Kaders

Kaders is a term used in Dutch, Indonesian, and related languages to denote a core group of personnel who form the leadership or essential staff of an organization. The singular is kader; in English, the related word is cadre. The etymology traces to the French cadre, meaning frame or framework, a sense that has broadened to refer to a loyal, trained group that runs an organization.

In political contexts, a cadre or kader refers to members who are selected, trained, and organized to implement party strategies, recruit supporters, and fill leadership and administrative roles. Cadre-based organizations emphasize ideological commitment and disciplined structure, sometimes prioritizing loyalty and continuity over broad mass membership.

In Indonesia and Malaysia, the term is widely used to describe party workers and activists. Cadre development, or kaderisasi, is the process of training and preparing individuals for governance and party positions, often through schooling, mentoring, and staged placement within the organization.

In Dutch usage, kaders can refer to the staff or roster of personnel assigned to a project, institution, or team. In sports, the term is commonly used to denote the squad or roster of players. In military or security contexts, a cadre is a trained core group responsible for training others and maintaining organizational stability.

Overall, kaders occupy a central, often privileged position within an organization, balancing leadership potential with loyalty and professional effectiveness.