23 September 2026

Elect your student representatives!

Dear BSc Political Science students,

This is your opportunity to vote for your representatives on the Bachelor Programme Committee!

6 candidates have nominated themselves: 3 from BSc Politicologie: Nationale en Internationale Politiek (NIP), and 3 from BSc Political Science: International Relations and Organisations (IRO)! The committee has 4 student seats, and to ensure fair representation, we aim to include at least one student from each of the four specialisations. Because there are no applicants from the POL and IP specialisations, this means we will work with the following preferential voting:

• The first two seats will be filled by the representatives from the IRO and NIP specialisations who received the most votes among the candidates from their respective specialisations.
• The third and fourth seats will then go to the next candidates with the most votes from the overall pool.

Below you can read about the 6 candidates for the Programme Committee. Take your time to read their statements!

To cast your vote, please click universiteitleiden.nl/stemmen, log in, and follow the instructions. Voting is open from the 30th of September until 23:59 on Friday, 2nd of October.

It is not mandatory to vote for someone from your own specialisation.

If you have any questions or run into problems, don’t hesitate to contact me.

Thank you for participating, your vote ensures that the student voice is heard in shaping our education!

Warm regards,

Edi de Vries, Student Member of the Programme Board

Valeria Catrillo Fajardo, IRO

“Many students choose Political Science because they want to understand the world, contribute to changes and build better societies. I believe those same values should start within our own university community. Creating a better learning environment, where students feel heard, supported, and represented, is also a way of making a meaningful difference. I value dialogue, collaboration, and finding practical solutions.

I am Valeria Castrillo, a Spanish student in my first year of IRO. Coming to Leiden University has been my dream for a long time. I worked hard to make that dream a reality and I want to help make this experience as meaningful for others as it is for me. As a member of the PC, I would like to be a change agent, helping to build a stronger connection between students and the Programme Board. By listening to students' ideas, experiences, and concerns, and by working constructively, I can help drive meaningful changes.

People from diverse perspectives are one of our greatest strengths and I would be proud to represent our community in an open, collaborative and responsible way. I want to make our time at Leiden University an incredible, inspiring, and unforgettable chapter in every student's life.

Antonina Basarab, IRO

“Dear Bachelor Political Science Students of Leiden University,

My name is Antonina Basarab and I am honoured to be running for the Programme Committee. I'm a second-year IRO student, originally from Poland, who understands the struggles of both Dutch and international students. As Commissioner Education and Politics of SPIL (Study Association for Political Science at Leiden University), I interact with students from NIP, IP, and IRO on a daily basis, listen to their experiences and concerns about their studies. Whether in the common rooms, various events, lectures or The Hague and Leiden corridors, I am available to all Political Science students.

What is most important to me is that you have a voice that represents you, hears your concerns and directly brings them to the university staff in order to contribute to real change. Think of smoother and less stressful examination processes, better content and organisation of your lectures and teaching materials, or communication with lecturers and instructors within IRO and all other programmes.

I am here for you and would be honoured to represent you this year in the OLC!”

Giona Destefani, IRO

“I am a first-year student, but I already want to take an active part in the shaping of the future of our university. I have been in the organising committee for a youth parliament in my home country, Switzerland, for more than four years, so I believe I have the right experience to listen to my fellow students and present their need and concerns to the Programme Committee.

Moreover, I am used to dealing that with political authorities, as well as academic authorities both in my role in the youth parliament and in my High School students committee, where I was a member for the whole duration of my studies. I also have experience in debating, so I can be very convincing with my propositions.”

Sven Jonkers, NIP

“Hey everyone, I'm Sven, a first year at the university and I do the NIP-course. Before I went to Leiden I was living in the northern parts of the Netherlands (Drenthe) and I was working in a Zoo. Now I moved into my own place here and I’m having like many others the struggle to move from a far place to a new one like Leiden/The Hague or any other place further away, I want to help everyone to make this study experience the best one possible. People need to travel sometimes 1-2 (or more) hours to reach their destination of the university, some people need to wake up at 5:00 or even earlier, It is an unfair thing and also harms their capability to perform at their best, that is why I want to propose that tests begin at at least 9:00 AM. Besides that I want to make sure that the quality of the program is as high as possible for the student, with also the highest form of (online) accessibility for the student. I would be honoured to represent you in the Programme Committee and work hard to make your voice heard!”

Elise Mintjens, NIP

“Hi! I’m Elise, and I’m a first-year student of National and International Politics. I would love the opportunity to represent the students on the programme committee. Since a new version of the programme was introduced for my year group, I believe I can offer a valuable, fresh perspective based on that experience. I want to make sure that students' experiences are taken into account and turned into real change where needed.

During my final years of high school, I served on the participation council, representing students in discussions with school leadership, teachers, and parents. That’s where I learned to challenge ideas, stand up for student's interests.

I think students should have influence on how their education is shaped. Whether it's course organisation, workload, or the overall student experience. I see this as a fun and educational opportunity to contribute to the programme and help improving it. I'd love the opportunity to represent you and would really appreciate your support!”

Hannah Bliemert, NIP

“Do you ever feel as if university programmes are (strangely enough) often designend without really taking the students into consideration? Shouldn't students be the centre of the educational program? Your experience as a student is incredibly important, which is why I want to hear about the things you run into. That way we can improve the issues within our programme. At the moment, for example, there is paid little attention to how much material can reasonably be packed into a course or where you can find the material if you miss a lecture. I want to make sure that this program is really our program! I need your help to make this reality! Vote for Hannah Bliemert for member of the programme committee!”