.

Among the participants were journalists and representatives of the Public Prosecution Service, the Joint Court of Justice, UNESCO Aruba, Stichting Deugdelijk Bestuur, the Cabinet of the Governor of Aruba, the Representation of the Netherlands in Aruba and Veiligheidsdienst Aruba.

The informal setting created space for open and constructive conversations between journalists and institutions that do not always have an opportunity to meet outside their usual professional roles.

The evening confirmed the importance of continued dialogue and greater mutual understanding between the press and other sectors of society. RAPP hopes to build on this first edition and develop the Freedom Dinner into a recurring initiative in Aruba.

The Freedom Dinner was organized by RAPP with support from Comité 4 en 5 mei and Vfonds.