Priorities benchmarked against inclusive prosperity

The Network Council consists of leading decision makers within companies, academia, governments and civil society organisations in the Amsterdam region. All feel the need nowadays to consider long-term effects thier organisations have on people and the environment. Focusing on inclusive prosperity. But how do you tackle that?

Finding and retaining talent, embedding diversity and inclusion in the organisation, solving the housing shortage and addressing the overburdened power grid – these topics are top priority to the attending Network Council members. What would happen when we looked at these priorities from a completely different perspective? And approach them from the Look differently, act differently principles?

“When we knock down the barriers between governments, entrepreneurs, social partners and academia, a better balance is created between growth and liveability.”

Lex de Boer of Pantar emphasises the importance of work. Especially for the more vulnerable group of people. There are so many opportunities for them too, but it requires a different outlook on work. Look at the work process as a whole: can you make it more efficient by breaking up certain work tasks? By looking at work processes differently and changing approaches, individuals can excel.

And there are so many more great regional examples of how to Look differently, act differently. A polluted and dangerous street like Amsterdam’s Stadhouderskade has the ambition to become a Green Mile. Thanks to COOP Central, more residents in the region have access to affordable and sustainable electricity.

Let’s get started

The principles of Look differently, act differently offer insight into the long-term effects of decisions we make today on the well-begin of people and environment.

Principles of Look differently, act differently (click to enlarge)

Coached by discussion leaders, participants tackled different principles with each other.

Such as access to livelihood security: how do we ensure that everyone has access to housing, healthcare and education. Or access to exchanging: how do we provide the opportunity for new ways of collaborating, exchanging and learning from each other?

The exchange of knowledge and experiences was the focus of this session. That in itself already offered many new insights and small steps were taken. Some of the responses:

“It’s time to change the current models.” And, “Trust is important and is often a missing factor now.”

The participants also recognised that they are often part of the problem by perpetuating systems. So they can also be part of the solution. It helps to stay in touch with those who experience hindrances. If relevant parties do not have access to decisionmaking, that is a huge innovation stopper.

Participants found the method with the principles a good way to start the conversation and wanted to apply it to their own organisations and networks.

Click on the photos to enlarge. Or read on.

Join us and Look differently, act differently?

In the coming months, the Amsterdam Economic Board will actively be working on Look differently, act differently. We will apply this to several issues we are working on:

The first workshop on Prevention & Health was entirely devoted to Look differently, act differently.

In November, directors and administrators from the region will discuss Doing good pays off. Together they will create framework conditions so ‘doing good’ in business will pay off economically and socially. This can be achieved by building bridges together. The government can play a key role in this. Would you also like to join? Let us know.