EN 
NL 
How will your vote in local elections affect foreign countries?
According to speakers at our political café ‘Local goes international’ local politics plays a very big role. Because international solidarity does not only arise in The Hague, Brussels or at the UN, but rather locally - in the city, on the streets and in the municipal council.
Activism and local democracy
In the first panel, Extinction Rebellion, Nijmegen Encampment and VluchtelingenWerk talked about the space for activism and the role of the municipality. Demonstrations are increasingly problematic, while protest is an essential part of a healthy democracy. The panellists expressed concerns about police violence and pressure on the right to demonstrate.
At the same time, it was stressed that municipalities can make a difference. Climate policy is largely implemented locally, and in the case of migration the municipality plays a crucial role in reception and support. VluchtelingenWerk expressed its appreciation for the cooperation with the municipality of Nijmegen and mentioned initiatives such as citizens' councils as positive examples of involved local democracy.
A major bottleneck is the disappearance of affordable meeting places for activists, such as squats. This limits the space for organisation and social debate.
Administrative space and international solidarity
In the second panel, councillors from GroenLinks, PvdA and VNG International discussed the room municipalities have to show international solidarity, even when national policies are restrictive. It was emphasised that municipalities are not powerless, but can actually make a difference locally by continuing to provide support to undocumented migrants and refugees. Actively speaking out against exclusion, for example when criminalising the undocumented, makes a real difference. By focusing on human dignity, local policies can be an important counterweight to hardened national policies.
Town twinning was also discussed. International cooperation should focus less on economic gain and more on reciprocity and joint learning. It was emphasised that international themes such as Palestine and Kurdistan are not far away from the city, but live locally because these communities are part of Nijmegen. International solidarity is thus not an abstract principle, but a reality that is visible in the city every day.
Vote 18 March with international in mind
The evening made it clear: local policies matter. Municipalities, activists and residents together play a key role in international solidarity. It is precisely locally that change begins.
