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The aim of the Volt Maastricht group is to make Maastricht politics more European, more accessible and more concrete. Discover on this website what is going on in the city council, what Volt is doing and get involved.
Read more about us.
Party leader
Jules Ortjens
General Affairs
Social domain
Jules is our group chairman, he is a Volter of the first hour. A true leader, he sets a dot on the horizon for Volt's future. He was born and raised in Maastricht and knows like no other what is going on in the city. Moreover, during his studies he gained a lot of international experience which allows him to find his way in the European landscape. In addition to being a council member, Jules is a lecturer at Maastricht University.
Council Member
Mart Den Heijer
Physical
Economy & Culture
Mart has been involved with Volt Maastricht since its inception. As secretary of the board and campaign leader, he made sure Volt Maastricht could grow to where it is today. Mart is strong in connecting people, creating order and putting people in the right place. Besides being a council member he also works for the university of applied sciences Zuyd in Heerlen.
Political assistant
Romy Frijters
Economy & Culture
Romy knows all of Volt's secrets. Romy has also been involved with Volt Maastricht from its inception. Strong on content and a sociable person with a heart for culture. Without Romy the meetings would be a lot less fun. Besides being an active citizen member, Romy works as a project leader for team and leadership development at MUMC+.
Political assistant
Ryan Wilmes
Social domain
Ryan is the creative brain of the team. No problem is too complicated for Ryan. Besides that, visual communication is something he loves to do. Ryan was born and raised in Maastricht and is eager to contribute to a more social Maastricht. Ryan works as an optician and makes sure that everyone in the team keeps a sharp and critical eye.
Political assistant
Danny Janssen
Physical
Danny has been involved with Volt since the beginning of this year. After being inspired by our campaign in Maastricht, he decided to work for a sustainable Maastricht and a sustainable society. Born in Sittard, raised in Germany and educated in Maastricht, Rouen and Washington D.C. he is a European and world citizen at heart. Besides being a citizen member, he works as program manager Data Analytics at DHL Express and is the proud owner of his adopted dog Frits.
Secretary
Jessica Sleijpen
Jessica Sleijpen is a 21-year-old Dutchwoman who grew up in picturesque Kanne. As those in the know probably know; a small village just across the border in Belgium. For her legal studies, she hopped across the border (only 10 minutes by bike) and found her (t)home in Maastricht.
Municipal executive
Anita Bastiaans
Social domain
Anita is our Municipal executive. Her portfolios are Sustainable Social Domain, WMO, Welfare, Diversity, Europe and the Euregion. As such, she also participates in the Social Domain meetings. She also communicates on a weekly basis with Jules, our Party leader.
Public council meeting chair
Rebecca Warren
Support
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1
Together with our very own Anita Bastiaans, executive councilor for Maastricht, Volt is trying to pave the way for a social and inclusive society based on equity. We want to make sure that everyone living in Maastricht, regardless of their background or who they are, feels at home in our city. Amongst others we want to achieve this by making sure the “social domain” is transparent, digital and accessible to all. Equality is at the very base of a healthy democracy. Next to this, Volt is working hard to combat discrimination within the city to ensure everyone feels not just welcome, but also safe – wherever they may be in the city. Lastly, Volt wants to invest in better cooperation between the city and its higher education institutes (Zuyd & Maastricht University). This way we ensure that whenever someone is new to the city, they are well taken care of and made to feel at home. And we also mean this in the literal sense. Currently there is a severe housing shortage in Maastricht. To improve on this situation, Volt wants to champion the construction of a full-fledged campus, with affordable housing for (international) students and young professionals.
2
“Mekaar kinne verstaon” as they say here in the local dialect loosely translates to “understanding one another” both in the literal sense of the word and as a figure of speech. For a multilingual city, such as Maastricht, this is crucial. Generations of people grew up with the local dialect, Mestreechs. On the other hand, a large proportion of the city communicates in Dutch and a sizeable majority of (University) students communicate in English as their lingua franca. This is why we view linguistics as an essential part of successful and inclusive (local) politics. As such, we want to make sure that Dutch language courses are free for students studying in Maastricht, provide a course in Mestreechs or Limburgs via the municipality and break way for additional German and French language courses. To make this a success, the city should partner with Zuyd and Maastricht University. Last but certainly not least, the municipality also has some improvements to make itself. We want to make sure that communication in both Dutch and English will be the norm.
3
French president, Macron, already said it in 2017: make our planet green again! Although we are not (yet) in the Élysée, we did start putting down roots in Maastricht’s municipal council. Because going green doesn't have to wait for us to take a seat in France's presidential palace. We can do so by starting locally and looking at our own (EU) region. Together with the Greens, we support the closure of Maastricht Aachen Airport, and together with the Social Democrats we are advocating [DJ(EG1] for an improved connectivity when it comes to public transportation – both nationally and abroad. Because in the end, as long as it’s cheaper, quicker and more efficient to use pollutive ways of transportation a large chunk of people will not be enticed to move to more sustainable means of transportation. Additionally, we want to look at the city itself. Together with a variety of progressive parties we are looking into finally introducing a car free inner-city to improve the quality of life of people living in and visiting our beautiful and historic city.
4
It’s time for democracy 2.0. Luckily, we don’t even need to go that far to pick up on some best practices. If needed, we can just take the proverbial bike (let’s keep it green!) to Eupen or Aachen. In part due to our party members of Volt Aachen, a randomized yet representative selection of citizens will be given the opportunity to discuss various topics with their elected city council members. In Maastricht, we will also introduce this topic as a pilot - called a “citizen’s council”. But we do not want to stop there. We also want to introduce a registry for lobbyists and lobbying, like the ones already introduced across Europe. By doing so, we will increase transparency for all citizens, so that if people want there is a fully transparent overview of which interests’ group are meeting with our executive councilors and the senior management of our civil service.
5
As long as national politics see Maastricht an appendix or an outskirt of the Netherlands, our city needs a movement like Volt that transcends borders and puts our city back on the map. Maastricht has the potential to become the beating heart of the European continent by being only 30 minutes away from other (foreign) cities such as Liège, Aachen or Heerlen and only an hour away from cities such as Eindhoven, Cologne and Brussels. But we can’t reap before we sow. As such, we need to invest as a city to cooperate with our neighbors, both nationally and internationally. Whether it’s regarding international public transportation, investing in linguistic education, protection of our cross-border workers or an improved cooperation with the Euregion: Maastricht is a European city and therefore deserves a (pro-)European voice in the municipal council.
Group Meeting
Cafe forum
6.11.2023
19:30
Public council meeting November
Every last Monday of the month it's time for the public council meeting! Of course our regular group meetings (by request) are always accessible but during the public council meetings there is more space and you can walk in, without an appointment! p.s. you are also more than welcome if you are not (yet) a member! The language is English but you can ask your questions in Dutch, we are happy to help with translation.
Group Meeting
Cafe forum
5.10.2023
19:00
Europe-themed pub quiz
Here comes the most classic and fun of all get-togethers! Whether you want to meet new people or hang out with old friends - this is your event. We will play a Europe-themed pub quiz in a cosy and welcoming atmosphere at Café Forum (first floor). Get yourself prepared for giggles, a nice beer or tea and some newly gained knowledge you can impress your cat with. Feel free to bring your friends, but also don't hesitate to come on your own, we will take care of you!
Group Meeting
Cafe forum
2.10.2023
19:30
Public council meeting October
Every last Monday of the month it's time for the public council meeting! Of course our regular group meetings (by request) are always accessible but during the public council meetings there is more space and you can walk in, without an appointment! p.s. you are also more than welcome if you are not (yet) a member! The language is English but you can ask your questions in Dutch, we are happy to help with translation.
Group Meeting
Cafe forum
4.9.2023
19:30
Public council meeting September
Trip
Collect from Maastricht station
14.8.2023
12:00
ALABONNEUR! VOLT GOES TO HATCH!
Group Meeting
Cafe forum
3.7.2023
19:30
Public council meeting July
Social meeting
Cafe forum
5.6.2023
19:30
Social meeting June
Group Meeting
Cafe forum
1.5.2023
19:30
Public council meeting May
Group Meeting
Cafe forum
3.4.2023
19:00
Public council meeting April
Group Meeting
Cafe forum
27.2.2023
19:00
Public council meeting February
Group Meeting
Cafe forum
30.1.2023
19:00
Public council meeting January
Group Meeting
Cafe forum
19.12.2022
19:00
Public council meeting December
Group Meeting
Cafe forum
28.11.2022
19:00
Public council meeting November
Social event
Maastricht
5.11.2022
12:00
Flyering with the group (drinks afterwards)
General Assembly
Prague
7.10.2022
8:00
With the group to the General Assembly of Volt Europe
Social event
Cafe Forum
8.9.2022
20:30
Getting to know the Council group
Social event
Liege station
3.9.2022
12:00
Visiting with the Council group to Volt Liege
Social event
Capucijnenstraat 21 C12
21.8.2022
18:00
Summer Activity
Course
Café Forum Maastricht
11.8.2022
20:30
Drinks Café Forum
Social event
Grote gracht 2B
7.7.2022
20:00
Debate training
Find out how you can get involved
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