International city tour with a political streak - The Northern Times
NorthenTimes
logo The Northern Times
  • News
    • All
    • Crime
    • Economics
    • Education
    • Health
    • Politics
    • Sports
    • Tech
    • Ukraine

    Student organization says interest on student loans may return

    Government to allocate €20 million to cover critical costs of Ukrainian refugees

    Airport Eelde aims to become ‘most sustainable in Europe’ with new Hydrogen Valley project

    Groningen and Drenthe holidaymakers seek to avoid Schiphol

    Leeuwarden teens call for harassment hotline in city

    Leeuwarden teens call for harassment hotline in city

    Groningen to host Sustainable Homes Day

    Groningen to host Sustainable Homes Day

    More people test positive for monkeypox in NL

    Train dream: from Groningen to Copenhagen in 5.5 hours by 2050

    Train dream: from Groningen to Copenhagen in 5.5 hours by 2050

    Reports of needle drugging filed in Groningen

    Reports of needle drugging filed in Groningen

    Weldoener Blond voted best beer of Netherlands

    Trending Tags

    • Lifestyle
      • All
      • Food & Drinks
      • Nightlife
      • Shopping
      • What's happening
      Food festivals set to return to Emmen

      Food festivals set to return to Emmen

      Groningen to host Sustainable Homes Day

      Groningen to host Sustainable Homes Day

      Reports of needle drugging filed in Groningen

      Reports of needle drugging filed in Groningen

      Companies in Dutch energy sector seek next cohort of young leaders

      Companies in Dutch energy sector seek next cohort of young leaders

      Armenian artefacts, Noah’s ark relic on display at Drents Museum

      Armenian artefacts, Noah’s ark relic on display at Drents Museum

      Groningen Meikermis fair about to kick off

      Groningen Meikermis fair about to kick off

      Marching trees kick off Arcadia arts festival in Leeuwarden

      Marching trees kick off Arcadia arts festival in Leeuwarden

      What’s happening in May? Events and activities from our partners

      What’s happening in May? Events and activities from our partners

      Remembrance Day and Liberation Day: Deep dive

      Remembrance Day and Liberation Day: Deep dive

      Trending Tags

      • Culture
        • All
        • Dutch history
        • Typical Dutch
        Popular Drenthe youth’s summer programme set to return in 2022

        Popular Drenthe youth’s summer programme set to return in 2022

        Remembrance Day and Liberation Day: Deep dive

        Remembrance Day and Liberation Day: Deep dive

        North NL theaters struggle to find a way to attract audience

        Rolling Stones exhibition in Groninger Museum extended

        Lottery donates €636K to Groninger Museum

        Frida Kahlo exhibition coming to Assen a year early

        Drents Museum Frida Kahlo exhibit extended

        Bittersweet Heritage

        Bittersweet Heritage: a cultural event exploring Groningen’s connections to slavery

        Fries Museum to loan series of renowned portraits from London’s National Portrait Gallery

        Frisians Mata Hari and Titia Bergsma to feature in History Canon

        A stumbling stone in Groningen

        New foundation for “stumbling stones” in Groningen

        National Holocaust Museum launching a temporary exhibit in Leeuwarden

        National Holocaust Museum launching a temporary exhibit in Leeuwarden

        Trending Tags

        • People
          • All
          • Expats
          • International students
          Companies in Dutch energy sector seek next cohort of young leaders

          Companies in Dutch energy sector seek next cohort of young leaders

          What’s it like working in Northern Netherlands?

          What’s it like working in Northern Netherlands?

          Student protest Groningen: ‘Where is a vaccine against psychological problems?’

          New mini-doc highlights how Groningen students struggle to find housing

          ESN/ISO: “International students neglected in higher education in the Netherlands”

          ESN/ISO: “International students neglected in higher education in the Netherlands”

          ESN launches ‘buddy programme’ for students in Groningen

          ESN launches ‘buddy programme’ for students in Groningen

          A letter from the Editor – Internationals from 120 countries: Welcome to Groningen, Leeuwarden, Assen and Emmen!

          ‘University of Groningen must do more for the mental health of students’

          From a WhatsApp group to a community: BLOG offers a ready-made social space for Black Ladies in Groningen

          From a WhatsApp group to a community: BLOG offers a ready-made social space for Black Ladies in Groningen

          First students snap up alternate study spots in Oosterpoort

          Dutch student grades rise during pandemic whilst mental health suffers

          NHL_Stenden_studying

          New students in Leeuwarden get ‘Coronaproof’ introduction week

          Trending Tags

          • Opportunities
            • All
            • business
            • Education
            Companies in Dutch energy sector seek next cohort of young leaders

            Companies in Dutch energy sector seek next cohort of young leaders

            Annual Beta Business Days event a success

            Annual Beta Business Days event a success

            What’s it like working in Northern Netherlands?

            Startup Visa Crew offers support to Ukrainian entrepreneurs (Переклад українською)

            Gasunie to build €60 million green gas plant in Delfzijl

            Gasunie to build €60 million green gas plant in Delfzijl

            Hundreds set to join online job-networking event

            Hundreds set to join online job-networking event

            How to enter academia in the Netherlands

            How to enter academia in the Netherlands

            3 ideas for student-friendly jobs in the North

            3 ideas for student-friendly jobs in the North

            Meet 3 startups that are Making it in the North

            Meet 3 startups that are Making it in the North

            Job opportunities in the North increase

            Job opportunities in the North increase

            Trending Tags

            • Submit A Tip/Article
            No Result
            View All Result
            The Northern Times
            • News
              • All
              • Crime
              • Economics
              • Education
              • Health
              • Politics
              • Sports
              • Tech
              • Ukraine

              Student organization says interest on student loans may return

              Government to allocate €20 million to cover critical costs of Ukrainian refugees

              Airport Eelde aims to become ‘most sustainable in Europe’ with new Hydrogen Valley project

              Groningen and Drenthe holidaymakers seek to avoid Schiphol

              Leeuwarden teens call for harassment hotline in city

              Leeuwarden teens call for harassment hotline in city

              Groningen to host Sustainable Homes Day

              Groningen to host Sustainable Homes Day

              More people test positive for monkeypox in NL

              Train dream: from Groningen to Copenhagen in 5.5 hours by 2050

              Train dream: from Groningen to Copenhagen in 5.5 hours by 2050

              Reports of needle drugging filed in Groningen

              Reports of needle drugging filed in Groningen

              Weldoener Blond voted best beer of Netherlands

              Trending Tags

              • Lifestyle
                • All
                • Food & Drinks
                • Nightlife
                • Shopping
                • What's happening
                Food festivals set to return to Emmen

                Food festivals set to return to Emmen

                Groningen to host Sustainable Homes Day

                Groningen to host Sustainable Homes Day

                Reports of needle drugging filed in Groningen

                Reports of needle drugging filed in Groningen

                Companies in Dutch energy sector seek next cohort of young leaders

                Companies in Dutch energy sector seek next cohort of young leaders

                Armenian artefacts, Noah’s ark relic on display at Drents Museum

                Armenian artefacts, Noah’s ark relic on display at Drents Museum

                Groningen Meikermis fair about to kick off

                Groningen Meikermis fair about to kick off

                Marching trees kick off Arcadia arts festival in Leeuwarden

                Marching trees kick off Arcadia arts festival in Leeuwarden

                What’s happening in May? Events and activities from our partners

                What’s happening in May? Events and activities from our partners

                Remembrance Day and Liberation Day: Deep dive

                Remembrance Day and Liberation Day: Deep dive

                Trending Tags

                • Culture
                  • All
                  • Dutch history
                  • Typical Dutch
                  Popular Drenthe youth’s summer programme set to return in 2022

                  Popular Drenthe youth’s summer programme set to return in 2022

                  Remembrance Day and Liberation Day: Deep dive

                  Remembrance Day and Liberation Day: Deep dive

                  North NL theaters struggle to find a way to attract audience

                  Rolling Stones exhibition in Groninger Museum extended

                  Lottery donates €636K to Groninger Museum

                  Frida Kahlo exhibition coming to Assen a year early

                  Drents Museum Frida Kahlo exhibit extended

                  Bittersweet Heritage

                  Bittersweet Heritage: a cultural event exploring Groningen’s connections to slavery

                  Fries Museum to loan series of renowned portraits from London’s National Portrait Gallery

                  Frisians Mata Hari and Titia Bergsma to feature in History Canon

                  A stumbling stone in Groningen

                  New foundation for “stumbling stones” in Groningen

                  National Holocaust Museum launching a temporary exhibit in Leeuwarden

                  National Holocaust Museum launching a temporary exhibit in Leeuwarden

                  Trending Tags

                  • People
                    • All
                    • Expats
                    • International students
                    Companies in Dutch energy sector seek next cohort of young leaders

                    Companies in Dutch energy sector seek next cohort of young leaders

                    What’s it like working in Northern Netherlands?

                    What’s it like working in Northern Netherlands?

                    Student protest Groningen: ‘Where is a vaccine against psychological problems?’

                    New mini-doc highlights how Groningen students struggle to find housing

                    ESN/ISO: “International students neglected in higher education in the Netherlands”

                    ESN/ISO: “International students neglected in higher education in the Netherlands”

                    ESN launches ‘buddy programme’ for students in Groningen

                    ESN launches ‘buddy programme’ for students in Groningen

                    A letter from the Editor – Internationals from 120 countries: Welcome to Groningen, Leeuwarden, Assen and Emmen!

                    ‘University of Groningen must do more for the mental health of students’

                    From a WhatsApp group to a community: BLOG offers a ready-made social space for Black Ladies in Groningen

                    From a WhatsApp group to a community: BLOG offers a ready-made social space for Black Ladies in Groningen

                    First students snap up alternate study spots in Oosterpoort

                    Dutch student grades rise during pandemic whilst mental health suffers

                    NHL_Stenden_studying

                    New students in Leeuwarden get ‘Coronaproof’ introduction week

                    Trending Tags

                    • Opportunities
                      • All
                      • business
                      • Education
                      Companies in Dutch energy sector seek next cohort of young leaders

                      Companies in Dutch energy sector seek next cohort of young leaders

                      Annual Beta Business Days event a success

                      Annual Beta Business Days event a success

                      What’s it like working in Northern Netherlands?

                      Startup Visa Crew offers support to Ukrainian entrepreneurs (Переклад українською)

                      Gasunie to build €60 million green gas plant in Delfzijl

                      Gasunie to build €60 million green gas plant in Delfzijl

                      Hundreds set to join online job-networking event

                      Hundreds set to join online job-networking event

                      How to enter academia in the Netherlands

                      How to enter academia in the Netherlands

                      3 ideas for student-friendly jobs in the North

                      3 ideas for student-friendly jobs in the North

                      Meet 3 startups that are Making it in the North

                      Meet 3 startups that are Making it in the North

                      Job opportunities in the North increase

                      Job opportunities in the North increase

                      Trending Tags

                      • Submit A Tip/Article
                      The Northern Times
                      logo The Northern Times
                      Home News Politics
                      grote_markt

                      International city tour with a political streak

                      Traci White by Traci White
                      November 5, 2018
                      in Politics
                      0
                      Share on TwitterShare on FacebookWhatsapp

                      On Thursday the 8th of November, an International City Tour organised by D66 will share some of Groningen’s historic secrets and some lessons about local politics.

                      The free tour is part of a wider initiative by the local D66 party to engage foreign-born voters. The local liberal democrats launched a voting information site for internationals, You Can Vote Groningen, this summer ahead of the municipal elections later this month, and started a think tank focused on internationalization in early 2017. Foreign-born residents of the city are eligible to vote it they are from an EU country or have lived in the city for at least five years.

                      The tours will be led by Arend Jan Wonink, a member of the municipal council for D66, and Boike Teunissen, a former city guide. Matt Veerkamp, a member of the D66 Platform for Internationalization and the organiser behind the tour, says that he does not want to ruin the surprise of which locations the tour will visit, but the description of the tour says that it starts at the Grote Markt and digs into Groningen’s connections to Hollywood, Carnegie Hall and Johann Sebastian Bach, among others.

                      Veerkamp spoke with The Northern Times about why D66 wants to reach out to Groningen’s international population.

                      The Northern Times: Is this the first year that D66 has been doing outreach to first generation people in Groningen? Why did the party decide to put on a tour for internationals?

                      Matt Veerkamp: This is the second edition of our tour; the first edition took place this summer. There’s is a growing number of internationals studying, working and trying to make Groningen their home, and we think it is very important that their voice is heard in local politics. Through initiatives like the tour and our platform, we want to encourage internationals to let their voice be heard.

                      TNT: There was a tour during Let’s Grofor internationals led by D66 councillor Fleur Graper at the municipal house, so will this tour be different from that?

                      Veerkamp: The tour led by Fleur Woudstra focuses on city hall; International Groningen City Tour will show both famous places in Groningen’s city centre and its hidden gems with interesting histories

                      TNT: What locations will the tour include? When/where does it start?irst year that D66 has been doing outreach to first generation people in Groningen? Why did the party decide to put on a tour for internationals?

                      Veerkamp: That’s still a surprise. Our city guides Arend Jan and Boike both have different styles and interests, and will try to tailor the tour to their groups preferences. We will show you Groningen’s history in international context, as well as how Groningen has left its mark on the world. This includes some very interesting anecdotes and stories; last time, for example, we learned what links Groningen with Quentin Tarantino’s film, “Inglorious Bastards”.

                      TNT: Are there any particular issues or themes that the tour is focusing on?

                      Veerkamp: Groningen is a city with a very international history. We want to show how that history has shaped the city we know today, and how Groningen and its citizens have made their mark on the world. On top of that, we want to draw the international’s attention to the fact that they can vote on the upcoming municipality elections, and that it is very important they let their vote and voice be heard.

                      TNT: Are there any similar initiatives by D66 (or other parties) in the north?

                      Veerkamp: There seem to be more and more organizations and initiatives in Groningen and the rest of The Netherlands focusing on internationals. It’s good to see that it is slowly be surely becoming common sense that internationals are a part of our society.

                      TNT: Does D66 think that all political issues impact everyone equally, or are there certain topics that you think impact internationals more than the rest of the population?

                      Veerkamp: For internationals, it is very important that they are provided with the right information from the moment they decide to move to Groningen: information about housing, health-care, public transport, education, childcare and other things. The last few years, progress has been made in this respect, but there’s is room for improvement.

                      TNT: How can people sign up?

                      Veerkamp: People can reserve a free spot through our Facebook event. However, there’s a limited number of tickets still available.

                      TNT: Are you considering doing any more walking tours sometime soon?

                      Veerkamp: We don’t have time to organise another one before the elections, but as far as I’m concerned, we’ll definitely do another one soon.

                      The event page shows that 120 people are interested, but Verkamp stresses that the tour only has a couple of spots left. The group is hoping to organised more similar tours in the coming months.

                      This interview has been shortened and edited slightly for clarity.

                      Local elections

                      What are the issues that matter in the upcoming elections? Which municipalities in the north will be heading to the polls? Curious about how other local political parties are engaging with the international community? We’ll be publishing an election guide later this week, so stay tuned!

                      Photo source: Wikipedia

                      Correction: An earlier version of this article stated that Matt Veerkamp was the chairperson of the Young Democrats Groningen. His term as chairperson ended in September of 2018.

                      Tags: D66electionsfirst generationforeignGroningenGrote Marktimmigrantsinternationalizationinternationalsmunicipal electionsvote
                      Previous Post

                      Wildlands: 8 million euros in debt, laying off staff

                      Next Post

                      A metro stop in Leeuwarden?

                      Traci White

                      Traci White

                      Related Posts

                      More women than ever elected in Northern city councils, but equality still a work-in-progress

                      More women than ever elected in Northern city councils, but equality still a work-in-progress

                      March 23, 2022
                      Editorial:  International students can change the outcome of the municipality election!

                      Editorial: International students can change the outcome of the municipality election!

                      March 15, 2022
                      Municipal elections 2022: focus on Friesland

                      Municipal Elections 2022: Focus on Drenthe

                      March 9, 2022
                      Municipal elections 2022: focus on Friesland

                      Municipal elections 2022: focus on Friesland

                      March 2, 2022

                      Housing, poverty and inclusion: Groningen municipal candidates make their pitches

                      March 2, 2022
                      Forum Groningen opens to fanfare: but what do visitors really think?

                      English-language election debate to take place in the Groningen Forum

                      February 22, 2022
                      Next Post
                      julianapark_metro

                      A metro stop in Leeuwarden?

                      A7_Groningen

                      Hidden speed cameras being tested on A7 in Groningen

                      Discussion about this post

                      Most popular this week

                      • Train dream: from Groningen to Copenhagen in 5.5 hours by 2050

                        Train dream: from Groningen to Copenhagen in 5.5 hours by 2050

                        0 shares
                        Share 0 Tweet 0
                      • Reports of needle drugging filed in Groningen

                        0 shares
                        Share 0 Tweet 0
                      • More people test positive for monkeypox in NL

                        0 shares
                        Share 0 Tweet 0
                      • Back from the dead: previously bankrupt Vapiano may re-open on June 1

                        0 shares
                        Share 0 Tweet 0
                      • Groningen and Drenthe holidaymakers seek to avoid Schiphol

                        0 shares
                        Share 0 Tweet 0
                      The Northern Times

                      The Northern Times

                      NorthernTimes.nl is an English-language news site for internationals and anyone interested in news and activities in the three northern Dutch provinces of Groningen, Friesland and Drenthe. The website provides daily coverage and summaries of local news in the north, as well as human interest stories, backgrounds and a regional events calendar. The Northern Times is an initiative of the International Welcome Center North in cooperation with Persbureau Tammeling BV, which owns and operates the website.

                      Powered by:

                      Akkoord van Groningen, Gemeente Groningen, Koninklijke Metaalunie & FME, University of Groningen, Hanzehogeschool Groningen, Samenwerking Noord, Campus Groningen, and DUO/NEC NL (Nationaal Europass Centrum Nederland). 

                      Privacy statement and disclaimer 

                      NorthernTimes.nl is an English-language news site for internationals and anyone interested in news and activities in the three northern Dutch provinces of Groningen, Friesland and Drenthe. The website provides daily coverage and summaries of local news in the north, as well as human interest stories, backgrounds and a regional events calendar. The Northern Times is an initiative of the International Welcome Center North in cooperation with Persbureau Tammeling BV, which owns and operates the website.

                      Newsletter

                      Once or twice a week, we send out a digital newsletter to our subscribers. We will not and cannot share email addresses or any other personal data provided by our subscribers with any third parties, nor will we use this information for any purposes other than providing the newsletter. 

                      Questions or comments?

                      If you have any questions concerning your privacy or comments about ways that you think we could further protect and inform you about your privacy, please let us know by contacting us at info@tammeling.nl

                      Disclaimer

                      The Northern Times reserves the right to change its privacy policy, but will inform our subscribers and readers in advance prior to implementing any such changes. These changes will be published in a timely manner on The Northern Times’ website.

                      Tags

                      Arriva (49) Art (62) Assen (181) Climate Change (49) Coronavirus (498) coronavirus regulations (48) COVID-19 (331) COVID 19 (58) culture (44) Drachten (47) Drenthe (863) earthquakes (52) Eelde (44) Emmen (157) festival (43) football (62) Friesland (934) Groningen (1857) Groningen Airport Eelde (51) Groninger Museum (48) Hanzehogeschool (53) Heerenveen (41) Hoogeveen (49) housing (110) international students (53) jobs (63) Leeuwarden (406) Make it in the North (55) Mark Rutte (44) music (41) natural gas (55) Netherlands (67) NHL Stenden (50) NS (43) police (66) protest (56) RUG (146) Schiermonnikoog (40) Sneek (43) students (92) train (63) UMCG (108) University of Groningen (197) Wadden Sea (42) what's on (67)
                      • News
                      • Lifestyle
                      • Culture
                      • People
                      • Opportunities
                      • Submit A Tip/Article

                      © Copyrights The Northern Times 2018

                      No Result
                      View All Result
                      • Culture
                        • Dutch history
                        • Typical Dutch
                      • Lifestyle
                        • Food & Drinks
                        • Nightlife
                        • Shopping
                        • What’s happening
                      • News
                        • Economics
                        • Politics
                        • Sports
                        • Tech
                      • People
                        • Expats
                        • International students
                      • Opportunities
                        • business
                        • Education
                      • Bloom: Subscribe