New Healthy Region theme vibrantly launched

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Corporates, healthcare and knowledge institutions, governments and civil society organisations were well represented. A mixed group of over 50 interested partners gathered last week at Wicked Grounds in Amsterdam-West. The goal of the kick-off: taking steps towards concrete topics or projects that contribute to a healthy region.

Because: health is the engine for economy and well-being in the Amsterdam metropolis.

Board members Hans van Goudoever and Robert Metzke bring partners up-to-date on the Amsterdam Economic Board’s new approach. The organisation went through a major change of course at the end of last year. Among other things, this resulted in a focus on three new themes. In public-private partnerships, the Amsterdam Economic Board, together with its partners, wants to work on sustainable earning capacity and inclusive prosperity in the region.

Focus on concrete projects

The Healthy Region theme stimulates the Life Sciences & Health and Biotech sector within the Amsterdam Metropolitan Area. Board members Amsterdam UMC, Philips and ROM InWest are taking the lead in bringing partners together in this effort.

Within this field there are many challenges imaginable to tackle. The criteria in our assessment framework (pdf in Dutch) provide focus on topics in which the Amsterdam Economic Board and its partners can make the right impact.

The long-term goal is to work on reducing health disparities in the region.

Swipe through the selection. Or view the complete photo coverage of the kick-off.

Inspiring pitches

The question here is: how do we flesh out this new theme? Which topics should be addressed first? What are concrete challenges for the region and how can they be tackled in a collaboration between companies, governments and knowledge and care institutions? And who wants to join what topic?

Partners presented six possible topics in short, inspiring pitches:

Favorite topics

After the presentations, attendees chose the topic that they deemed most urgent to jointly tackle in a regional helix collaboration. And to which they expect to be able to contribute in a follow-up. In working groups they explored the possibilities for cooperation and projects in greater depth. The participants presented the results in plenary, so that other attendees would also join ‘their’ topic. All willing participants could sign up for the subsequent steps.

Next up: getting started

All the topics appeared to have the warm interest of many participants. A range of ideas and proposals emerges. All themes are relevant, Hans van Goudoever and Robert Metzke emphasised. These are ‘wicked issues’: complex problems that require the cooperation of various parties from the helix, above and beyond their own organisational interests. But also: ‘We have to choose. We can’t take on everything at once.’

In the coming weeks, choices will be made from the wide range of topics. In follow-up sessions, partners will explore the chosen topics more in-depth, define concrete projects, form coalitions and get to work.

Would you like to participate?

Did you not attend the kick-off? And would you be interested in joining us? Please contact Gerty Holla or Jet van Eeghen as soon as possible.

Photography: Terence Loos