Derk Boswijk

Boswijk, CDA, including logo on the bottom left

Summary

Derk Boswijk is born in Woerden on 8 April 1989 and lives in Kockengen. He is in total 1113 days active in the House of Representatives.

Social media links

Biography

"Believe you can and you're halfway there" –Theodore Roosevelt

Fewer and fewer people feel represented in Dutch politics. I am eager to give these people a voice and serve as an interface between different groups. Theodore Roosevelt, the US president of the early 20th century, is an inspiration to me, and I enjoy reading and writing books on politics and history.

Climate

Climate change is a fact and we have to embrace other sources of energy. It is important to practice what you preach, which is why I have been living in an almost zero-energy wooden home for years. At the same time, low-income households are often unable to take sustainability measures and are understandably unhappy with the increase in excise duties. Rather than getting stuck in an emotional debate about climate, we should be led by the cold, hard facts.

Poor relation

Because of my military background, defence is one of my other core interests. We are faced by enormous geopolitical challenges and are currently entirely too naive. Our armed forces should no longer be an afterthought and the 2% NATO investment guideline should be established by law.

Construction

Before I was an MP, I worked as a property developer and saw first hand how we left the country’s housing challenge to the whims of the market. Too many new construction projects serve the needs of the market, rather than the needs of society; first-time buyers and senior citizens. I also experienced just how time-consuming it can be for developers to comply with building regulations, which are changed every year. I am in favour of reviewing the rules every four years, but being ambitious in the process.

Education

  • Initial Reserve Officer training, The Royal Military Academy, 2019-2020
  • Master Urban and Area Development, Hogeschool Utrecht & Saxion Hogeschool, 2017-2019
  • Pre- Master Public Administration, University of Leiden, 2013-2014
  • HBO Industrial Engineering & Management, Hogeschool van Amsterdam, 2009-2013
  • MBO engineering, ROC ASA, Utrecht, 2005-2009

Career

  • Reserve officer in training, Royal Netherlands Army, from 2019
  • Party leader CDA for the Province of Utrecht, Province of Utrecht, From 2019
  • Project developer, Heyen Beheer BV, From 2016
  • Member of the provincial council, Province of Utrecht, 2015-2019
  • Owner engineering firm BOSONS, 2006-2016
  • Assistant estate agent, Korver Makelaars, Mijdrecht 2005-2006

Committees