Date: Tuesday December 19th, 12.00-14.00h (including warm buffet lunch at 13.30h)
Location: SustainaLab, Matrix ONE, Amsterdam Science Park 301
The VPRO Tegenlicht edition of December 2023 – ‘Expedition Better Netherlands’
About the Tegenlicht broadcast
VPRO Tegenlicht goes beyond borders, seeking inspiring examples that show us how we can improve the Netherlands in 2024. There are certain challenges where we in the Netherlands are stuck, and these are being successfully addressed in other countries. While we may get bogged down in endless political complexities and entrenched ideas, other countries are making bold decisions with spectacular results. What can we learn from these initiatives, and how can they be applied in the Netherlands? The episode highlights three different examples from around the world where things are going much better than in the Netherlands. Austria with social housing and affordable living, they are leading the way. Director Arnout Arens travels to the capital, Vienna, where a staggering 60% of the population lives in social housing. Iceland has consistently topped international lists for gender equality for many years. Director Esmée van Loon visits the island during a historic ‘kvennafrí’ (women’s strike). In Nigeria, director Clarice Gargard introduces us to Makoko, a floating slum on the outskirts of the capital Lagos. Architect Kunlé Adeyemi sees something remarkable in this neighbourhood. The residents live on and around the water: they fish, go to school, and do their groceries on the water. But above all, their spiritual connection with the water is remarkable; they consider it a part of themselves. This approach sharply contrasts with Dutch water management. With the ‘Water Cities’ project, Adeyemi focuses on designing and building affordable, sustainable, and locally constructed floating architecture. In this VPRO Tegenlicht meet-up we will be talking about particularly in the context of living on and around water, such as in Nigeria (Makoko). What are the benefits, challenges but also opportunities for the Netherlands? Should we all live on the water or not?
Abstract
The future affairs platform VPRO Tegenlicht highlights that the Netherlands likes to see itself as progressive. However, where we once led in water management, housing, and emancipation, we are now slipping in the rankings. In which countries are they actually doing it better than we right now? VPRO Tegenlicht seeks examples abroad and illustrates, through three powerful ideas, how things can be done differently. What can we learn from projects and people in different locations around the globe?
During the Meet Up we will watch short clips of the documentary ‘Expedition Better Netherlands’ and discuss the topics above with the line-up of very interesting experts:
- Harm van der Geest, Assistant Professor of Benthic Ecology at UvA will talk about the environmental consequences of projects like this.
- Piebe Hoeksma, Policy advisor International affairs at the Dutch water authorities.
There will be plenty of room for sharing your questions and insights.
So join us on Tuesday December, 19, 1200-1400 (including buffet lunch at 1330)
SustainaLab, Matrix ONE, Amsterdam Science Park 301
Programme information meet up
Overview
12:00 – 12:15 Welcome and Introduction with speakers and SustainaLab
12:15 – 12:35 Unie van Waterschappen, Piebe Hoeksma
12:35 – 12:55 UvA, Harm van der Geest
13:00 – 13:20 Discussion and Questions
Register via jelle@sustainalab.nl