In 1989, a StemWijzer was first released in the form of a brochure and a floppy disk for the Second Chamber elections of that year. Now, 25 years later, the StemWijzer has grown into the most widely used internet application during election time and StemWijzers are also made in many foreign countries for use on computers, tablets and smartphones.

On the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the StemWijzer, ProDemos is organizing a symposium. The focus will be on the history, development and future of the StemWijzer, and voting aids in general. With various speakers, each involved in the StemWijzer in their own way, we will discuss what the StemWijzer has brought about in the Netherlands and abroad. What is the impact on politics, on voters and on elected officials? We would like to hear from you whether you will be attending the symposium.

You can register (free of charge) via  aanmelden@prodemos.nl .

I hope to meet you on Wednesday, December 17th.Yours sincerely,Kars VelingDirector ProDemos – House for democracy and the rule of law

Program

2.30 – 3.00 pmArrival with coffee/tea.15.00 – 15.10Welcome by chair Kars Veling. Kars Veling is director of ProDemos.15.10 – 16.00Interview with Paul Lucardie, Kees Aarts and Stefaan Walgrave.Paul Lucardie is a former employee of the Documentation Centre for Dutch Political Parties and initiator of the first StemWijzer.Kees Aarts is a professor of Political Science at the University of Twente and closely involved in the National Voter Survey.

Stefaan Walgrave is professor of Political Science at the University of Antwerp, responsible for Doe de Stemtest and member of the international research group Voting Advice Applications.

4:00 – 4:15 PMBreak.16.15 – 17.00 hrsInterview with Jack de Vries.Jack de Vries was the CDA campaign leader for the 2006 elections and was the CDA’s contact person for StemWijzer in 1998, 2002 and 2003. He is currently a board member at Hill and Knowlton Strategies Nederland.5:00 – 5:20 PMLecture by Renate Boere.Renate Boere is a graphic design teacher at the Willem de Kooning Academy and responsible for the development of the StemWijzerWinkel, StemWijzerMarkt and the StickerStemWijzer.17.20 – 17.40Presentation 25 years of StemWijzer by Jochum de Graaf. Jochum de Graaf is project leader at ProDemos and has been involved in the development of StemWijzer from the start.5.40 – 5.45 pmClosing by Kars Veling.5:45 PMDrinks.