Interview with DWARSe candidate Rogier Huurman #26

You have decided: This time you are going to vote for a young person. One who can bring change to the province of Utrecht with a fresh perspective. (Or you're just interested of course ;)) But for whom? Don't panic! In the coming period, we will be interviewing all DWARSe candidates (=young candidates on GroenLinks's list) in the province of Utrecht. In this interview, you can read more about Suzanne Vrielink and why she is a candidate.

Who are you and where are you from?

I am Rogier Huurman, a resident of Utrecht for three plus four and a half years now, in the increasingly beautiful Kanaleneiland. I was born in The Hague, but my family lives scattered across the east of the country.

Why are you running for the Provincial Assembly elections?

I follow the news around the world and all sorts of worrying things happen, without asking me anything,so I would like to be in the place where I do get those questions. The main problem of our generation is stopping greenhouse gas emissions, and the province has an important hand in that. Moreover, I find the Provincial Council itself an interesting body.

What do you do in daily life?

I am a freelance translator and translate, among other things, advertisements, manuals and privacy statements from various languages into Dutch. I try to automate my work whenever possible so that I have more time for other things. As a sole trader, I miss having colleagues around me, so I keep myself busy a lot with political and association activities.

Have you done anything in politics before?

I am an active member of GroenLinks's Privacy Working Group. Before that, I was on the Privacy and Technology Committee of DWARS from the beginning.

Have you had a political passion for a long time?

I have been politically active since 2010, when I joined the Pirate Party. I worked hard for it, but unfortunately this party did not become popular and professional enough to count in Dutch politics. That is why I switched to GroenLinks after yet another failed election in 2017.

Why is GroenLinks the party for you?

With GroenLinks I share many ideals, but above all I found here a community of positive people who combine rational thinking and idealism. At GroenLinks, people are at the centre, not economics or tradition. With a little more green in politics, we could tackle the problems of the twenty-first century a lot more energetically.

Who is your great role model?

My great example is Julia Reda, Green Group member in the European Parliament. She has been championing internet users' interests, copyright reform and transparency for almost five years. I also admire everyone who dedicates their lives to improving the world around them, from the inspired primary school teacher to the daring Elon Musk.

Which issues do you think are most important in this election?

The housing shortage, accessibility to outlying areas, and especially climate politics.

Why are these elections so important?

Apart from all those important decisions in the province, we also indirectly elect the members of the Senate. A controlling and independent Upper House is important so that monstrosities of laws like the Intelligence and Security Services Act are not automatically passed.

What do you want to do for young people this election?

Above all, I want to stand up for all young self-employed people, both wanted and unwanted, to give this growing economic group a voice inside and outside GroenLinks.

How do you plan to reach/engage citizens/young people more in provincial politics?

I am taking to the streets. I am walking along with as many door-to-door actions as possible in this campaign to talk to as many people as possible. My family and circle of friends will also hear plenty from me about the next two elections

If you had to sum up all your plans in one sentence, what would that sentence be?

The future starts now.

What are your plans, should you not get elected?

I am not standing for election, so I would be surprised if I were elected. I am going to continue campaigning for the European elections immediately after the Provincial Council elections, and then just continue working on things I think are important, such as in the Privacy Working Group, but also outside it. In addition, I have the great honour of heading the team organising the World Esperanto Youth Congress for three hundred young people in the Netherlands in July 2020, so I will have little time to be bored.

What is your favourite animal?

The alpaca! My most romantic getaway was a weekend trip for two to an alpaca farm.

What is your guilty pleasure?

My sneaky pleasure as a translator is to expel as many unnecessary English words from the language as possible.