Jonge Democraten

Infobox Political Youth Organization
name_english = Young Democrats of the Netherlands
name_native = Jonge Democraten

chairperson = Floris Kreiken
deputy =
treasurer = Eric Krijgsman
colorcode = Green
foundation = 1984
headquarters = Laan van Meerdervoort 50
2517 AM The Hague
ideology = Social Liberalism
international = International Federation of Liberal Youth (IFLRY)
regional1_type = European
regional1_name = European Liberal Youth (LYMEC)
mother_party = Democrats 66
website = [http://www.jongedemocraten.nl/ www.jongedemocraten.nl]

The "Young Democrats" (Dutch: Jonge Democraten; JD) is the social-liberal youth organisation of the Netherlands, founded in 1984. With over 1850 members it's the second largest non-Christian political youth organisation of the Netherlands. [cite news|title= [http://www.rug.nl/dnpp/informatie/persber/pers3/index Ledental jongerenorganisaties] |publisher=DNPP|date=2005-05-13] Although independent, the Young Democrats are affiliated with the Dutch social-liberal party D66.

Principles

According to the Declaration of Principles, the Young Democrats are a liberal-democratic youth organisation. The main objective of the Young Democrats is to contribute to the individual development of every person. Core values of the Young Democrats are liberty, equality, solidarity, sustainability and pragmatism. Also, the Young Democrats are in favour of radical democratisation of society.

Policies

* The Young Democrats advocate preparing the Netherlands for the consequences of an ageing society. They suggest increasing labour participation by reforming social security. JD is in favour of gradually raising the age at which people become eligible to receive the state pension to 67 years of age from the current age of 65.
* The Young Democrats are in favor of ending the right of faith-based schools to refuse enrollment by pupils on the basis of religion.
* The Young Democrats are supporters of gradually phasing out tax breaks for home owners paying interest on a mortgage.
* The Young Democrats are staunch defenders of civil liberties. They continue to support liberal reforms attained by D66 in the past in areas such as euthanasia, gay marriage, abortion and the legalisation of prostitution. The JD also wishes to see the production of softdrugs legalised.
* The Young Democrats oppose counter-terrorism measures that are not both proportional and that have proven their effectiveness. In particular, JD opposes current legislation obliging citizens to be able to prove their identity at any time. JD rejects a ban on the wearing of the burqa in public spaces.
* The Young Democrats are in favour of reforming the electoral system of the Netherlands to enable direct elections for the officer charged with forming a governing coalition at the national level and to enable mayoral elections at the local level.
* The Young Democrats are in favour of more investments in renewable energy sources and fully support the Kyoto Protocol. The JD is not opposed to nuclear energy, as it contributes to cutting greenhouse gas emissions.
* The Young Democrats champion further European integration towards a Federal Europe. The Young Democrats wish to see more European cooperation on immigration, defence and foreign policy.
* The Young Democrats are strong supporters of international law and human rights.

Organisation

Within the Young Democrats power lies with the members. The Congress is the sovereign body of the Young Democrats and meets twice a year in spring and autumn. During the Congress members of the National Board are elected individually and JD policy is decided through resolutions, amendments and motions. All members have equal say through the one-man-one-vote system.

National Board

The day-to-day management of the Young Democrats is in the hands of the National Board, the members of which are:
* President: Floris Kreiken
* Secretary General: Maaike Alleblas
* Treasurer: Eric Krijgsman
* Political Officer: Marianne Meijssen
* Education Officer: Boyd van Dijk
* Press Officer: Peter van Gool
* Promotions Officer: Chantal Weijers
* International Officer: Lisalotte van der Tas

Local branches

Currently the Young Democrats have thirteen local branches. Most branches are based in university cities, such as Amsterdam, Utrecht and Rotterdam. Every branch has a local board and organises regular general meetings where local board members are elected and policy is decided. Every local member has the right to vote at the local general meetings.

International ties

The Young Democrats are part of a worldwide family of social-liberal youth organisations. Some examples are the Danish Social Liberal Youth, the Swedish Liberal Youth, the Norwegian Young Liberals, the Flemish L², the British Liberal Democrat Youth and the Canadian Young Liberals. The Young Democrats often work closely with their international sister organisations.

The Young Democrats of the Netherlands, together with the JOVD, are a member of both the European Liberal Youth LYMEC and the International Liberal Youth Federation IFLRY.

External links

* [http://www.jongedemocraten.nl/index.php?id=12 Young Democrats website (in English)]
* [http://www.democrats.nl/ Democrats 66 website (in English)]
* [http://www.lymec.org European Liberal Youth website]
* [http://www.iflry.org International Federation of Liberal Youth website]

References