1) Consolidating a new position for GroenLinks

GroenLinks claims to be the first and foremost advocate of multiculturalism in the dutch political arena, long before the popularity of Pechtold. It is true, nevertheless, that in the recent past we have missed the connection with our "multiculti voter". We are critical to the old multiculturalism that confines individuals in watertight cultural boxes and we are also critical of the culture suprematists having wet dreams with a homogeneous society controlled by normative values, but we have not yet consolidated a publicly recognized middle way. The Kleurrijk Platform recognizes the Zeau 2001 manifesto as a first step towards this desired middle way. Outside the rooms where politics are -hotly- debated by politicians, a growing sense of boredom with the polarization of the discourse grows. A first generation of migrants moved out of normative societies, and a second and third generation has no interest whatsoever in being categorized as foreigner. GroenLinks election program should recognize this tectonic shift in the societal debate, and position itself accordingly. The Kleurrijk Platform calls for less attention to the polarized us/them debate and more recognition to the diverse we... that we all are today. 

2) From cultural emancipation to a societal case for diversity

Recognition and mainstreaming of diversity as a positive characteristic of our existing society must not imply the bagatelization of the existing problems faced by our diverse society. It is the view of the Kleurrijk Platform that concrete policy proposed and supported by GroenLinks should focus on the fighting of economical exclusion. It is a painful truth that the allochtoon sector of the dutch population faces higher levels of economical exclusion. Enough has been shouted on culture being a hindering factor for emancipation. It is high time for recognize and support  the role that diversity has for development. Today should be unthinkable to organize a business, a NGO or a club without including diverse perspectives and actors. Not (only) because inclusion is a right for the excluded, but (mostly) because diversity is a qualitative asset. The lack of allochtoon participation in the higher levels of societal organizations, both public and private, should be fought because diversity improves the quality of any organization, and not because allochtonen are pathetic individuals that must be pushed upwards. We need diversity for improved quality. 

3) Our identity in the world

As much as GroenLinks is a foremost advocate of tolerance and multiculturalism, the Netherlands and her inhabitants have been -by far and large- one of the most tolerant countries in the world. Not because all dutch persons love to have a bizarre neighbor, but certainly due to an ingrained sense of curiosity for the world at large, and a healthy skepticism for overruling norms of conduct. Nobody, and certainly not a dutch, likes to have her identity dictated by a government, but nobody likes to doubt about her own identity. In the hammering on that doubt lies the great success of the wilderism (they are taking over your society and you will have to become like them, because you don't know what you are any longer). It is the opinion of the Kleurrijk Platform that GroenLinks should hammer on a different component of the dutch identity: our great interest in all what is different, our commitment with the world at large, our cultural and economical presence, intertwined in the fate of many nations beyond our dikes. The identity question has been raised by the right conservative politicians with success. It is time for us to answer loud and clear: we are diverse, curious and cosmopolitan. We care for the world and the world care for us. And we are proud of it.