Henkjan Laats

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Henkjan is the director of Cross Cultural Bridges, an organization that transfers and exchanges practical and knowledge-based transitions contributing to “Good Living”: biocentric knowledge and practice based on the Andes-Amazon concept of “Sumaq Kausay.”

Professional Background

Henkjan holds a master’s degree in Tropical Cultural Engineering, specializing in philosophy, and a Ph.D. in conflict transformation. With 25 years of experience, he has collaborated with indigenous organizations in Nepal, Ecuador, Costa Rica, Peru, and Bolivia. Henkjan also serves as an expert in holistic science at the UN organization Harmony with Nature, working on issues such as agro-ecology, conflict transformation, the commons, inclusive integration, land and water issues, and crisis management with youth, indigenous peoples, artists, producers, and immigrants.

Personal Motto

I am because We are, as part of Nature.

Geerte Rietveld

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Professional Background

I have a passion for capturing the human experience and love to show how diverse yet incredibly universal it is. I notice the little things that allow photographs and films to tell stories. I have worked for Médecins Sans Frontières and the International Committee of the Red Cross, for whom I created and edited audiovisual content. I believe that visual communications are essential for humanitarian missions since they have the power to set issues straight, raise awareness as well as voices, provide funds and allow war- and disaster-affected populations to take control of their own stories and lives. In June 2021, I graduated from my MA in Cultural Anthropology with a documentary film and photography exhibition focusing on the Transport Nomad. I explored the clash between the nomadic existence of transport workers and the normalisation of a sedentary lifestyle in today’s capitalist societies. Photos as well as a film from that project are available on this website, here. In addition, I hold a MSc in International Humanitarian Action. I love travelling, walking and running. In 2023, I walked the Camino de Compostela to Santiago and learnt to scuba dive.

Personal Motto

“I have never done that before, so I think I should definitely be able to do it.” – Pippi Longstocking

Rosa van Driel

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Professional background

Rosa works as an advocacy officer at CARE Netherlands, focusing on ambitious and fair international climate policies. Before joining CARE, Rosa worked at the Max van der Stoel Foundation, the international think tank of the PvdA (Dutch Labour Party), where she advocated for a coherent Dutch approach to the Sustainable Development Goals. In this capacity, she was also involved in SDG Spotlight Netherlands. Rosa studied political science at Radboud University in Nijmegen and later pursued a master’s degree in Human Rights and international Politics at the University of Glasgow

Aniek Moonen

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Professional Background

Aniek Moonen has been the chairperson of the Young Climate Movement since October 2021. As the chairperson of the Young Climate Movement, Moonen represents over 100,000 Dutch young people in the climate debate.

Personal Motto

“I have never done it before, so I think I can do it.” – Pippi Longstocking

Werner Schouten

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Professional Background

Until October 2021, Werner Schouten served as the chairman of the Youth Climate Movement. In this role, he represented the voices of over 100,000 young people, students, and young professionals in the realm of climate policy within politics and the business sector. Werner sees sustainability as an opportunity to build bridges, transcending social divides and bridging generational gaps, with the aim of collectively working towards a thriving future with harmony between people, the environment, and prosperity. Additionally, as the owner of the startup Carbon Clarity, he assists organizations in making their operations more sustainable.

Personal Motto

“Nothing in life is to be feared, it is only to be understood.”

Marleen Selten

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Professional background

As the daughter of a climate scientist, Marleen Selten learned at a young age about the effects of our contemporary actions on our environment. After winning the Young Entrepreneurs Zuyd Award in 2017 with a healthy fast-food concept, Marleen decided to pursue a master’s degree at the Vrije Universiteit in Amsterdam. During her master’s, she was active in various network organizations, including Female Ventures, an organization that provides a platform for female (social) entrepreneurs. She also conducted research at Philips on making social impact measurable. After completing her master’s, she decided to dedicate her professional career to making businesses more sustainable. This is reflected in her current role at Schiphol, where she works as a link between strategy and operations to implement the airport’s sustainability targets (zero waste by 2030, zero emissions by 2030). In addition to her work at Schiphol, Marleen is actively involved as the chairperson on the board of Young & Fair, an organization that raises awareness about sustainability and fair trade through guest lectures in high schools and annual festivals.

Personal motto

A goal without a plan is only a wish

Willem van Nieuwkerk

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Willem is currently serving as the Executive Director at the Center for International Legal Cooperation (CILC).

Professional Background

For the past 25 years, Willem has been involved in international cooperation projects in the public domain, with the last eight years specifically focused on the rule of law and international legal cooperation. He has extensive experience leading international teams and has lived abroad for twelve years. Willem has worked for the European Commission, and the German and French governments, and has also contributed to local NGOs. In his free time, Willem is the chairman of a large sports association with a significant community role. This allows him to be not only engaged in international work but also deeply connected to the local community. Willem believes in the power of engagement and connection, both internationally and locally.

Personal Motto

Start with individual strengths, but we achieve our goal together

Jack Cox

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Professional Background

Jack is the director/owner of Forza Asset Management, an independent asset management firm with offices in Maastricht, Eindhoven, and Apeldoorn. In 2018, he founded Econsenso with the aim of bringing attention to the financial aspect of sustainability. His book, “Butterfly Economy: From Growth to Development,” was published in 2019, describing the development of an economy that, following the laws of nature, transforms from a caterpillar, always wanting more, into a beautiful butterfly.

Personal Motto

We did not inherit the Earth from our ancestors; we borrow it from our children.

Pieter Lossie

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Professional Background

Pieter is a political science student and works as a policy advisor at the VO-raad, where he is involved in shaping the future of education. Additionally, Pieter was one of the initiators of the large student strikes in 2019 advocating for more decisive climate policies. He served as the chairman of LAKS on behalf of secondary school students in the Netherlands for a year. He is part of Commission 2100, an initiative promoting the transition to broad prosperity. Lastly, Pieter is a social filmmaker.

Personal Motto

We zijn wel afgezonderd maar niet uitgezonderd.

Nicolette Loonen

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Professional background

Nicolette is one of the Founding partners of TOSCA, a consulting partnership that helps companies be a ‘force for good’. TOSCA believes in change agents who shape the transformation towards an inclusive and sustainable society. Nicolette specialises in sustainability reporting issues, taking the whole value chain into account, from strategy to embedding in culture and steering for real value. Nicolette is also a member of the Supervisory Board of ABP, the Rutgers Foundation and IPPF. In addition, she is a college member of the CvTA. Nicolette is the founder of WIFS, Women in Financial Services, and was the president of the association of more than 500 women in the financial sector from 2010 to 2016.

Personal Motto

Ieder steentje in de vijver kan een rimpeling veroorzaken.

Any pebble in the pond can cause a ripple.