On 10 September 2024, King Willem-Alexander came to Ten Boer to talk with young people from the earthquake area. Jong Noord was there.
We used that conversation to defend the importance of investing in the mental wellbeing of young people in Groningen. Psychosocial care for children and young people in the earthquake area must be redesigned, with prevention at every level. That prevention is often already part of small, local initiatives. They deserve the space and the means to continue.
A gift from young people in the earthquake area
We were allowed to give the king a gift. Young people from the earthquake area made it. It is called ‘Our future in Groningen’: an empty canvas in a frame, with a tear in it. Light shines through the tear with a golden glow.
The canvas stands for the open future of young people in Groningen. The tear stands for the past. There is still enough room to fill in the future together.
The letter
There is a letter to the king on the back of the frame. This is the text:
Your Majesty,
With due pride we offer you this gift, titled ‘Our future in Groningen’. It is an empty canvas, framed, with a tear in it. Light shines through the tear with a golden glow.
The canvas symbolises the open future of young people in Groningen, while the tear reflects our past. Still, there is enough room to fill in the future together.
We, young people in Groningen, want to help shape our own future. Give us the means and the trust to take an active part in decisions. Make sure investments such as Nij Begun reach local people well, based on trust.
As Hanze University of Applied Sciences confirms in its report ‘Herstel En Versterk De Groninger Jeugd, Nu!’ (Restore and Strengthen Groningen Youth, Now!), we must redesign psychosocial care for children and young people in the earthquake area and invest in prevention at every level.
That preventive role is often present, sometimes without people noticing, in small and local initiatives. Give these initiatives the space and the means to continue and to play their preventive role. With trust in the strength of the local community, it becomes visible what it can do.
We have big steps to take on livelihood security, equal opportunities and the mental health of the new generation of Groningers. Where there is a lot of room for improvement, there are also big chances. We trust that with you as a partner we can use these chances, and we look to the future with hope.
With a youthful greeting,
On behalf of young people in Groningen.
