I amsterdam - Action plan ‘We, the people of Amsterdam’

In 2006 a second version of the action plan emerged, in which the emphasis shifted to the underlying reasons for radicalisation and polarisation. The main themes of the new plan are:

(1)     accumulation of social capital;
(2)     establishing limits, demands; and
(3)     offering perspective and opportunities.

The conclusions and recommendations reached in the investigation into the process of radicalisation among Muslims in Amsterdam by the IMES, which was published in October 2006, endorse the broad approach advocated by ‘We, the people of Amsterdam’. The IMES (Institute for Migration and Ethnic Studies of the Universiteit van Amsterdam) advised the municipal administration to direct its measures at increasing the social and political confidence of Amsterdammers and the religious resilience of the Amsterdam Muslim community, among others.

Platform Amsterdam Together
In mid-2006 the Platform Amsterdam Together (PAS) was founded. This platform focuses on improving the social cohesion in the city and the realisation of the objectives of the ‘We, the people of Amsterdam’ programme. PAS acts as a powerhouse for activities in the field of social cohesion and stability in Amsterdam. The Platform also functions as an information brokerage and initiator of action programmes.

Based on analyses in the action plan ‘We, the people of Amsterdam’ and the results of the investigation carried out by the IMES into the processes of radicalisation in Amsterdam, objectives and strategic starting points of ‘We, the people of Amsterdam’ have been formulated:

1. Uniting people with the city and each other

Targets are social cohesion, binding and bridging social capital, commitment to and pride in the city and (visible) opportunities in the city. The

approach comprises the strengthening and linking of networks, investing in relations with key figures, deploying existing social capital, by means of, among others, connecting elite groups, realising meetings between (groups of) people through the use of key facilities, such as sport, culture, economy and education.

Examples of projects:

• Platform gatherings. By regularly organising theme meetings at fixed locations, an opportunity for exchange, network building and involvement is created (examples of themes are: the effectiveness of welfare in 2007, and the separation of religion and state).
• Social cohesion Think Tanks. Owing to the success of the first Think Tank in the Oost/Watergraafsmeer district, Think Tanks have now also been set up in other parts of the city. Think Tanks advise on improving the social cohesion in a particular area of the city. In addition, the Think Tank also initiates activities aimed at improving contacts among social groups. Other residents are also actively involved in developing these plans.
• Canon of history of Amsterdam.By contributing to the historical awareness of Amsterdammers and stimulating pride in the city, the emphasis shifts to things people have in common with each other and with the city.
• AT5 soap West Side. The series is about four families of Turkish, Moroccan, Surinam and Dutch origin. The families struggle with their own lives and related themes such as: love, discrimination, education, friendship and work. Acceptance of each other’s culture is central to the series.
• Urban Games. Urban Games is an initiative originating directly from society. The numerous encounters during the competitions, but primarily in the course of the preparations, were aimed at promoting social cohesion at neighbourhood and at urban level.
• Campaign ‘What are you doing for the city?’ The campaign serves to put Amsterdammers who carry out a variety of voluntary work in the limelight and to encourage others to do voluntary work.
• The Good Ideas Centre (Het Meldpunt Goede Ideeën). Since 2005 the Good Ideas Centre is the place where Amsterdammers can go with their good ideas to improve the contact between the different groups of residents.
• Pilot Connect Welfare Foundation. Connect is an initiative of a group of Amsterdammers aimed at promoting positive future prospects for young people with problems. Connect aims at innovatively combining different initiatives which contribute to developing a perspective for young people. Connect also seeks new, unusual and pioneering approaches and initiatives to create perspective for the city’s youth. Connect takes over where regular organisations are no longer able to offer support.

2. Developing Amsterdam’s resilience to polarisation

Targets are the promotion of mutual respect, reducing (feelings of) discrimination, a tolerant approach to religious persuasion and less disruptive, provocative behaviour. The approach comprises the participation in and influencing of public debate, broadly and narrowly defined actions against (feelings of) discrimination and bias, and involving teachers and parents in solving problems facing and created by young people.

Examples of projects:

• Increasing awareness of the Complaints Bureau for Discrimination Amsterdam (Meldpunt Discriminatie Amsterdam).
• Campaign against discriminating admission policy applied by catering establishments in the city.

3. Opposing radicalisation

Targets are (religious) resilience of the Muslim community and active involvement of professionals and mosques in opposing radicalisation. The approach comprises the creation of support for or the support of Muslim organisations and mosques, supporting organisations that make diversity in the Islam visible and promoting dialogue, involving and advising professionals, particularly those working with young people, and propagating a strict anti-radicalisation policy and tolerance of religious orthodoxy.

Examples of projects:

• Information Collection Radicalisation (Informatiehuishouding Radicalisering) (and AOR). Expertise relating to dealing with radicalisation and network of experts and professionals.
• Radicalisation expert Slotervaart district
• Development of local alert network in the case of tensions

4. City districts adopt their own policy

‘We, the people of Amsterdam’ is about social trust and a resilient society and incorporates a broad, integrated approach. The problems addressed by ‘We, the people of Amsterdam’ affect the entire city and its residents can therefore provide a valuable contribution to finding solutions. The city districts, in particular, play an important role in this process. Since 2006, the city districts have their own ‘We, the people of Amsterdam’ budget, which they use for (supporting) city district projects that combat polarisation and promote social cohesion. A few examples of the city district projects:

• Platforms to discuss Islamophobia and homophobia
• Protocols for incidents
• World neighbourhood day
• Passport to your dream of the future
• Ramadan activities.