The province of South Holland has become the first province in the Netherlands to sign the Amsterdam Declaration. The declaration was established in 2011 by the Workplace Pride foundation, which is committed worldwide to the emancipation of the LGBTQIA+ community in the workplace.

With this signing, the province of South Holland commits to providing a safe and comfortable workplace, with equal opportunities for LGBTQIA+ employees.

Provincial Secretary Marcel van Bijnen signed the declaration in the presence of an overwhelmingly large group of colleagues: “As the general director of the province of South Holland, I find it natural and necessary that everyone feels safe, respected, and seen in the workplace. With this signing, we express that as an organization we actively contribute to an organization where LGBTQIA+ individuals can be fully themselves. Not just in words, but also in behavior, policy, and culture.”

“We recognize that diversity makes our organization stronger and that inclusion is not a side issue, but a core value. It requires continuous attention, courage to listen, and the willingness to also scrutinize ones own actions. This declaration is not a symbolic moment, but a promise. A promise to our employees, to future generations, and to all partners with whom we collaborate: we are building a work culture in which differences are not tolerated, but valued.”