Together with trade unions FNV and AOb, action group WOinActie will set up a large screen on Dom Square in Utrecht on Monday to watch the EenVandaag party leaders’ debate (in Dutch), broadcast from Ahoy Rotterdam, with as many demonstrators as possible. Prior to the debate, there will be a programme featuring political speakers, followed by an analysis of the debate. The event will begin at 5:30 PM.
The demonstration is necessary because the budget cuts will continue to have an impact, predicts organisational psychologist Jaelah van Tol, a lecturer at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam and an activist for science. She is one of the driving forces behind the WOinActie movement.
Universities are being forced to lay off staff or not renew temporary contracts. Van Tol explains: “Those who remain will have to take on the extra workload. The pressure will increase, and it’s already unnaturally high.”
‘It’s possible’
Protesting makes a difference, she emphasises. “Don’t forget what we’ve already achieved. We tend to lose sight of it, but for example, the penalty for extended study periods was scrapped. In the previous cabinet, a significant amount of funding was added—partly thanks to WOinActie—so it is possible.”
She hopes that parties such as D66, GroenLinks–PvdA, and the SP will come out on top in the upcoming parliamental elections, as they are committed to investing in education and research. Van Tol has less confidence in the CDA, which is polling well. “That party helped push the current cuts through the Senate.” This happened after a compromise in which part of the education cuts—including the extended study penalty—was withdrawn.
HOP, Bas Belleman/Delta, Kim Bakker
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