Noorderzijlvest Water Authority Youth Panel launched
It worked. Ten young people from the province of Groningen will advise the board and civil service organization of the Noorderzijlvest Water Authority on important issues. Last Wednesday afternoon, Daniël, Deniz, Eline, Jan, Pleun, Ramon, Steven, Tina, Wilkor-Jan, and Yvon met for the first time.
These young people will help make choices that will also have an impact on future generations. That is why the Noorderzijlvest Water Authority is delighted that it can now involve these young people in water management in its working area.
Ten motivated young people selected
The water board's objective was to recruit a diverse panel. They succeeded. From a total of 16 applications, 10 young people were selected who impressed the selection committee. The young people live in the city and surrounding area and are between 16 and 23 years old. They represent a wide range of knowledge, as there is also a great deal of diversity in their educational backgrounds. These include high school students, recreational fishing and water management, accountancy, philosophy, marine science, and coastal and maritime management.
The motivation of all young people has many similarities. They are all concerned about nature, the climate, and water. They also hope to learn a lot from each other and to consider other people's perspectives. Gaining administrative experience is also a motivation.
The youth panel is now going to get to know the water board.
Last Wednesday, the panel got to know each other. Presentations by Dijkgraaf Roeland van der Schaaf and secretary-director Bas Tammes provided a quick overview of the water board. This was followed by playing the online democracy game. In small groups, the young people represented the boards of three water authorities and had to make political choices. To prevent the young people from being thrown in at the deep end, general board members Harmannus Blok (BBB), Auke Dijkstra (CDA), and Ale ten Cate (Student en Water) were on hand to guide them.
In the coming period, the youth panel will be going out to learn about the work of the water board. They will visit dikes, pumping stations, sewage treatment plants, and the workshops in Leek and Onderdendam. There will be a focus on water quality and water safety, and explanations from the water level managers.
The first assignment will start in September.
Once the ten members have completed the introduction, they will start their first assignment in September. Each year, the panel will be presented with three assignments related to the water board's most important tasks.
In addition to financial compensation, also a lot of work experience
Through their participation, young people are introduced to water management and can have a say in the future. At the same time, they expand their network and gain experience in an administrative environment. In addition to receiving financial compensation for each assignment, young people will be offered many inspiring workshops. It is also a flexible position. As a water authority, we understand that young people sometimes have to juggle many things at once. During these busy periods, young people are allowed to skip an assignment on a one-time basis.