"Bekend maakt bemind 2.0": why meeting each other matters
In September 2023, Itay Garmy (Volt) and Sheher Khan (DENK) introduced the initiative “Bekend maakt Bemind”. Their idea was simple: bring Amsterdammers into contact with one another, especially when they are different.
Since October 7, 2023, this has only become more important. The war in Israel and Gaza has led to increased tensions in the Netherlands as well. In schools, community centers, and on the streets, it became clear how quickly conversations break down, or stop happening altogether.
At the same time, we saw something else. When people do talk to each other, something changes. People listen. They ask questions. And sometimes, their perception of the other shifts.
For Itay, this became very clear. He heard multiple times:
“You are the first Jewish person I have ever met.”
That shows how little people sometimes know each other, and how easy it is to form opinions without ever hearing someone else’s story.
More and more, we live in our own bubbles. We follow people who are like us. We mostly read what we already agree with. As a result, real conversations no longer happen naturally.
That is why there is now "Bekend maakt Bemind 2.0".
With this proposal, we ask the municipality to structurally organize dialogue and encounters. This means that in every district, there will be more frequent conversations between groups who rarely speak to each other. Not only when tensions arise, but especially when things are calm.
Districts will have the space to decide which groups and topics are relevant in their neighborhoods, and how these conversations are organized. This ensures they better reflect local needs.
Research shows that these kinds of encounters help reduce prejudice and increase mutual understanding. In this way, we prevent people from ending up on opposite sides.
Think of conversations in community centers, schools, or within neighborhoods. Small groups, close to home. Organized by people who know the area. This makes it easier for people to truly meet one another.
The goal is not for everyone to agree, but for people to understand each other better, to hear the story behind an opinion.
One principle is essential: everyone has equal rights. Freedom, safety, and respect apply to all.
Only by continuing to meet each other can we live together as a city.
Not alongside one another, but with one another.
That is why we must keep talking. Especially now.