A broad majority of Brabant’s Provincial States supported a proposal to give young people a permanent role in provincial policymaking. Eleven parties said they were satisfied with recent youth participation, including unsolicited advice and consultation, and said the accumulated knowledge, experience and networks should be retained after the provincial elections in March next year.

The proposal was submitted during the budget debate by BBB group leader Marco Havermans. It calls on the current provincial executive to involve young people as far as possible until the elections and on the next executive to continue doing so. Deputy Marc Oudenhoven welcomed the decision and urged the parties to include young people in their election programmes.