This UvA student is here to help young people with their (political) concerns
UvA student Sam van den Boogaard (23) is running for a position on the Dutch National Youth Council (NJR). The Nijmegen-born Middle Eastern Studies student is currently in the race for the role of Youth Representative for European Affairs. Folia asked him five questions about his candidacy.
1. What exactly does a youth representative do?
“As a youth representative, you're a point of contact where young people can voice their political concerns. There are very few politicians who actually advocate for youth interests. In the Netherlands, we have political parties for animals, farmers, people over 50; but not for young people. You rarely see politicians under thirty. That’s why the idea emerged to appoint someone through the NJR to stand specifically for the interests of youth.”
“The representative for European Affair, the role I'm running for, focuses on topics that fall under the influence of the EU. A big part of the job involves gathering opinions, acting as a sounding board, and making sure young people's concerns are heard at political conferences.”
2. What makes you a strong candidate?
“I'm good at connecting with young people. I make sure they feel heard and that their opinions matter. For this role, it's crucial to be able to clearly articulate the challenges young people face. Topics like affordable housing, public transport, and mental health are still severely underrepresented. We need someone who understands what’s going on and can communicate that to policymakers. I believe I can do that.”
“My studies help as well. As a regional specialist, you learn to summarise a wide range of opinions because you study how perspectives can vary massively across different regions. I also did a Master’s in International Relations, so I have a solid understanding of international dynamics.”
3. What can you offer UvA students if you're elected?
“I mostly want to be a point of contact; someone students can approach when national politics isn't listening closely enough. There needs to be real, tangible change for young people. For example, I want to help ensure that young people are better paid and that public transport remains affordable. I’ll be at the UvA often, as I’m continuing my studies here even if I get elected, so students can just come talk to me. I want to stay close to the student community, especially in this role.”
4. Where do you think the most progress can be made?
“For me, representation is the key issue. Young people need an actual seat at the table. My slogan is: Europe by young people, not about young people. Just to give you an idea: out of the 720 Members of the European Parliament, only five are under thirty. So we’re talking about a very powerful group making major decisions that impact our lives, but they don’t face the issues young people do. They already own homes, rarely use public transport, and are mainly interested in voters over forty. Europe is important, but it's nowhere near representative.”
5. How will you campaign in the coming days?
“I’ll be on campus a lot and active online, on TikTok and Instagram. I’m also campaigning in major cities. The elections run from 10 to 15 October, so on the 16th we’ll know who the new representatives are. Each portfolio has two candidates. Whether I’ll pursue a political career after this? I’m not sure yet. For now, I just think this is a really exciting opportunity. I'm really looking forward to it.”
