28 August 2019
ECN.TNO and sustainability platform SummerLabb have been scouting for talent for the role of Mayor of Your North Sea (BVJN) in recent months. Mariken Betsema was the very first Mayor and wore her chains of office since September 2018. We will discover who will succeed her on Friday, 6 September, during the opening evening of SummerLabb at the World Port Days festival 2019.
The top 3 candidates are Mandy Brussaard (Hoorn), Marcelien Bos-De Koning (Muiderberg) and Caroline Kamerbeek (Velp). The judging panel consists of three highly experienced North Sea experts: Leo de Vrees of Rijkswaterstaat, Ron Thiemann of Deltares and Rene Peters of ECN.TNO.
The Mayor of Your North Sea must act with independence, not be afraid to take a prominent position in society, and play an active role as a public representative for the North Sea.
On the importance of the role of North Sea mayor, the chairman of the judging panel, HRH Prince Carlos of Bourbon-Parma says:
“Now that we have completed the first exploratory year of the Mayor of Your North Sea, it is time to pick up the pace with a busy annual agenda. More media- and event-oriented activities will ensure that we can tell the great story of our great sea in more detail. The North Sea is the place where the energy transition will become visible. What is clear is that the transition will be a process of trial and error. But what is at least as important is that all these developments and the search for the right balance are explained more fully and more clearly. This is why the role of the Mayor of Your North Sea is so important. I see the Mayor as someone who can share knowledge with the public and therefore contribute to a vision that enjoys broad support.”
The inaugural party of the Mayor of Your North Sea will be presented by Jan Douwe Kroeske. HRH Prince Carlos of Bourbon-Parma will explain the choice and annual agenda, and carry out the official appointment.