Guusje ter Horst
Encyclopedia
Guus ter Horst, aka Guus ter Dorst (born March 22, 1952 in Deventer
) is a Dutch
politician
of the Dutch Labour Party (PvdA). Since June 7, 2011 she has been a member of the Senate. From February 22, 2007 till February 23, 2010 she was Minister of the Interior and Kingdom Relations in the Cabinet Balkenende IV. She was Mayor
of Nijmegen from April 15, 2001 until January 1, 2007.
in The Hague
and subsequently studied at University of Amsterdam where she obtained a MSc
degree in psychology
. In 1984 she received a PhD
degree in social science on her thesis concerning the question how people who never go to the dentist can be made to do so. Between 1986 and 1994 she was associate professor of Social Dentistry at the subfaculty of Dentistry
of the University of Amsterdam.
In 1984 Ter Horst joined the Dutch Labour Party (PvdA). In 1986 she was elected into the Amsterdam
city council
. In 1994 she became alderwoman, responsible for spatial planning, she initiated a major renovation of the city of Amsterdam.
In 2001 she became mayor of Nijmegen. During her six-year term, she moved to a new house every year, to get to know the city. In August 2006 Ter Horst was fined for drunk driving, strangely, without political consequence. On 1 January 2007 her term as mayor ended and she did not pursue a second one. She was succeeded by Thom de Graaf
.
In 2010 Ter Horst received one of the Dutch Big Brother Awards
for her lack of nuance in the privacy debate. Her project of a centrally organised fingerprint database for passports won an award as well.
She resigned, together with all PvdA ministers, in the morning of February 20, 2010. The Queen accepted the resignation on February 23, 2010.
Deventer
Deventer is a municipality and city in the Salland region of the Dutch province of Overijssel. Deventer is largely situated on the east bank of the river IJssel, but also has a small part of its territory on the west bank. In 2005 the municipality of Bathmen Deventer is a municipality and city in...
) is a Dutch
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
of the Dutch Labour Party (PvdA). Since June 7, 2011 she has been a member of the Senate. From February 22, 2007 till February 23, 2010 she was Minister of the Interior and Kingdom Relations in the Cabinet Balkenende IV. She was Mayor
Mayor
In many countries, a Mayor is the highest ranking officer in the municipal government of a town or a large urban city....
of Nijmegen from April 15, 2001 until January 1, 2007.
Biography
Ter Horst attended schoolGymnasium (school)
A gymnasium is a type of school providing secondary education in some parts of Europe, comparable to English grammar schools or sixth form colleges and U.S. college preparatory high schools. The word γυμνάσιον was used in Ancient Greece, meaning a locality for both physical and intellectual...
in The Hague
The Hague
The Hague is the capital city of the province of South Holland in the Netherlands. With a population of 500,000 inhabitants , it is the third largest city of the Netherlands, after Amsterdam and Rotterdam...
and subsequently studied at University of Amsterdam where she obtained a MSc
Master of Science
A Master of Science is a postgraduate academic master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The degree is typically studied for in the sciences including the social sciences.-Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay:...
degree in psychology
Psychology
Psychology is the study of the mind and behavior. Its immediate goal is to understand individuals and groups by both establishing general principles and researching specific cases. For many, the ultimate goal of psychology is to benefit society...
. In 1984 she received a PhD
Doctor of Philosophy
Doctor of Philosophy, abbreviated as Ph.D., PhD, D.Phil., or DPhil , in English-speaking countries, is a postgraduate academic degree awarded by universities...
degree in social science on her thesis concerning the question how people who never go to the dentist can be made to do so. Between 1986 and 1994 she was associate professor of Social Dentistry at the subfaculty of Dentistry
Dentistry
Dentistry is the branch of medicine that is involved in the study, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases, disorders and conditions of the oral cavity, maxillofacial area and the adjacent and associated structures and their impact on the human body. Dentistry is widely considered...
of the University of Amsterdam.
In 1984 Ter Horst joined the Dutch Labour Party (PvdA). In 1986 she was elected into the Amsterdam
Amsterdam (municipality)
The Government of Amsterdam is the government of the municipality and city of Amsterdam in the Netherlands. Most of the inhabitants live in the city of Amsterdam, but the municipality also covers a number of small villages, and other parts of the local government, such as the Waterschap or the...
city council
City council
A city council or town council is the legislative body that governs a city, town, municipality or local government area.-Australia & NZ:Because of the differences in legislation between the States, the exact definition of a City Council varies...
. In 1994 she became alderwoman, responsible for spatial planning, she initiated a major renovation of the city of Amsterdam.
In 2001 she became mayor of Nijmegen. During her six-year term, she moved to a new house every year, to get to know the city. In August 2006 Ter Horst was fined for drunk driving, strangely, without political consequence. On 1 January 2007 her term as mayor ended and she did not pursue a second one. She was succeeded by Thom de Graaf
Thom de Graaf
Thomas Carolus de Graaf is a Dutch jurist and politician. He is a member of social liberal party Democrats 66 . Since January 2007 he has been mayor of the city of Nijmegen and since 7 June 2011 also a member of the Senate...
.
In 2010 Ter Horst received one of the Dutch Big Brother Awards
Big Brother Awards
The Big Brother Awards recognize "the government and private sector organizations ... which have done the most to threaten personal privacy".They are named after the George Orwell character Big Brother from the novel Nineteen Eighty-Four.-Countries:...
for her lack of nuance in the privacy debate. Her project of a centrally organised fingerprint database for passports won an award as well.
She resigned, together with all PvdA ministers, in the morning of February 20, 2010. The Queen accepted the resignation on February 23, 2010.