ThaĆÆs G. Franken (24) is a recently graduated Aruban student at the University of Maastricht (UM). She obtained her graduate double master of science degree in Public Policy and Human Development in collaboration with the United Nations University Maastricht Economic and Social Research Institute on Innovation and Technology (UNU-MERIT). Back home, on the beautiful island of Aruba, she completed her Bachelor of Arts in Organization, Governance & Management (OGM) at the University of Aruba (UA), where she successfully defended her thesis titled āPlacing Culture and Creativity at the Heart of the Aruban Sustainable Developmentā. It was precisely this research project that inspired the emergence of the “Creative Islander” column in 2018. ThaĆÆs is very passionate about topics such as sustainability, innovation, culture, creativity, social entrepreneurship and their role in public management. Next to her academic interests, she enjoys reading, writing, dancing and cooking.
