Mohammed Mohandis

Biography

“Your birthplace shouldn’t matter”

When did I first become aware of politics? You might not expect it of a young Gouda boy born to Moroccan parents, but I started watching parliamentary debates at the age of 12. I did not understand much of what was said, but something drew me in. My first encounter with local politics came when I represented Gouda’s local youth in our bid to get a new football pitch. I joined the Jonge Socialisten, the youth wing of the PvdA, and I became a municipal councillor for the PvdA at age 20. In 2009, I became the national president of the Jonge Socialisten and a year later, in 2010, I stood for the PvdA in the national elections for the first time.

Future

Your birthplace should never decide your future. The government should help people make something of their lives with good youth policy, good poverty policy and good guidance and supervision for ex-convicts. As a representative of the people, I truly want to represent the people, serving as a lynchpin between the people and the government. As an MP, I am eager to champion motivated young people. MBO graduates in particular often have a hard time finding internships. No internship, no degree. No degree, no job. No job, no future. As an MP, I want to keep doing what I have always done since entering politics: getting things done.

Education

• HBO Communication management, direction Government Communication, Utrecht
• MBO level 4 Marketing and Communication, ID College, Gouda
• VBO, Coenegroep College, Gouda

Career

• Policy officer religion, law and society, Kennisinstituut FORUM 2010-2012
• National chairman Young Socialists in the PvdA 2009-2010
• Member of the board Young Socialists 2008-2009
• Communication advisor and policy officer and trainee researcher,Association of Dutch-Moroccans (Samenwerkingsverband van Marokkaanse Nederlanders, SMN), Utrecht 2008-2010
• Internship HBO, Housing association Mozaïek Wonen, Gouda 2008
• Member of the board: press officer, communication and pr advisor, Indoor soccer association Watergras, Gouda 2007-2008
• Member of city council, PvdA, municipality of Gouda 2006-Oct 2012
• Co-founder Youth Committee, Gouda 2005
• National boardmember Young Socialists: unit and member administration 2004-2006
• Co-founder and chairman of the board Young Socialists, Gouda 2004