Maastricht you are a student city! It seems this has never really been acknowledged. The Gemeente Maastricht hampers attempts to bring dutch and international artists to the city, closes cultural initiatives such as the Muziekgieterij and yet aspires to be European Capital of Culture 2018? Something is going wrong and something needs to be done now! We demand our own space that recognises and protects our conceptions of culture! We demand the recognition and realization of the following things: 1) We demand the recognition and protection of our cultural interests in the city of Maastricht, by the city of Maastricht – its citizens and political representatives. We are citizens of this city. 2) We believe that our cultural contributions to this city are valuable for the citizens of Maastricht and indispensable for becoming European Capital of Culture 2018. 3) We demand a space where we can freely express our cultural interests. This space should be protected through the appropriate and necessary licenses provide by the Gemeente Maastricht and the necessary tolerance from side of the citizens. 4) We believe that our political and social interests can be practically achieved and maintained by means of an International Student Association (ACADEMY FOR DUTCH & INTERNATIONAL CULTURE MAASTRICHT) that is open to everyone regardless of nationality, culture, religion or student-status. As body of international students we demand a building for this International Student Association. 5) This International Student Association is different than the traditional student associations that so far exist in the city of Maastricht. We have as our highest goal to harbour and produce culture that is not only in our interests but further incites the yet lacking dialogue between (international) students and Maastricht’s citizens. Our International Student Association is the institution by which we want to contribute to the cultural landscape of the city of Maastricht and its citizens. 6) We believe that the recognition and protection of our cultural needs is indispensable for a positive demographic development that guarantees the success and future of the city of Maastricht. 7) We demand this now. On Friday June 8th we will come together in the Stadspark to present this petition to the city of Maastricht.