The Young Democrats (JD) is a social-liberal youth organisation in the Netherlands, founded in 1984. Although independent, it is affiliated with the social-liberal Democrats 66 party. With over 5,000 members, it is the largest political youth organisation of the Netherlands.

Principles

According to its Declaration of Principles, the Young Democrats are a liberal-democratic youth organisation. Its main objective is to contribute to the individual development of every person. Core values of the Young Democrats are liberty, equality, solidarity, sustainability and pragmatism. The JD is also in favour of the radical democratisation of society.

Policies

Organisation

Within the Young Democrats power lies with the members. The Congress is the sovereign body of the Young Democrats and meets three times a year. During the Congress members of the National Board are elected individually and JD policy is decided through resolutions, amendments and motions. All members have equal say through the one man, one vote system.

National Board

The day-to-day management of the Young Democrats is in the hands of the National Board, the members of which are:

Local branches

Currently the Young Democrats have eight local branches, most of which are based in university cities, such as Amsterdam, Utrecht, Rotterdam and Leiden. Every branch has a local board and organises regular general meetings where local board members are elected and policy is decided. Every local member has the right to vote at the local general meetings. The local branches are:

International ties

The Young Democrats of the Netherlands, similarly to the Youth Organisation Freedom and Democracy (JOVD), are members of both the European Liberal Youth (LYMEC) and the International Federation of Liberal Youth (IFLRY). Young Democrat Bart Woord was the president of the IFLRY Bureau from November 2009 to November 2010. Furthermore, there exist close bilateral ties with the German, Belgian, British and Tunisian young liberals.