Zoetermeer has a new children's mayor
During a festive gathering on Monday, September 16, 9-year-old Steff Hoevers was officially installed as the new children's mayor of Zoetermeer in the presence of family, friends, council and city council members. Steff took a pledge and received a special children's mayor's chain of office from Mayor Michel Bezuijen.
Steff Hoevers wrote a letter to Mayor Michel Bezuijen, offering his help as children's mayor to help increase the visibility of the municipality among children. In the school year 2024-2025, Steff has an important role as children's mayor at various events and activities in Zoetermeer, such as the mayor's breakfast, the Saint Nicholas celebrations, candlelight evening, lighting the Christmas tree, the New Year's reception, NL Doet, King's Day, the May 4 commemoration, the liberation festival, the evening four-day march and the veterans' evening.
Strengthening engagement and visibility
This initiative aims to increase the visibility of children within Zoetermeer and encourage their participation in civic education and child participation. A children's mayor can be a great bridge between children in the municipality and local politics. As an ambassador, the children's mayor is a valuable addition to existing municipal activities. Mayor Michel Bezuijen endorses the importance of this role: "With Steff Hoevers as children's mayor, we want to strengthen the involvement of children in our city. I am therefore looking forward to our cooperation."
Evaluation
The Zoetermeer Municipal Executive has decided to appoint a children's mayor for the 2024-2025 school year as part of a trial period. After the trial period, an evaluation will follow to assess whether the children's mayor has contributed to the visibility and involvement of young people in important events, celebrations and commemorations. It will also assess whether to continue the role of children's mayor and what form it should take.
