“Our society craves boredom,” said King’s Commissioner Ina Adema in her New Year’s speech on Thursday afternoon. According to her, boredom is not a weakness, but the new form of courage. In addition, Adema spoke out strongly against intimidation of administrators and representatives and underlined the importance of cooperation, culture and innovation. Three well-known Brabant residents received the title ‘Honorary Citizen of Brabant’.
In her speech in the provincial government building in Den Bosch, the King’s Commissioner focused on three themes: boring, together and sparkling. “Not boring as colorless or conservative, but boring as: predictable, reliable and responsible,” said Adema.
According to her, it is important that Brabanders know where they stand. According to her, this will work if the basics are in order and people do not shout, but invest in the future. “A minister who has a portfolio in order. A cabinet that does not fall, but stands – even when it storms. A policy in which office holders are treated with respect,” she summarized.
Fist against intimidation
Following an action by Farmers Defense Force (FDF) in December, the commissioner spoke out strongly against intimidation of administrators and representatives. The farmers’ organization had bailiffs deliver letters to members of Parliament at their homes, to persuade them not to agree to the province’s new agricultural plans.
In addition, Adema saw intimidation and violence towards councilors and administrators surrounding plans for asylum seeker centers. “A robust debate is part of democracy, but scaremongering and threats are unacceptable,” she emphasized.
According to the commissioner, the theme ‘together’ is crucial to move forward with important social tasks such as nature restoration, broad prosperity and energy transition, urban renewal, accessibility, wildfire management and recognition of Q fever and Long COVID patients.
Serious Request and Rijksmuseum Eindhoven
Adema mentioned Serious Request in Den Bosch as a recent example of social solidarity. She cited the arrival of the Rijksmuseum in Eindhoven as an example of ambition and administrative courage.
According to the commissioner, Sparkling represents Brabant as a creative, cultural and innovative province. Three well-known Brabant residents who underline this as ambassadors of the province were given the title ‘Honorary Citizen of Brabant’:
- Linguist Wim Daniëls from Aarle-Rixtel
- Singer Corry Konings from Tilburg
- Actor Frank Lammers from Mierlo