April 28, 2006 |
Fort Amsterdam, Willemstad,
Curacao (NA) - Jacob Gelt Dekker's efforts to revitalize the Otrabanda section of Willemstad with Hotel
Kura Hulanda , Museum Kura Hulanda and his worldwide efforts to improve the quality of life for underprivileged children as the Chairman of the Nobel Laureates'
ChildRight Charitable Organization have been recognized with a Knighthood from Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands.
He was one of the two people from Curacao to be named an Officer of the Order of Oranje-Nassau, and one 15 people from
Curacao to be honored in ceremonies held at Fort Amsterdam, the official residence of the Governor of the Netherlands Antilles.
The Order of Orange-Nassau was created by law on 4 April 1892. This Order is the third Dutch order, after the Military William Order and the Order of the Dutch Lion. Her Majesty the Queen is Grand Master of the Order.
In 1841, as Grand Duke of Luxembourg, King Willem II created the Order of the Oak Crown. Although this was not a Dutch order,
honors in the Order of the Oak Crown were regularly conferred on Dutch people and foreign diplomats. After the death of King Willem III in 1891, Luxembourg became an independent state. Since then,
honors in the Order of the Oak Crown can no longer be awarded by the Dutch head of state.
There was an obvious need for a new, third Dutch order, in particular to be able to confer a royal
honor on foreign diplomats, but also to be able to give people from lower classes and ranks a royal pat on the back. On 4 April 1892, at the time when Queen Emma was Regent of the Kingdom, the Order of Orange-Nassau was created.
Revision
In 1994, the Dutch honors system was extensively revised by law following almost thirty years of discussion. The first
honors under the new system were conferred during the 'General Occasion' in 1996. Through this revision, the law intended to create a more democratic
honors system in which there was no longer place for automatic conferral. The level of the
honors was disconnected from rank and social status. In principle, everyone in our society can be
honored. An honor is only awarded on the basis of special, personal merits for society.
Until 1996, the Order of Orange-Nassau consisted of five grades. In addition, Honorary medals in gold, silver and bronze were linked to the Order until 1996. The bearers of the Honorary medal were not included in the Order. The Honorary medals have not been awarded since 1996, while the Order of Orange-Nassau now has six grades:
1| Grand Cross
4| Officer
2| Grand Officer
5| Knight
3| Commander
6| Member
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