“I don’t know if I still see the Netherlands as my home.”

Rooted participant

This statement, echoed by many others, reflects a growing doubt about the sense of “belonging” in The Netherlands. Meanwhile, research shows that the majority of the Dutch population feels they have to take a firm stance on migration: for or against. They experience a nuanced position as impossible. This contributes to an us-them society, at the expense of a shared sense of belonging and unity.

Against this background, Rooted was founded, with the aim of fostering dignified and meaningful integration to eventually contribute to a more inclusive and cohesive society.

About 26% of the Dutch population has a migration background. People come to The Netherlands from all parts of the world, for a variety of reasons. Some of them decide to make the Netherlands their home. The Dutch government has set as objective that all residents should feel at home in The Netherlands and that your origin should never determine your future. Despite the stated goal, far from everyone feels at home here. For some, this still holds true after years or even generations. And this certainly has an impact on their future prospects.

According to the SCP, “not only are policies aimed at socioeconomic participation needed, but also policies that include groups and make it clear that they are part of the Dutch society.” In other words, access to work, language and a community is important, but it is not enough to truly root. We have learned a tremendous amount about inclusion through our programming at Rooted. As a former participant with Moroccan roots shared, ‘At first I was walking on eggshells in the Netherlands. Now, after Rooted, I know I have a footprint to leave behind.’ We see that as active citizenship. Participating as your authentic self, with all the countless identities you carry inside you. That is true integration.

At first I was walking on eggshells in the Netherlands. Now, after Rooted, I know I have a footprint to leave behind.

Rooted participant

Our experience shows that the less tangible dimensions of integration, those related to identity, are often forgotten. More time is spend on ‘who you have to become’ rather than on ‘who you truly are’. There is little time, space and attention for finding acceptance in your (new, plural) self. Rooted offers that space. A space where do you not have to prove yourself and assimilate.

We offer a safe place, a community, heightened awareness and concrete tools to be your true, rooted self. Through group weekends and community events, Rooted thus contributes to harnessing the authentic power of people with a migration background, dignified integration and – in the long run – strengthened social cohesion.

“I am home. Where I am, that is home. I grow roots there and feed of all that is beautiful and shield myself from that which does not give me energy. If home is no longer safe, I pack my suitcase again and take the memories with me to the new. I never leave home because it is rooted, it resides within me. “

Leila Prnjavorac, public speaker and presenter, ambassador of Rooted

About founder Noor

Noor sees mobility as an integral part of the human experience. She experiences that the increased mobility that globalization brings about, changes the way in which we understand our sense of belonging. On the one hand the world has become our home, while on the other hand this global accessibility has also outgrown our understanding of home. Noor is curious to explore how we, as individuals and societies, can strengthen our embodied sense of belonging to ourselves, our communities, and nature – regardless of the geographical location. How may we come home and feel rooted again?

At the age of 16, Noor moved by herself to New Mexico where she finished the last two years of her high school at a United World College. After obtaining degrees in political science, history and international development in Germany and Switzerland, Noor moved all over the world to work with communities on matters of migration and displacement. She spoke with hundreds of people on their migration experience, including in Libya, Chad, Iraq, Uganda, Congo, and Palestine. Whether people migrated forced or voluntary, regular or irregular, within or across borders – she found a universality in people’s search to belong. After more than ten years abroad, she lived through her own sense of uprootedness upon return to The Netherlands. Currently, Noor is integrating her lived experience in her work as policy maker, entrepreneur and speaker. 

Through Rooted, Noor intends to create a space where people can consciously and jointly reflect on their sense of rootedness. So that everybody may come home, again. You may get in touch with Noor at noor@wearerooted.org or connect with her on Instagram.

“Rooted is about so much more than one individual rooting in The Netherlands or in themselves. It is about how we as a society deal with migration, which is here to stay. It is about how we as a society choose to be united. How we choose to include people and invest in the authentic strength that every individual carries and use that to grow and flourish as a society.”

Noor Cornelissen, founder of Rooted