© VRT
Later this year, Tom Waes will venture far from his comfort zone of travel and adventure. In a new program on VRT1, he goes out to talk to first-time voters, young people who will vote for the first time in June, and politicians. The program is part of a campaign by the VRT to keep young voters well informed.
Under the name Kies24, VRT is launching a range of programs, a podcast, a festival and tools to assist young people who can vote for the first time in June in this new adventure. The most striking part is a program with Tom Waes, the title of which will only be announced later. In five episodes, the Kamp Waes presenter visits as many secondary schools. He investigates what concerns young people in 2024. In each of the episodes he also invites three politicians.
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The program is also an exciting, new adventure for Waes. “I still remember how I felt when I was allowed to go to the polls for the first time. It was the middle of the uncertain eighties and as a young guest I had a lot of questions for politics.” Even now, many young people are concerned about the future. And more than half a million of them will be able to vote for the first time in June. “’Will I be able to buy a house?’, ‘How long will I have to work?’, ‘Will war ever break out here?’, ‘Are we doing enough for the climate?’: these are just some of the many questions that young people have,” says Waes. “I would like to work with that feeling.”
Kies24
The program with Waes will be shown on VRT1 in late spring. Furthermore, the public broadcaster is organizing the Electoral Festival on April 26 in collaboration with the Flemish Parliament. First time voters can, among other things, speed date with politicians and practice in a voting booth. Aurélie Boffé invites her to her podcast Do you understand me now? well-known young people who are looking ahead to the elections. On MNM and nws.nws.nws, political face Lonne van Erp will guide young people through the political landscape. VRT is also launching a youth voice test and an EDUbox offer for students in secondary education.
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