Young Democrats (Netherlands)

Young Democrats
Jonge Democraten
Chairperson Wouter van Erkel
Treasurer Martijn Kösters
Secretary General Thomas Wielders
Founded 1984
Headquarters Haagse Bluf 63, The Hague
Ideology Social liberalism
Mother party Democrats 66
International affiliation International Federation of Liberal Youth (IFLRY)
European affiliation European Liberal Youth (LYMEC)
Website
www.jongedemocraten.nl

The Young Democrats (Dutch: Jonge Democraten, JD) is the social-liberal youth organisation of the Netherlands, founded in 1984. With over 5000 members it's the largest non-Christian political youth organisation of the Netherlands.[1] Although independent, the Young Democrats are affiliated with the Dutch social-liberal party Democrats 66 (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

Young Democrat (r) and D66 MEP Sophie in 't Veld campaigning in favour of the European Constitution

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:

Local branches

Currently the Young Democrats have ten local branches, most of which are based in university cities, such as Amsterdam, Utrecht, Rotterdam and Leiden. 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. The sections are:

International ties

The Young Democrats of the Netherlands, together with the Youth Organisation Freedom and Democracy (JOVD), are members of both the European Liberal Youth (LYMEC) and the International Federation of Liberal Youth (IFLRY). Young Democrat Bart Woord was the president of the IFLRY Bureau from November 2009 to November 2010. Currently, from November 2010, Ivo Thijssen is the representative of the LYMEC Bureau in the IFLRY Bureau. Furthermore, there exist close bilateral ties with the German, Belgian, British and Tunisian young liberals.

References

  1. "Ledental jongerenorganisaties". DNPP. 2005-05-13.
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