If you’ve ever wanted to know more about how local Dutch politics works check out Politiek Actief
Translated by Thomas Ansell
As reported by the Omrop Fryslân, a number of Frisian local authorities are teaming up to provide free online courses about local democracy. Politiek Actief is an initiative by the Gemeentes Heerenveen, Opsterland, Oost and Westellingwerf; Smallingerland, and De Fryske Marren. The online courses hope to attract more people into local politics, and educate people about their rights and opportunities.
The course will take place across five evenings, and will include members of the councils, mayors, and political advisors. Theoretical learning will be combined with practical information about how residents can take an active role in their local community. Those taking part will also be informed about the different roles that local and national government takes; how decisions are made, and what precisely the municipal councils do.
Lesson one will serve as an introduction, whilst session two will consider how the gemeente makes decisions, and session three will look at council debates. The fourth and fifth will be used to consider finances, meetings, and responsibilities.
“We want to work with residents to help them discover local democracy and politics”, says Lammy Roest, the clerk of the Gemeente Heerenveen. “It could also work as a first step towards taking part in politics, as local parties are always looking for new members”.
The sessions will be given in Dutch, and will take place on Wednesday evenings from 19:30 to 22:00, from 17 February. For more information and to sign up check out ProDemos or your local gemeente website.
Image: the gemeente council at Nissewaard (Zuid-Holland) by Wikimedia user Peter van der Sluijs. License here.
