What does your vote mean?
16 September 2025
On the International Day of Democracy and the day before Prinsjesdag, one central question took the spotlight at the Speaker’s Corner in our main building: What does our vote actually mean?
During the event “And what about my vote…”, organized by The Lighthouse in collaboration with the Montesquieu Institute, students, politicians, and experts engaged in dialogue about the power and limitations of our democracy.
The mayor of The Hague, Jan van Zanen, opened the gathering with a powerful call to action: “Use your vote, because it concerns your future. Democracy is not a given, but something we must fight for every day and with every vote.” He emphasized that it’s not just about debating, but truly listening to one another and entering into open conversation.
The value of democracy
In the debates, moderated by our students Ocke Siertsema and Thijmen Puite, three current propositions were discussed: Do votes still make a difference? What role does social media play? And how do you balance individual feelings with the public interest? Politicians such as Marjolein Moorman (PvdA), Thom van Campen (VVD), and our own lecturer Caroline Verduin (D66) engaged in lively discussions with the highly involved student audience.
Why this conversation belongs here
“Young people often don’t realize how special it is that they’re even allowed to vote”, says Marjolein. “And they often think one vote doesn’t matter, when it’s really about the sum you create together. So don’t underestimate the value of your vote.” Thom pointed out that universities are the perfect place for this conversation: “Politics may seem distant, but students are close to entering the job market and will soon be part of it themselves. So yes, your vote absolutely matters.” Caroline emphasized the importance of bringing politics into our institution: “Politics often feels like something far removed from our daily lives. By bringing key political figures into our school, we make students part of the conversation.”
A personal closing
The evening concluded with a strong column by Lotfi El Hamidi, writer for De Groene Amsterdammer: “My father had lived in the Netherlands for years and only applied for his passport so that he could vote.” His personal story powerfully illustrated just how important and impactful every vote truly is.