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Since 2008
We did not start in 2024. We have been meeting along the Scheldt since 2008, and since 2012 we have been observers at the International Scheldt Commission, where France, Belgium and the Netherlands work together on the river. A real seat at the table, not a visit.
The river on this page is the real Scheldt, straightened out: from its source at Gouy to the sea at Vlissingen. Meet the Scheldt
- 2006 to 2009
From source to sea
Around the time we started, the first gatherings followed the Scheldt itself. About 80 of us met at its source in northern France in 2006, then each year further downstream: Wez-Velvain on the French–Belgian border, Kieldrecht on the Belgian–Dutch border and, in March 2009, Vlissingen at the mouth. We agreed to travel to Wez-Velvain without a car: by bike, train or bus, on foot, even on a skateboard. - October 2008
Our first plenary, Antwerp (Belgium)
Young people from the three countries adopted a charter and an action plan. GoodPlanet and the Agence de l'Eau Artois-Picardie had started the youth parliament together. - 2009We walked across the Bay of the Somme, where silting threatens the ecosystem, and visited the Parc du Marquenterre. Five members went to the World Water Forum in Istanbul, with seven recommendations agreed in the Belgian Senate.
- From 2009Schools across the basin measured the same two things in their local water, the biotic index and nitrate, and put the results on one shared map. In 2014 we took that map to policymakers.
- November 20102,000 children and teenagers from Brussels schools and five other countries sent out their water messages. Our plenary took place at the same event, so the messages reached the policymakers there too.
- 2012GoodPlanet, the Agence de l'Eau Artois-Picardie and the International Secretariat for Water organised it at the World Water Forum. Bart Devos, one of ours, was elected its chair.
- December 2012
A seat at the International Scheldt Commission
Relaunched that spring, the youth parliament took its seat as an observer at the commission's plenary in Ostend. - 2013A delegation at the European Youth Parliament for Water by Lake Sevan in May, and a speech to the environment committee of the Flemish Parliament in November.
- 2013 to 2015Each summer a trip to another river: the Drava in Hungary, the Hornád in Slovakia and the Sebou in Morocco.
- April 2014A plenary adopted five messages about water.
- March 2015Nearly a hundred young people from the three countries met in the Senate in Brussels.
- Autumn 2016Three members brought recommendations to the summit. There, the youth assembly of the Sebou was officially founded, and we signed an agreement with it. The Agence de l'Eau signed one with the Sebou's water agency.
- October 201825 young people explored the storm surge barrier and Waterdunen and held a plenary at the provincial government building in Middelburg.
- April 201927 young people cleaned up the Deûle by canoe, visited the source of the Scheldt and held a plenary at Lille city hall.
- November 2019Six of our members took part, and one was elected vice-president.
- May 2020In an online vote, the members chose the drop that is still our logo.
- April 2022Nine young people sailed to Antwerp. It was the start of “Can you hear our rivers?”, an exchange with the Sava Youth Parliament from the Balkans.
- September 2022 and April 2023Two exchanges: first in Ghent, then in Zagreb (Croatia).
- September 2023Seven members attended a conference at HZ University of Applied Sciences on 28 September.
- October 2023The Agence de l'Eau Artois-Picardie celebrated its own youth water parliament at centre Gaïa on 11 October. Two of our members presented their projects.
- January 2024
Exchange at HZ, Middelburg (the Netherlands)
Workshops on the rights of the Scheldt at HZ University of Applied Sciences and a beach clean-up in Vlissingen, on 25 and 26 January. - June 2024
Plenary of the International Scheldt Commission, Valenciennes (France)
At the commission's 32nd plenary, on 26 June, GoodPlanet and one of our members presented the exchange with the Sava Youth Parliament and the results of a youth survey. - April 2025
Scheldt walk, Denain to Valenciennes (France)
Eight participants walked the French Scheldt for two days, past locks and river restoration sites.Read about Denain to Valenciennes, France - May 2025
Scheldt walk, Oudenaarde to Zingem (Belgium)
Three participants walked along the Maarkebeek and the Zwalm with local guides, mayors and the secretary general of the International Scheldt Commission.Read about Oudenaarde to Zingem, Belgium - May 2025 to March 2026
Research projects
Participants ran their own small research projects, on ten themes from water quality to the circular economy.40 young people, 9 nationalities - October 2025
Exchange in Zeeland (the Netherlands)
Thirteen participants spent three days playing water games, talking about Rights for the Scheldt and kayaking on the Veerse Meer.Read about Zeeland, the Netherlands - May 2026
Exchange in Ghent (Belgium)
Fourteen participants worked on floods and climate adaptation, then wrote recommendations and a letter to policymakers.Read about Ghent, Belgium - June 2026
Plenary assembly of the International Scheldt Commission, Tournai (Belgium)
Our recommendations reached the commission, and Mathieu, one of our participants, spoke for young people throughout the session.Read about Tournai, Belgium - Today
- Early 2027
Your turn next
A new group starts at the beginning of 2027, with an online information session first.Join the next group
Many small flows create a big stream.
Ce sont les petits ruisseaux qui font les grandes rivières.
Vele kleine beekjes vormen een grote stroom.