Openingsverklaring

Openingsverklaring is a Dutch term used to describe a formal statement made at the outset of a process, meeting, or document to declare purpose, scope, and guidelines. The word combines openings (opening) and verklaring (declaration or statement).

Usage and contexts: In meetings and assemblies, at the start of a session the chair or leading party may deliver an openingsverklaring to outline the objectives, the agenda, the rules of order, time allocations, and the roles of participants. In legal proceedings, in some traditions, openingsverklaring refers to a party’s opening statement, delivered at the outset of a case to present a concise account of the facts as they see them and to outline the legal theory. This is typically followed by more detailed evidence and argument. In policy or organizational contexts, an openingsverklaring may summarize the goals, scope, and intended impact of a plan, creating a framework for subsequent discussion and decision-making.

Origin and usage: The term is Dutch and most commonly encountered in Dutch-language texts. In English-language contexts, the equivalent concept is “opening statement” or “opening remarks,” and in formal documents one may find a prefatory or introductory section. The openingsverklaring thus functions as a diagnostic and orienting device, signaling what will follow and setting expectations for participants and readers.