26 March 2025

Deborah Lauria: ‘Gelijke kansen gaan iederéén aan!’

Deborah Lauria new member of the Supervisory Board 

Deborah Lauria is the director of Ieder(in), a national organization that represents the interests of people with physical disabilities, intellectual disabilities, or chronic illnesses and their families. This year, she also became a member of the Supervisory Board of the Youth Fund for Sports and Culture. Sports and culture have shaped her: they were fundamental factors in her development. She wants every child to have this opportunity.  

"That people can't participate in sports and culture because they can't afford it, in a wealthy country like the Netherlands, I find it scandalous and unacceptable," says Lauria. In her ideal world, the Youth Fund wouldn't exist at all. But now that it does and is so necessary, she's happy to contribute.  

Lucky bastard

Lauria grew up in a village just outside Rome. Her parents took her to the theater, museums, and on vacation. "I realize I've been incredibly lucky in life. Participating in sports and culture, studying, discovering other cultures: it was a given. At the same time, they were essential parts of my development; they shaped and enriched me enormously. But unfortunately, for many people, it's not at all a given."

She's incredibly motivated to change global inequality. It's no coincidence that she worked for Plan Nederland, VluchtelingenWerk (Refugee Council), Client Interests, and is currently the director of Ieder(in). It all began when, during her International Relations studies in Rome, she took elective courses taught by NGOs. "Those classes covered all sorts of topics, from refugee work to children's rights. They taught me how the world really was, how the people in this world were doing. Standing up for their rights, reducing the existing gaps—that's what I wanted to do."

Culture shapes character

Experiencing and experiencing culture—you don't have to actively engage with it to be touched by it—has made Lauria a more complete person. She's convinced that through cultural experiences, you learn to recognize and express your emotions, experience joy, and feel supported in difficult times. "Moreover, actively participating in culture and sports contributes to your social skills. You learn the importance of being on time, of going even when it's raining, playing in a team, a bit of discipline, and working together: it builds character!"

Her own children were allowed to try anything, as long as they finished the year. Hockey, gymnastics, soccer, drumming, singing: it all came up. "One is now pursuing a professional career in music and composes her own music. The other sings beautifully and enjoys dancing, but as a hobby. They're completely different, but for both, sports and culture are an important part of their development. Just like for me. I want that for all children – even if the financial situation at home doesn't allow it, sports and culture should be accessible."

Promoting equal opportunities

The Netherlands has so much money, opportunities, and sports facilities… The fact that people can't share in these opportunities is a real problem for society as a whole! If equal opportunities don't exist, it's bad for everyone, not just the people directly affected. Poverty and inequality ultimately mean higher costs for everyone—in healthcare, benefits, and so on. Moreover, a society in which a widening divide is developing is a dislocated and dissatisfied society, one that functions far from optimally.  

Through the Supervisory Board of the Youth Sports & Culture Fund, she hopes to contribute to simply reaching even more children. "We currently reach about half of the children who could use our help. I want to be able to reach everyone who needs it. We'll always have to navigate the political winds that are blowing: we, the Supervisory Board, are vigilant about that. But one way or another, we'll ensure that our reach is maintained at least at the same level."  

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