On February 20th, together with our friends Barış, Ugne and Ulja who came from Rotterdam and Den Haag, we held a Visual Assembly in Amsterdam, hosted and supported by OBA (Public Libraries of Amsterdam).
We were a group of strangers of different ages, cultural, and social backgrounds. This made it even more exciting and intriguing to gather around a table and imagine building a city together. We had equal rights and no obstacles—everything was up to us. How would our city of the future look?
We thought about:
- Building our own home: Some participants drew entire villages, others designed shared houses for themselves and their friends. A few even created real fortresses with underground castles and complex defense systems to protect against “enemies.”
- Food production and distribution: Opinions clashed on what kind of food should be produced and how. Should we raise animals for meat? Who would be responsible for this? In the end, everyone agreed on a fantastic factory that produces an endless supply of super-nutritious apples.
- Public spaces: This was where the kids truly shined. They excitedly agreed on designing endless parks—dog parks, cat parks, bicycle and skate parks—bringing to life a city filled with playful and inclusive spaces.
- “Outsiders”: Borders became another point of tension. Children debated whether “outsiders” should be allowed in, questioning who decides who belongs and who doesn’t. Would newcomers need permission to stay? Where would they live, and who would build their houses?
One of the most heartwarming moments was when we discussed schools. When asked what schools should look like, the kids immediately agreed they should be “like a library.” They focused on what schools shouldn’t have: no homework, no pressure, and no grades. The Schools-Libraries they envisioned would be filled with animals, games, and endless fun.
Of course, many decisions were left unresolved. We documented all the ideas and unanswered questions on separate sheets, waiting for the next Assembly where new participants can continue shaping our dream city.
Some of the questions that remain:
- How should we handle poverty?
- Who should pay for essentials like food? One girl suggested that costs could be shared, but most kids disagreed with this idea.
We want to give a huge thanks to our wonderful Dutch-speaking friends—this Assembly wouldn’t have been possible without you! And special thanks to OBA Oosterdok for hosting us in their fantastic space.
The Assembly ended with more questions than answers, but that’s the point. All ideas and unresolved debates were saved for the next gathering, where new participants will continue shaping their shared city and confronting the big questions of living together.
Interested in hosting a Visual Assembly? Reach out to info@a4kids.org.
