What is public narrative?

Public narrative is a leadership practice that enables people to act on shared values and join together in collective action. By telling our story of self, story of us, and story of now, we can articulate the origins of why “I” care (who am I), why “we” care (who are we as a community), and why “now” (urgency), and motivate people to join us. Learn more about public narrative here.

Fatima Oulad Hadj is Provincial Council Member for the Labour Party (PvdA) in North Holland, the Netherlands. She also works as a civil servant in the municipality of Amsterdam. Fatima is committed to social justice, speaking from lived experience and amplifying the voices of people who are often overlooked.

This speech is a powerful example of how personal stories and lived experiences can enrich our public roles—in this case, her work as a politician. Its strength lies in the fact that, while emotional, it tells the story of a strong woman who made bold and difficult choices. It invites the listener to connect with her—not only as a mother and a relatable human being, but also as someone who has actively worked to change reality. She doesn’t present herself as a victim, but as an agent of change who wants to work collectively.