bijzaken

Bijzaken is a Dutch term that refers to additional matters that accompany the main topics of a discussion, document, or project. The word combines bij- (“alongside”) with zaak (“matter” or “affair”). In practice, bijzaken are items that are not central to the primary agenda but require attention, discussion, or follow-up if time allows, such as administrative tasks, minor corrections, or newly raised issues.

In formal settings like municipal or corporate meetings, bijzaken appears on the agenda as a separate section for miscellaneous or supplementary items. These items are usually discussed only if time permits, or they may be deferred to a later meeting; decisions on bijzaken can be provisional or subject to further investigation. The main matters, or hoofdzaken, receive the primary focus and are addressed first.

In documentation, a minutes section labeled Bijzaken records the items, who raised them, and any decisions or actions taken or deferred. The concept also appears in legal and administrative texts to distinguish secondary issues from core subjects.

Outside formal procedure, some journalists and writers use bijzaken to refer to side notes or ancillary topics connected to a larger story, though this usage is less standardized.

Related terms include bijlage (appendix) and addendum, which are supplements rather than agenda items. The term is common in the Netherlands and Flanders, and its exact use can vary by organization or context.