1. Welcome and history
I would like to welcome you to Amsterdam. As Councilwoman Van Es said this morning, we
are proud that Amsterdam has the privilege of being your host this week. The conference is
very much in line with our history and beliefs. At the end of the 16th century, Amsterdam
was a refuge for Jews, the Flemish and people from Brabant who were branded as heretics
in the Spanish Inquisition. Decades later, Huguenots found a safe haven here. After the
Second World War, Indonesian-Dutch, Turks, Moroccans, Surinamese and Antilleans
settled in Amsterdam in large numbers. All of these groups have made Amsterdam what it
is today: a dynamic city where 180 nationalities feel like Amsterdammers (Amsterdam
citizens) and are Amsterdammers. What is the current state of this highly diverse
Amsterdam society? This is what I would like to talk about today.
Mayor of Beijing
Last year, the Mayor of Beijing confirmed that we have remained true to our history. His
visit to Amsterdam included a canal cruise. When he got out of the boat in front of my
house, he said “What I find most attractive about Amsterdam is…” and I thought he would
mention the canal district. But instead, he said: “its openness and inclusivity”. This is very
important and, by the way, tells also something about the fast and substantial
developments in China. And of course, it is nice to have one’s beliefs confirmed as well.
Response to the idea that the multicultural society is bankrupt
Shortly before the mayor’s visit, several prominent European leaders (Angela Merkel,
Nicolas Sarkozy and David Cameron) declared the multicultural society bankrupt. Certain
parties here in the Netherlands employ the same rhetoric. These statements call to mind
the story of Octavius, the later Roman emperor Augustus. In 31 B.C., after defeating his
rival Marcus Antonius, Octavius returned to Actium where he was given a hero’s welcome.
There was a man in the crowd holding a raven. “Ave, Caesar, victor imperator!” the bird
called. Flattered by the compliment, Octavius gave him a generous reward. A jealous
spectator spoke up: “He has a second raven, he should get thát one, too”. The bird was
brought out and appeared to have been taught a different cheer. “Ave, Antonius, victor
imperator!” it cried out.
The birdman had trained a raven for each possible outcome of the battle between the
rivals. The rhetoric about the multicultural society has often the same opportunistic feel to it.

2. Not belief, but the tendency of the day determines whichever raven is presented. Yesterday
it called “Muslims!” Today it calls “Eastern Europeans!”
Extreme diversity is reality
This is not an option for a city. A city is not about abstractions. In a city you are dealing with
real people, with real lives. Extreme diversity is a fact here, a reality. And ‘funny enough’,
over here, in the city, the society with its 180 nationalities is seen as an enrichment rather
than a failure.
Despite the fact that only a third of the city’s residents was born in Amsterdam, studies
show that people feel at home here. Many third generation immigrants consider themselves
first and foremost Amsterdammer, followed by “Turk” or “Moroccan” or “Dutch”. The city
forms an important part of their identity. Yes, the ties to individual communities are often
strong. However, especially schools and the workplace (but also sports and culture) serve
as ‘integration machines’. Ten years ago 30% of the immigrant families spoke Dutch at
home. Now, it’s 70%.
Good foundation, still plenty of room for improvement
The foundation is good, but there is still plenty of room for improvement. The hyper divers
society does come with difficulties, too. Certain groups feel excluded, don’t participate
enough and are falling behind. For example, unskilled Amsterdammers of Turkish and
Moroccan descent have less contact with people with a different background. Some are
considerably less tolerant with respect to gays and Jews. And they are more likely to feel
discriminated against. The crime rate among youth with a foreign background is still too
high.
Amsterdam’s diversity policy
Amsterdam is working hard to further improve it’s diverse society. We began to implement
an active diversity policy in the nineteen-eighties. Of course, this policy has changed a lot
over the years. For example, we started off giving sewing classes to women with a foreign
background. For them these classes were free of charge, Dutch women had to pay,
however. Government was institutionalising inequality instead of dissolving it. Today, we
have a different approach. We believe integration is a two-way street, which results in more
honest and transparent expectations. Now, all parties acknowledge that both the

3. government and the people have responsibilities and must take efforts. The equality of
rights and of duties, deriving from the rule of law, constitute the fundament of our policies.
Over the years these policies have shifted from “taking care of” to “taking care that”. Our
job is to establish conditions under which people can live together in harmony. That means
radiating trust, maintaining the public space, and stimulating interaction. At the
administrative level: we aim to achieve the most accurate representation of the Amsterdam
population possible in the local authority, the police force and the city council. At the social
level: we foster dialogue between institutions. Jews and Moroccans team up in a Network,
gay rights groups visit schools, for example. At the residential level we use good facilities to
encourage informal contact: with good schools, safe neighbourhoods and public sports
fields.
Living in a society is like living in a family
A safe and pleasant society does come easy. It takes hard work. On the part of the city,
organisations, businesses and last but not least (first of all) by the citizens of Amsterdam
themselves. Ultimately, it is up to them to do it together. In the end, living in a society is like
living in a family. It’s about willingness to invest time. About sharing visions and thoughts
and about setting your boundaries in a respectful way. It must be a two-way street of give
and take. Although this is easier said than done, looking at the dynamics of Amsterdam, I
think we succeed quite well. The 180 nationalities have become an important asset of this
city. An USP that plays an important role in attracting international business. People from
all over the world feel welcome and at home here.
Integrating Cities: we practice what we preach
When it comes to Integrating Cities, we practice what we preach. This is why I am proud
that Amsterdam is hosting this year’s conference. Coming together and sharing our
thoughts and visions is what keeps the dialogue going. With the Integrating Cities Platform
and this series of conferences, Eurocities is certainly a good first step in the direction that
will be followed in the future.
In this way, the participating cities are taking responsibility. A Europe that recognises the
importance of cities and their best practices for both EU and national policy is in our best
interest. Why? It provides a twofold counterbalance to national policy, which is often too far
removed from reality. And which as a result ends up overly influenced by frames and
emotion.

4. Closing
Ladies and gentlemen,
What is the state of Amsterdam’s extremely diverse society? Good, with room for
improvement. We will continue to adapt our policy, not to short-lived fashionable topics, but
to the real issues of the day. During the last 30 years we have tried many different ways to
make our diverse society pleasant for everyone. This has provided us with a list of do’s and
don’ts. We keep adding to this list every day. The same is undoubtedly true for other
European cities.
This is why this conference is so important. It gives us a place to share our best practices.
To collectively have an influence at European level. And to get national governments to
base their policies on the reality. Which, as it turns out, is more diverse than portrayed.
I wish you a very nice stay in Amsterdam, with interesting dialogue and fruitful exchange.
Thank you.