1. ACCESS | AUTUMN 2016 | 37
Dutch Lifestyle
Raised in Noord-Brabant, Ruud Severijns has an
international background: his mother was from
Northern-Ireland, his father from Indonesia.
“I’m 100% Dutch, but I don’t forget my roots!”
says the Mayor of Oirschot.
A day in the life
of a Dutch mayor
BY OLIVIA VAN DEN BROEK-NERI
In the Netherlands, a mayor takes the role of
representing the citizens of his or her
municipality. But in the smaller municipalities
in Noord-Brabant, mayors get the opportunity
to participate in the daily life of residents.
ACCESS had the chance to interview two
mayors to find out what ‘a day in the life’ is like.
Ruud Severijns
Mayor of Oirschot
since April 2006
Population: 15,000
»

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3. ACCESS | AUTUMN 2016 | 39
Dutch Lifestyle | A day in the life of a Dutch mayor
Now in his second term, Severijns’ personal experi-
ence with cultural diversity has put him at ease in
welcoming all types of people to Oirschot. In May,
for example, he welcomed a group of expats to tour
the town located in De Kempen, nestled between
Tilburg and Eindhoven. He is also welcoming refu-
gees relocating to the area.
The refugee priority
“We have a task from the national government and
province to look after the refugees in our area,” says
Severijns. “As a country, we are used to [assisting
­refugees], but as a mayor, this is the first time I have
had to deal with it.” This task is not taken lightly
by the mayor, which he ranks as his number one
­priority. In previous years, refugees have come from
former colonies of the Netherlands, including
Indonesia and Suriname, and then later the former
Yugoslavia. Today, the majority of refugees resettling
in Oirschot come from Syria and Eritrea. It is expected
that 200 refugees will settle in Oirschot for one year.
“It can be difficult to persuade people to have refu-
gees in their own backyard,” he says. But this is part
of being a mayor; the struggle to represent the opin-
ions of everyone in the community, and to address
their concerns.
Aside from finding appropriate housing for refugees,
Severijns also addresses their need to integrate, with
the help of a local organisation that assists refugees
in learning Dutch. Then, when they are ready to
work, the municipality helps connect them with jobs
at local businesses. The mayor plays a role in intro-
ducing the old and new residents of the town to each
other.
Severijns speaks proudly about Oirschot. He is com-
mitted to being a part of the lives of its residents.
This is the first aspect of his job that shows how Dutch
mayors are involved in their city or town. “If there is
an accident, I go to the family,” he explains. During
these visits, the mayor offers comfort and assistance
to the residents in need.
The military’s mayor
“We have the greatest base here,” says Severijns.
Oirschot is home to the 13 Lichte Brigade, which
consists of 3,000 military of civilian employees.
Mayor Severijns has formed a special bond with
the military as a result. “I have a lot of contact with
the military. They say, ‘You are our mayor!’” He adds
that he is using his contacts in The Hague to help
improve policies for the military.
Young aspirations
Jack Mikkers decided that he would become a mayor
when he was 11 years old. “My teacher was appointed
a mayor and our class was invited to his inaugura-
tion,” says Mikkers. “I thought this was magical!”
As he speaks about that day, he begins to smile and
you can understand why after finishing his studies,
he decided to pursue that dream.
Community is about connections
“They always have the urge to make connections.
[People] want to listen to experiences of other people.
People are curious,” says Mikkers. He recognizes
communication as the key to help integrate
Veldhoven’s newest citizens, which include expats
who are working in the Brainport Region, as well as
refugees who are settling in the area.
Facts about mayors
•There are 390 mayors in the Netherlands.
•The mayor (burgemeester) is not elected, but is appointed by the King of the Netherlands
for a six-year term. The city or town Council must then approve.
•Dutch mayors are not political figures, but do have their own portfolios, often including
safety and public order.
•Ton Rombouts, mayor of ‘s-Hertogenbosch for 19 years, is the longest-serving mayor in
the country.
People always have the urge to make
connections… to listen to experiences
of other people. People are curious.
»

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5. ACCESS | AUTUMN 2016 | 41
Dutch Lifestyle | A day in the life of a Dutch mayor
“You have to make connections or else you won’t
integrate,” says Mikkers who knows this first-hand.
At 15 years old, he spent a year as a foreign exchange
student in the US. The time he spent in a town 36 miles
from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, was, as he points out,
“before the internet!” Although he could only speak
with his family once a month, he enjoyed his time
in the Midwest because of the connections he made
with his local community; he was manager of the
high school wrestling team and he went to prom
(an end-of-year dance for students).
It was the sense of commitment that Mikkers
received from his American host family that helped
prepare him to become mayor of Veldhoven. Mikkers
understands how important it is for new residents–
including expats who are only temporarily in the
Netherlands–to connect and to feel at home in their
adopted town, and the importance of the municipal-
ity in showing their commitment to them. That is
why he supports the Local Host Program that is
organized by the Veldhoven Tourism Board, along
with international and Dutch volunteers.
He is also a strong supporter of teaching English
­earlier in primary schools. “The labour market is
international and to get a good job, you have to speak
good English,” says Mikkers. He says this education
is crucial in helping to prepare the younger genera-
tion for the future job market.
From royalty to residents
Mikkers has met His Majesty King Willem-Alexander
a few times, and Her Majesty Queen Máxima twice,
both times at the Máxima Medical Centre in
Veldhoven. “When Queen Máxima comes into a
room, everyone smiles,” says Mikkers.
But he appreciates meeting local residents just as
much. He recalls two 70th wedding anniversaries
and how much he enjoyed meeting with the couples.
He went onto explain that when a Veldhoven resident
turns 100, he or she gets to choose where they would
like a tree planted to recognize their milestone. He
recalls a special moment a few years ago dancing
with a lady who had turned 100 years old.
Mikkers likes to visit residents to celebrate such
milestones. “You hear about the dreams they had,”
he says. “I have a rich job!” «
About the author
Olivia van den Broek-Neri is originally from the US. She has
lived in the Netherlands for 10 years and is currently Project
Coordinator for Communications Events at Holland Expat
Center South.
Jack Mikkers
Mayor of Veldhoven since May 2007
Population: 45,000