Assen has a new children’s council and children’s mayor. The 28 young people were officially installed in the council chamber tonight, with Fieke Warners being sworn in as children’s mayor and Anna-Karlijn van den Berg as deputy children’s mayor.
A little tense, but with a big smile Fieke was given the special chain of office by ‘grown-up mayor’ Marco Out.
Despite her age, the 11-year-old girl has great ambitions for the Drenthe capital. According to Fieke, there are six points for improvement. “I want to ensure healthier food for everyone. So that everyone eats a tasty, but also healthy meal in the evening,” she says. “And that everyone is listened to, including people with a disability, illness or fear.” She forgot about the rest of the points.
It is Assen’s fourth children’s council. In 2019, this was created by the municipality to involve young people more in politics and to give them influence. The children’s council advises on matters that concern the youngest inhabitants of the city.
All primary schools in Assen are approached to delegate a councilor from their group 8 to the children’s council. Fieke attends primary school De Kloostertuin in Kloosterveen. According to her teacher, she is a born political leader. “During circle discussions and discussion moments in class, I see that Fieke can express her opinion very clearly and formulate it well,” says Sonina Stahlmecke.
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