Introduction
I have enjoyed living in Hilversum for more than 30 years. And I enjoy being involved in society and being in contact with people. These qualities are partly fed by my background as a former physiotherapist and as coordinator of a social organization. In addition to being a council member, I work for a foundation that wants to strengthen looking after each other. The foundation does this by organizing projects in which people volunteer for each other. I also think that meeting is important in the council work. You can only understand what is going on (with the other person) when you meet the other person.
In recent years in Hilversum I have been involved in various social initiatives such as an intercultural platform and fair trade Hilversum. It is great to mean something to each other and to the city together with different people. Especially at a time with many social challenges, when we need each other. I believe that we can best meet these challenges by making choices based on confidence. In this way we give people the space to use their talents, live and work. That is also leading in my choices and basic attitude for my council work.
Motivation
In the thirty years that I have lived in Hilversum, I have been able to get to know all layers of the Hilversum population. I have worked with young people, the elderly, entrepreneurs, churches, mosques, and social organizations. In all those encounters and experiences, two things struck me:
Firstly, I saw that Hilversum is rich in potential, creativity and people who want to be there for each other. And that's a good thing, because this time has many challenges. In my opinion, problems such as the climate crisis, great inequality and growing pressure on healthcare can only be solved if we know how to use the diversity and wealth of talent. You make a society together.
Secondly, I have experienced that rules and policies could encourage or hinder people to live in a solidary and sustainable way.
That makes me want to commit myself to policy choices that give people space. That is why I think it is important to ensure that professionals and informal carers are given the freedom to do their work without unnecessary ballast. I want to ensure that all Hilversum residents are given sufficient fair opportunities to participate from an early age, regardless of the economic position (of your parents) or the neighborhood in which you live. And I think it's important that we make sure that nothing stands in the way of people living and living sustainably. These are important motivations for me to commit myself to the city council of Hilversum. In this way I want to contribute to a Hilversum for everyone, with an eye for the world around us.
(Ancillary) functions
- Quartermaster for the cooperation program Samen Erop Vooruit, commissioned by the Dutch Schuldhulproute, Schuldhulpmaatje and the Facility Guide
