Young NIMD

As an independent political youth organization, JD formulates its own ideas on political issues and themes based on the joint opinions of its members. The organization's political opinions are often progressive and oriented towards the future. These opinions are actively promoted towards D66's political representatives and to society as a whole through articles and attention in press and public activities.

JD members range in age between 12 and 30. They share an interest to translate their opinions to active participation in debate and discussion on a wide variety of political themes. Activities range from political and philosophical debates to field trips to beach volleyball-tournaments. Needless to say members perform better at some activities than at others…

The rights and freedoms of an individual are of the highest concern to JD. A social-liberal attitude towards society, however, also requires the individual to be able to grasp the opportunities to fully develop her- or himself. JD has an open mind towards the future, where reform of Dutch democratic institutions plays a key-role. The Dutch welfare state needs radical improvement to be sustainable in the long run, demanding reform of and more extensive investment in education and innovation, and an emphasis on sustainable development.

Essentially international!
Over the years, JD has organized a wide variety of projects that put international exchange of experiences between politically engaged youth at the centre. Think for example of a series of seminars in Eastern Europe in close collaboration with another Dutch PJO, summer schools in the Netherlands for political youth from around Europe, and three separate projects with a Colombian political youth organization, even resulting in a series of internships for 12 JD members in Colombia.

JD is a very internationally-oriented organization with a lot of attention for European integration and international relations, cooperation and development. Its campaign to promote a 'yes'-vote for the European Constitution in 2005 even reached international news-media like the BBC. JD promotes a strong European Union and stresses the importance of multilateral approaches to international issues like trade and sustainable development.

International cooperation is therefore a cornerstone of JD's activities. It greatly adds to the experience of its members and gives them a broader understanding of both political ideas as well as the role of political youth in other countries and circumstances. There are also many positive effects on partner organizations in other countries, like interesting experiences for its members, developing organizational skills and languages, and getting a view of politics beyond their national borders as well.

And dedicated to Young NIMD
Participating from the start, JD fully supports the role Young NIMD could play to further the role and beneficial effects of political youth participation in young democracies. JD sees Young NIMD as a means to increase the quality and positive spin-off of political youth participation in other parts of the world, as a way to share political experiences across borders, and to educate JD's own members in issues of democratization and the role of political youth in a broader perspective and beyond ideologies. JD feels it can contribute to these goals through its experience in international cooperation, the skills and trainings of its members and political contacts, and its open mind towards new ideas and opinions.

Representative of JD:
Stefan van der Esch
stefan.vanderesch@jongedemocraten.nl