ACCESS magazine – Spring-Summer 2022 – Sustainability and Science by ACCESS Netherlands

ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS ABOUT MOVING TO AND LIVING IN THE NETHERLANDS

Science helping us be sustainable 2022 Spring-Summer

ROT T E R D AM IN T E R N ATIO NA L S E C ON D ARY S C HOOL

RISS Rose Programme RISS is thrilled to announce an exciting new programme where students will learn vital life skills through hands-on activities. Check out the special page on our website!

Life Through a Lens

You’re Not Thinking, You’re Just Being Logical

Mr. Murphy’s Kitchen

The City of the Future, Now

Letter from the Editor

Dear ACCESS readers Climate change is the largest existential issue facing humanity, and every year we see more of its effects. In a recent issue of this magazine, we looked at how the Netherlands is no stranger to living alongside nature. In many ways this country grew into the place we know now from earlier humans interacting with and responding to their environment. In recent years the Dutch have embraced alternative energy sources and different aspects of sustainability.

Steve Voyce ACCESS Editor editor@access-nl.org

In this issue we look at how science and technology, particularly in the Netherlands, are helping humanity become climate-proof and sustainable. As Jacqueline Pemberton’s cover story says, “science is critical to tackling the challenges”, and many solutions can deliver economic benefits while improving our lives and protecting the environment. Sandra Silva writes about how the Netherlands is leading the way to a healthy and regenerative world food system. According to some sources we will need to feed ten billion people worldwide by 2050. The Netherlands is at the forefront of developing innovative uses of technology to help determine how we will eat in the future. Also in this issue is Amsterdam’s search for the sustainability sweet spot–the municipality is embracing Doughnut Economy thinking. We also see how international schools are implementing the STEAM approach to education. It’s a philosophy that prepares students realistically for the future by teaching them how to apply knowledge, research and skills to solve problems–with a scientific and creative basis. If you’re looking for things to do outdoors now that the days are getting longer and warmer, 2022 sees the return of the Floriade, the international horticulture exhibition taking place in the Netherlands once a decade. Tracey Taylor says it “bursts into a colourful celebration of green solutions.” Or what better way to experience the Netherlands than visiting windmills? Especially as 2022 is the Year of the Miller, and the second weekend in May is National Mill Day. In our Travel section, Lynette and Richard Croxford look at some beautiful examples. Definitely worth a visit.

The Netherlands is helping humanity become sustainable

ACCESS | SPRING-SUMMER 2022 | 3

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Magazine

Publisher Stichting ACCESS Editorial content editor@access-nl.org Advertising 070 345 17 00 fnd@access-nl.org Editor Steve Voyce Assistant Editor Nancy Kroonenberg Design & Layout M-space - graphic designers Printer Printall AS, Tallin Cover image This Is Engineering

Contents images (clockwise) Floriade, Richard Croxford, Taz, Nastya Dulhiier, This Is Engineering,

This issue of ACCESS magazine would not have been made possible without the kind and generous help of Olivia van den Broek, Lynette & Richard Croxford, Elizabeth Hewitt, Jacqueline Pemberton, Giulia Quaresima, Soul Robertson, Sandra Silva, Lynne Stewart, Tracey Taylor, Deborah Valentine. And special thanks to Nancy Kroonenberg for her sanity, clarity and friendship.

Spring-Summer 2022 Vol. 35 No. 1 Circulation: 7,000 Also available online at: magazine.access-nl.org

Contents

6 ACCESS Stories

8 Cover Story Sink or swim 15 Travel Round and around 18 Arts & Entertainment From small seeds… 22 International Community Internationals making a difference in the world 26 Schools 28 Food and wellbeing Innovate our way out 35 Dutch Lifestyle Amsterdam’s

doughnut 40 Review Place 43 Education STEAMing

Copyright ACCESS 2022 All rights reserved. No part of the ACCESS Magazine may be used in any form without explicit permission in writing from the Publisher. Every effort has been made to ensure that the information in this publication was correct at the time of going to press. However, ACCESS and its writers cannot accept any responsibility for the accuracy of the information included.

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ACCESS Stories

ANNETTE & DARIO

So, my boss just asked me if Iʼd like to move to the Netherlands...

AN ACCESS STORY

Wow, fantastic news! But Iʼm not sure what itʼs like to live there...

I heard about these guys over there at ACCESS...

...they have plenty of experience of moving to and living in the Netherlands.

access-nl.org I checked out the ACCESS website and itʼs full of information and loads of answers to all my questions!

Youʼre feeling more confident about moving there? Amazing! I canʼt wait!

6 | ACCESS | SPRING-SUMMER 2022

IN THE NETHERLANDS, SIX MONTHS LATER... Perhaps you should ask your friends at ACCESS for some advice?

Iʼm really glad we moved here. Itʼs so nice. But now youʼre settled, I think I should look for a job

So, I gave ACCESS a call...

And...? Or the trainers can even help with my CV or LinkedIn page...

They have wonderful volunteers who can help with finding a job or changing your career

Thanks ACCESS!

Do you think they have any information about what itʼs like to have a baby in the Netherlands? access-nl.org/childbirth-courses ACCESS | SPRING-SUMMER 2022 | 7

Cover story

Sink or swim

How science is helping the Netherlands become more sustainable PHOTO: WILLIAM VEERBEEK

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Climate change is arguably the most serious

What’s at stake?

Given the country’s geographical location and vulnerability to the elements (and as one of the world’s most densely populated countries), the Netherlands is more aware than most of the importance of preserving and protecting its natural resources and environment. Yet while the Dutch may be at the forefront of sustainability worldwide, they still have much cleaning up to do in their own backyard. As the Netherlands’ Minister for Climate and Energy Rob Jetten says, “The time for procrastination on climate change is over.”

challenge we face in the twenty-first century. Experts warn that if we do not act now, changes to the weather are likely to become more extreme. Given this bleak forecast, how will a small, flat, flood-prone country like the Netherlands fare, and what steps are the Dutch taking to become more climate-proof and sustainable, before it’s too late?

The clock is ticking

This pressing question will remain central in the Dutch national agenda for the future. And science is increasingly helping to provide an answer. According to UNESCO, “Science is critical to tackling the challenges of humanity, such as climate change, biodiversity loss, pollution, and poverty, as it lays the foundation for new solutions.” Which has led to a ‘new approach,’ namely ‘sustainability science’ which asks how can we create dynamic connections between knowledge and action?

Proactive

PHOTO: BILL MEAD

BY JACQUELINE PEMBERTON

Clearly, time is of the essence when it comes to climate change. And since weather systems around the globe are intertwined, estimates suggest that melting polar glaciers may cause sea levels to rise by as much as two metres by 2050, resulting in more severe storms, flooding, and erosion. Not only would this harm agriculture, but it may also make parts of the Netherlands uninhabitable and put the country’s social and economic infrastructure—and especially flood defenses—in jeopardy. Accordingly, the Dutch government has pledged to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 49% by 2030, and is aiming for a “95% reduction by 2050, in line with goals laid down in the 2019 climate act. ”

Given the gravity of the threat. The Dutch government realises it must be proactive and face the challenge of climate change head on; and that some hard choices and serious changes need to be made– particularly if they want to succeed in meeting its ambitious emissions reduction targets. As Jetter warns, “We are at a crossroads where we need to make decisions now or face the consequences later.” Still, as one of the first countries to sign up to the 2015 UN climate agreement in Paris, the Dutch seem more than up to the challenge and are recruiting the best and the brightest across the board to collaborate, in typical Dutch fashion, to find cohesive, sustainable solutions. » ACCESS | SPRING-SUMMER 2022 | 9

PHOTOS: KUMPAN ELECTRIC

Science is critical to tackling the challenges Key technologies

One of the most important steps the Dutch are taking is to invest more in green energy systems, such as wind and solar power, as it will help to produce renewable electricity and thus move away from their dependency on fossil fuels.

According to former German Chancellor and scientist Angela Merkel, “Science must play an important role in the pursuit of sustainable development, especially in energy use. The key technologies of sustainable development include new energy and propulsion technologies that will help reduce emissions of greenhouse gases.”

The Netherlands works “mainly with offshore wind turbines, onshore wind turbines, solar panels on roofs and in solar parks,” the Dutch Government says. In addition, the Netherlands has invested heavily in electric vehicles, and is moving steadily towards a bio-based economy.

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Cover story | Sink or swim

Innovating their way out

The Netherlands is a tiny country with a lot of crea tivity. The Dutch are noted for their cutting-edge design, science, technology, and architecture and are responsible for several inventions we now take for granted–such as the microscope, stock market, submarine, cassette tapes, and the CD. In the 17th century, they also created the first floating houses. In 1979, Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas updated the idea by constructing his own floating house and later began constructing them for others. Floating homes

Ties Rijcken from TU Delft says, “Floating homes are a logical response to the predicted rise in the influx of water and the growing demand for housing.” More of these structures are being built across the country as people become increasingly aware of their benefits.

“The same might be true about your electric vehicle. If you want to leave at 7 a.m. the next day, AI can help you charge at the right time, if, for example, there is a lot of green energy available.” A curious mind

“The important thing is to never stop questioning. Never lose holy curiosity,” said Albert Einstein. Curiosity is also said to be essential to creativity, innovation, and science. Curiosity is taking centre stage at the European City of Science in Leiden. Opened on 22 January by the Minister of Education, Culture, and Science Robbert Dijkgraaf, the 365-day festival asks, “Are you curious?” Covering the full gamut of the scientific knowledge spectrum, with special emphasis on ‘citizen science’, the festival encourages everyday people to ask questions about any topic they »

In 2021, King Willem-Alexander opened the Did you k global headquarters for ‘climate adaptation’ now.. The fi . rst Du tch ein Rotterdam (GCA), where countries from (electr ship ic ship ) set s from around the world can learn how to arm ail Alphe n aan d e n R ijn in themselves against extreme weather and 2021. climate change. According to the Dutch news organisation NOS, “It is housed in a floating building next to a floating park, both of which can rise with the water level, and is the largest floating office in the world, according to its architect. Furthermore, it is totally sustainable, generating more energy using solar panels than it requires.” AI

“Artificial Intelligence (AI) will aid us considerably in the management of our energy system. As more and more of our energy comes from renewable sources such as the sun and wind,” says TU Professor Mathijs de Werdt. “However, because the wind does not always blow and the sun does not always shine, we will always require power,” he says. “Say, I work from home and want to do some laundry. My washing machine may use AI to predict the arrival of a cloud field and decide that it is more beneficial to wait until after that cloud field.”

PHOTO: TACO VAN DER EB

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Watch them learn through concept based inquiry at The International School of The Hague

Admissions open for Primary School

Cover story | Sink or swim

High on the agenda is climate change and sustainability, in line with UNESCO, which this year called on “all to harness the potential of open science, to limit the impact of climate change and shape a fairer and peaceful world.” The festival will also work with the European Science Open Forum and will focus on more sustainable ways of living. Adapt and change

Climate change is clearly a serious concern for the Netherlands. However, while transitioning away from fossil fuels is critical, it is not without obstacles. For example, not everyone is thrilled with the appearance of large wind turbines on the landscape.

PHOTO: KUMPAN ELECTRIC

Moreover, some scientists argue that while sustain able energy alternatives like wind and solar may offer a short-term fix, they are not enough to power the rest of the twenty-first century and cite peaceful nuclear energy as a possible better long-term alternative, as it will be able to provide continuous base-load power with l ittle or no CO2 emissions.

The Netherlands is more aware of the importance of protecting natural resources choose via various channels–for instance, by entering a digital portal via the use of QR codes, each one displaying a different event. By scanning the code, participants will then be transported into the digital realm of a webpage of their interest. In addition, the festival website says there will be various workshops, events, and excursions citywide in which participants will be able to become researchers themselves, and in turn, contribute to a new knowledge pool–for example, by visiting a particular neighbourhood in Leiden to study the insects and biodiversity of the area.

In light of these complex issues, there is a growing consensus for science and scientific innovations to help to provide more sustainable solutions, help bridge the gap between various stakeholders, and that there needs to be more dialogue and interaction with citizens in the process. Certainly these are challenging problems and climate change is likely to remain a work in progress. Nevertheless, the Dutch have dealt with water-related issues for generations, with their distinctive practical, can-do, forward-thinking mentality, and have fostered a resilience that has allowed them to adapt, alter, and tinker with the times. Traits that just might help them keep their small windswept nation high and dry and sustainable for years to come. «

About the author Jacqueline Pemberton is a British-Australian freelance writer living in the Netherlands.

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Law | Partner Feature

Performance problems and PIPs All companies aim to optimise performance, including the effectiveness of their employees. Godelijn Boonman of GMW lawyers explains what happens when employee performance becomes a problem and what a PIP means in practice. When is performance a “problem”?

GODELIJN BOONMAN

Simply put, a performance problem can occur whenever an employee repeatedly underperforms in their role. As soon as an employer informs an employee that there is a performance problem, such as poor performance, the problem can be said to exist. While performance problems often negatively affect an employment relationship, a performance problem on its own does not automatically lead to dismissal. What happens thereafter is key. In the Netherlands, both employer and employee are expected to try to solve issues such as performance problems together before the situation reaches the point where termination of employment becomes justified. What is a PIP?

070 361 50 48 www.gmw.nl/en

A Performance Improvement Plan (PIP) is often, but not necessarily, a formal document that defines recurring performance problems, specific improvement goals that an employee needs to achieve, a time scale for doing so and the consequences when not achieved. An employer can choose to implement a PIP on any employee who has a performance problem, except for an employee who has already been declared sick. An employer will need to wait for the employee to get better first. What does a PIP mean in practice?

The implementation of a PIP can be viewed in two ways: 1 – As an opportunity for the employee to improve, and/or 2 – As a signal that the employment is at risk.

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By going through a PIP, an employer can give a poorly functioning employee the chance to succeed and perform well. However, a PIP can also be used to build a case for demotion or dismissal. As such, it should be a red flag signal to the employee; there is a significant problem. PIP process

Once a PIP has been implemented, both employer and employee have obligations they must fulfil. The employer is obliged to help the employee turn their performance around by providing additional assistance, supervision or training. They must also document the PIP process. The employee is obliged to cooperate and actively participate in the PIP process. If the employee adopts a passive attitude, refuses to cooperate, or obstructs the PIP, then the employer can hold this against them.

Gives an employee the chance to succeed Don’t get PIPped to the post

In practice, performance issues can quickly derail an employment relationship. If the implementation of the PIP does not lead to satisfactory performance, then it may be time to end the employment. If you have an underperforming employee, or if your employer presents you with a PIP, you would therefore be wise to seek legal advice. An employment lawyer can explain your rights, risks and obligations, allowing you to make the best possible decisions. «

Travel

Round and around

Windmills are probably some of the most recognisable landmarks in the Netherlands and an integral part of Dutch history.

BY LYNETTE CROXFORD AND PHOTOS BY RICHARD CROXFORD

But windmills didn’t originate in the Netherlands. Water-powered mills were found in Greece as early as the second century BCE and historians believe the windmill actually originated in Afghanistan. With 2022 being the Year of the Miller in the Netherlands, it seemed opportune to look at these iconic structures dotting the landscape. Traditional

The tradition of milling in the Netherlands dates back to the thirteenth century. The two largest groups of mills are polder mills and corn mills. But other mills saw wood, make paper, press oil from seeds, husk barley and grind dyes. Examples of these ‘industrial mills’ can be found at the Zaanse Schans, the North Holland area which was the first industrial area and at one time had around 600 windmills. Today there are numerous mills to visit across the country as well as museums to learn more about the history and get a peek into life as a milling family. The mills have different build styles with some being round and tall, while others are pentagon shaped, flaring out at the bottom. »

ACCESS | SPRING-SUMMER 2022 | 15

Travel | Round and around

Classics and gems

Mills and mills 2022 is the Year of the Miller in the Netherlands.

In the city of Schiedam between Rotterdam and Delft stand the tallest classical windmills in the world. Schiedam used to be a hub for distilleries, and the windmills were built in the 1700s to grind malt but also animal feed and grain for the city’s bakers.

14 to 15 May is National Mill Day.

Originally the city boasted around 40 mills but now only seven remain, towering like sentinels over the city. The highest stands at almost 43 metres, or 55 if you count the sails. Today, the Molen De Walvisch has the national Jenever Museum and a mill shop where you can buy flour and other baked goodies. Another gem in Schiedam’s crown is De Babbersmolen, the oldest existing stone polder mill in the Netherlands and a truly unique piece of history, taking you back in time to the old Delfland polders. The stone mill replaced its wooden predecessor in 1710, continuing the centuries’ old process of draining

Towering like sentinels over the city

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the Babberspolder. Next to the windmill there is a mini version built as a water educational tool, where visitors can flood the mini polder and dry the land using a scoop wheel. Not far away in Delft is the Molen de Roos, built around 1760 and the only survivor of almost 20 windmills originally built in the city. When Delft recently underwent extensive excavation to build a new underground rail line, two blue basalt stones were unearthed close to the location of the mill, thought to be the original mill stones that were removed in 1927. The stones will now be used again to produce flour at the mill, supplying locals with traditionally milled flour. The top axle of the Molen de Roos reads, 'De Otter 1847'–this axle originates from the oil mill De Otter that stood next to De Roos until around 1858. A trio of windmills decorate the countryside in Leidschendam along the Stopwijkseweg, not far from The Hague. These three mills stand in a diagonal row and were built around 1672 to drain the Driemanspolder. Because of extensive peat dredging in this area, water became problematic and the mills were used to pump away the excess water. These mills are some of the few remaining inhabited windmills, so cannot be visited, just viewed from a distance.

Further north is the Kalkmolen in Hoogmade, a village outside of Leiden. The windmill was originally situated in Leiderdorp but was moved to accommodate a new highway exit and housing estate in 2006. Originally built in 1685, the windmill drained the Kalkpolder, an area of approximately 90 hectares. In 2006 it was fully restored before being placed in Hoogmade to function as a working mill again. The upper housing of this mill is painted in Rhineland-red but was previously a dark green. The story goes that the landowner requested the colour partly because Hoogmade was predominantly Catholic at the time, so he didn’t want to a Protestant (green) mill within its territory. Open doors

Join in the celebration of the windmill on the second weekend in May, on National Mill Day in the Netherlands. Wind and water mills will open their doors to visitors revealing a slice of history and attracting the attention these historic working buildings deserve. «

About the photographer and author Richard and Lynette Croxford were born in South Africa and moved to South Holland 10 years ago. They have two daughters and enjoy photography, running and exploring cities on foot.

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Arts & Entertainment

PHOTO: FLORIADE

From small seeds…

2022 sees the return of Floriade, the international horticulture exhibition that takes place in the Netherlands once a decade.

BY TRACEY TAYLOR

PHOTO: STUDIO OSSIDIANA

Floriade is the only re-occurring exhibition of its kind in Europe. This year sees the seventh edition and the city of Almere is playing host from 14 April to 9 October 2022.

Focusing on making our city spaces more environmentally friendly and sustainable, exhibitors will treat you to a myriad of scents, colours, flowers, plants, vegetables, and fruit, alongside the latest innovations and enterprises in a greener future.

Theme players

Melody makers

The theme for this year’s Floriade Expo is Growing Green Cities. Both national and international horticulturists will collaborate to bring this theme to life in what promises to be a spectacular and informative display.

Next to this, the Floriade Expo will also present a selection of sub-themes broken down into: • Greening the City–highlighting how everyone and everything can contribute;

Almere calling

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• Feeding the City–looking at urban agriculture and a rtificially produced food; • Healthying the City–exploring clean air, water, and soil sources where we live; • Energising the City–generating ideas for the storage and saving of energy. Park life

From high-tech solar powered roof panels to the best way of growing plants and vegetables, to presentations by Dutch horticulturists to stunning garden displays hailing from India, Japan, and Nepal (to name but a few), the Floriade Expo Park is bursting into a colourful celebration of green solutions and sustainable technology. More than 400 participants (gardeners, creators, and experts) from around the globe will be showcasing their unique innovations and concepts.

Floriade grounds. The cable car consumes low levels of energy while offering high infrastructure efficiency– thus further embracing the Expo theme of Growing Green Cities. Accessible to all (including scoot mobiles and wheelchairs), during the cable car ride, one can take in a bird’s-eye view while experiencing this sustainable and pioneering method of urban transport.

More info

• The Floriade Expo in • • •

Sow good

Dutch horticulturists will also be staging The Green House. Join the team on the journey from small seeds to the succulent fruit and vegetables that we consume, and from simple cuttings to the most dazzling flowers and plants. Innovations in this field also include biodiversity, climate adaptation and sustainable cultivation. Designated groups will also consider how the planting of roses can add value to cities and public spaces, and elsewhere will investigate the consumption of crickets and other insects as a protein source.

Aerial vision

Deep breaths

There will also be a state-of-the-art cable car stretching 850-metres across the park, allowing visitors to go on a rather spectacular journey 35-metres above the

Another presentation will be The Green Lung–an exhibit that can be found at the Aeres University of Applied Sciences, which is part of the Flevo »

• •

Did you k now.. Almer . e is

in the provin of Fle ce volan d whic part o h is f the A mster dam metro polita n area.

PHOTO: FLORIADE

PHOTO: DVAN KOLCK

The garden displays will cover an assortment of concepts including the use of experimental urban furniture to create synergies, the merging of nature and nature-related technologies and the creation of spiritual spaces to help connect with nature.

•

Almere spans 600,000 m2! The Floriade Expo is expected to have two million visitors this year! Floriade Expo: 14 April – 9 October 2022 Visiting address: Floriade Pavilion, Archerpad 8, 1324 ZZ Almere Accessible by: Car, Bike and Public Transport Tickets & Info: floriade.com Floriade: Noun //: From the Latin word, floriat which means to design with flowers

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Join the adventure... Whether you’re looking for something fun to keep your child occupied, or you need full-time care while you’re at work, Zein has the answer! Zein offers an exciting range of Multi-Activity and Themed Day Camps, arranged by age group to ensure campers of all ages (4-12 years) will have great fun and learn new skills whatever camp they choose! Children can express their creativity while refining their artistic skills at art and craft camp, delve into the world of theatre and improvisation at performing arts camp, embark on a culinary journey at master chef camp and enjoy improving teambuilding skills at sports camp. Every weekly programme includes two field trips.

www.holidaycamps.nl Multiple locations across The Hague

Monday-Friday, 08:00-18:30

Healthy organic (warm) meals and

snacks throughout the day, entrance fees and transport for field trips and all materials and instruction included Rebates are available to working parents through the Dutch Childcare Allowance (kinderopvangtoeslag)

DAY CARE

PRE-SCHOOL

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HOLIDAY CAMPS

Zein International Childcare, the #1 choice for internationally-minded families

Arts & Entertainment | From small seeds…

Think green

PHOTO: ZOE SCHAEFFER

Horticulture is essentially the growing and cultivation of garden crops, fruit, vegetables, and ornamental plants. If you break it down, it is all pretty amazing and something that one might be tempted to take for granted.

Bursting into a colourful celebration of green solutions Campus (see page 28 of this issue for more). During the Floriade Expo, Flevo Campus will operate as a knowledge and innovation centre in terms of urban food supplies, along with bringing education, research, and science together in the key areas of climate adaptation, sustainability, and health. This also ties into the Dutch Innovation Experience– a pavilion which will outline the future of housing construction and how we can move forward with fewer emissions of harmful gases. Harvest ideas

Next to all that, the Floriade Expo will also offer several open-air activities alongside indoor attractions in the various greenhouses and pavilions that dot the park. Gorgeous gardens, wonderful workshops, and exciting exhibitions will mix seamlessly with general attractions, yummy tasting sessions, fine art, and lots and lots of culture. A veritable wealth of inspiration to embrace, experience and enjoy!

With a renewed hunger for humans to get “back to nature” and become more connected with the earth and sustainable (self-sufficient) living again, the Floriade Expo not only offers top-level insights into such topics but also serves as a huge inspiration.

Live green

In a world where nature (flora and fauna) is often tragically sacrificed at the expense of construction projects, motorway and runway extensions, and urban development, the sacred realm of horticulture–and those who pioneer its practices–is trying to find a way to help nature continue to thrive amidst the concrete, glass, and steel. The innovators participating in the Floriade Expo are sharing their ideas and hopes for a better–and more sustainable–world in an effort to inspire others, encourage dialogue and stimulate change. It is not just the state-of-the-art designs and devices nor the innovative science that will serve to educate and excite, but also the sheer size and beauty of the park itself and its stunning space and delightful–and delicious–displays. And what’s more is that we can all contribute to this eco-friendly outlook and those stunning green cities of the future! «

About the author Tracey Taylor lives in Maastricht with Dave and their cat, Little Tubbs. Tracey is Irish, a travel enthusiast and an aspiring photographer. She also writes a (cat) blog, hosts a weekly expat talk show, and sings in a local church choir. @traceytaylor_nl | @taylormade.theblog | @littletubbs_the cat

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International Community

Internationals making a difference in the world BY OLIVIA VAN DEN BROEK-NERI

The Netherlands has long

Sibö - From Costa Rica to the Netherlands, Sibö

attracted entrepreneurs from

is developing clean and efficient insect-based

around the world. We talked

for food manufacturers.

to three internationals who started companies that are making a difference.

bio-materials to create sustainable ingredients

“Insects are the most viable solution to feed the world by 2050,” says Alejandro Ortega who together with Daniela Arias co-founded Sibö whose goal is to develop technology that will make this eco-solution appealing and accessible to the world. Realising that they needed the knowledge and expertise from the Netherlands, he and Daniela moved to the Netherlands with a Startup Visa. “We saw the Netherlands as the best place with the best ecosystem and the right alignment with what we wanted to accomplish,” he says. According to Ortega, the benefits of eating insects speak for themselves–they contain three times more protein than beef, use 25 times less space and 2,000 times less water, and emissions are 150 times lower. “Curiously enough, humans rely on three types of food–animal proteins, vitamins and minerals,” he says. “Insects have all of those three things. It is a perfect solution!” Key part to all of this is to think about the supply

Sibö started an insect farm in Costa Rica and plans to expand throughout the country, as well as in other tropical countries. “We want to license and enable this technology for everyone,” Ortega says, “allowing insects to be used widely.” Sibö’s goal is to find harmony between human technology and human nature. “I see the company already spreading its wings and in five years we’ll have our next breakthrough revelation–insect-based plastic,” he says. “Everything we are doing is crazy enough, why not take a risk!” 22 | ACCESS | SPRING-SUMMER 2022

PHOTO: CHRISTINA WOCINTECHCHAT PHOTO: QUAN WELLBEING

The local business agency set the foundation we grow from

Quan Wellbeing - Quan Wellbeing’s science-

Money is no longer a deciding factor

backed employee wellbeing software helps

Workers are more in touch with themselves and also care about how their employer contributes to society. “You need to be an organisation that is having a positive impact on the world,” she says. “The best of us will not settle for anything less.” “For us, wellbeing is a 100-year plus science, which is very much understood,” Brouwer says. “Truth is there are more than 200 dimensions of wellbeing and it’s all interconnected.” Quan Wellbeing offers solutions for teams and organisations by pointing out areas of their life needing attention. A seven- minute assessment helps a person not only define those areas, but also offers causes and solutions on how to improve. »

managers and teams prevent burnout and enhance their performance.

Arosha Brouwer, CEO and co-founder, and Lucy Howie, CPO and co-founder, of Quan Wellbeing, point to the Great Resignation (an ongoing economic trend where employees have voluntarily resigned from their jobs en masse, beginning in early 2021, primarily in the United States) of knowledge-workers around the world. She sees the traditional perks that used to lure workers are no longer working, and wellbeing has moved from a perk to core importance in retaining a workforce.

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PHOTO: SPACE4GOOD

International Community | Internationals making a difference in the world

The Netherlands has the best ecosystem for what we want to accomplish This ‘scan’ is meant for groups of minimumally six persons, and everyone receives an individual report. The team lead also gets support. The assessment forces the team to discuss the problems that the individuals are facing. “We are trying to help the team to create space to develop better ways to work,” says Brouwer.

PHOTO: SPACEX

A feature article about Quan in Tech Crunch magazine resulted in 125 individuals signing up for a demo and free trial within 72 hours. “They read the article and did something about it! We are now entering the next phase,” says Brouwer. “The international eyes are on us.” Space4Good - Space4Good is an innovative

Brouwer moved to the Netherlands from Australia in 2017, having studied here previously. She values the organisations in The Hague that help startups, and even helped co-found one. “The Hague Business Agency and people in The Hague really helped us in the early, early stage,” she says. “It set up the foundation that we are now growing from.” 24 | ACCESS | SPRING-SUMMER 2022

social enterprise utilising space technology for social and environmental good.

Originally from Germany, Alexander Gunkel is founder and Managing Director of Space4Good. He moved to the Netherlands in 2012 for his first job at the European Space Agency (ESA).

From this relatively simple start, he says, “I fell in love with the country, the industry and fell in love with my wife.” Gunkel was inspired by how space technology can contribute to a better world, and realised that entrepreneurship was the best way for him to make a difference. Since 2013 he has (co-)founded three space technology startups, of which Space4Good is the pivotal platform. Space4Good uses satellite imagery and big data analytics to observe, understand and model complex environments across the planet, ranging from forestry, agriculture, peace and justice, and–importantly–climate change related programmes. The company is emerging as a leader in the monitoring, reporting and verification of agroforestry projects. Managing and conserving our environment

Space4Good has made it to the next round of the XPRIZE Rain Forest Competition, a five-year comp etition with a $10 million dollar prize. “The most motivated teams from all over the world are coming together to understand nature better in order to protect nature better,” Gunkel explains. “That is what we are doing with our company in general.” The contest is not only about a prize–it is about creating awareness for the sector and motivating partners to come together. The competition’s length gives teams the possibility to work with donors and investors who can enable the teams to develop their products, which is essential: “The committee knows that the type of technology doesn’t exist yet,” explains Gunkel. There will be a qualifying event in mid-2022 when teams will have to prove their technology. The company is looking at new sectors which will be emerging that will require their expertise. “Agroforestry is a major theme for us, in the world and the Netherlands,” Gunkel says. “It is becoming more and more important. We are in a very good position.”

Support for entrepreneurs

Gunkel is not only grateful for the space ecosystem within the Netherlands but also for the community and government support he can build on. “Partners and places like the Humanity Hub in The Hague or the Impact Hub in Amsterdam are perfect for our very technology-driven work,” he says.

Starting your business Thinking of starting your own business in the Netherlands? The ACCESS website is full of information.

I fell in love with the country and the industry “The governments in South Holland and the Netherlands understand the importance of bringing people together and have supported us from the start,” Alex says. “From a small community of people, we became a fully operational company with a growing team of highly talented individuals across the world.” More of these types of communities are emerging in the Netherlands and throughout Europe, points out Gunkel, and are essential in connecting entrepreneurs with the right people. “Use the community to find like-minded people,” he says. “Find like-minded people with a similar passion, get more information and start building your business and your professional activities.”

There are many forms of support in the Netherlands for starters in business. ACCESS can point you in the right direction.

In the last issue of this magazine, we looked at what it is like to start your own business in the Netherlands.

Although the Netherlands is a small country, it has a history of encouraging entrepreneurship. Sibö, Quan Wellbeing and Space4Good are three examples of how internationals are major players in driving its economy and why the Netherlands will continue to be a major player in the world of business. «

About the author California-native Olivia van den Broek-Neri works as Project Coordinator Communications & Events at Holland Expat Center South in Eindhoven, and was previously an ACCESS volunteer.

ACCESS | SPRING-SUMMER 2022 | 25

Schools: heart of the community Amsterdam

The Hague

• A mity International School Amsterdam

• British School in The Netherlands

Admissions: +31 20 345 44 81 admissions@amity.amsterdam amityschool.nl

Admissions: admissions@britishschool.nl britishschool.nl

IBMYP*Candidate School IBDP. Not-for-profit inter national school surrounded by green spaces. Students ages 3-15. Focus on inquiry, creativity and independence.

Primary*GCSE/A level*IBDP*IBCP. International school for 3-18 years, 80+ nationalities. Inspiration & challenge for the whole child, creating global citizens who can build a better world.

Amsterdam

The Hague

• Winford Bilingual Primary School

•E uropean School The Hague

Admissions: +31 20 751 66 50 info@winford.nl winford-bilingual.nl

Admissions: +31 70 700 16 00 info@eshthehague.nl europeanschoolthehague.nl

Winford Bilingual Primary School offers high quality bilingual primary education. Our students follow the Dutch, UK, and IPC curricula. Located in Amsterdam, Leiden and Haarlem.

The European School The Hague inspires students to be responsible, future focused and proactive citizens of Europe and the world. #Positivity #Ambition #Respect

Delft

• International School Delft

The Hague

• G erman International School The Hague

Admissions: +31 15 285 00 38 or +31 15 820 02 08 admissions@internationalschooldelft.org internationalschooldelft.com

Admissions: +31 70 354 94 54 info@disdh.nl disdh.nl/en-us

IBPYP * IBMYP * will add IBDP Young growing IB world school for 3-16 yrs. Caring international staff & community, focus on Innovation & Design.

Founded 150 years ago, DISDH has a strong commitment to promoting the German language and culture within the community.

The Hague / Wassenaar

The Hague

• A merican School of The Hague

• HSV International School

Admissions: +31 70 512 10 60 admissions@ash.nl ash.nl

Admissions: +31 70 318 49 51 id.admissions@hsvdenhaag.nl hsvid.nl

From a single classroom in the early 1950s, to nearly 1,300 students, the ASH journey is rich with history and experiences that connect our community through the decades.

Preschool*Primary*Special Education. International Primary School offering international education to children aged 3-11 years old. Four locations in different areas of The Hague.

26 | ACCESS | SPRING-SUMMER 2022

Academic institutions are communities of families, staff, students and support teams– the people ACCESS has been serving for more than 35 years. Below are the institutions who invest in us so we can continue to serve internationals throughout the Netherlands.

The Hague

Rotterdam

• I nternational Waldorf School of The Hague

•N ord Anglia International School Rotterdam (NAISR)

Admissions: +31 70 783 00 30 info@iwsth.org internationalwaldorfschool.nl

Admissions: +31 10 422 53 51 admissions@naisr.nl nordangliaeducation.com/rotterdam

IWSTH distinguishes itself through the integration of cognitive and artistic education. Our balanced educational approach addresses learning that occurs with the head, heart and hands.

We open doors to learning and provide life-changing experiences that inspire and enable every child to flourish, now and in their future lives. Children from 3-18 on one site.

The Hague

NORD ANGLIA INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL ROTTERDAM

Rotterdam

• I nternational School of The Hague

• Rotterdam International Secondary School (RISS)

Admissions: +31 70 328 14 50 ishthehague.nl

Admissions: +31 10 890 77 44 admissions.riss@wolfert.nl riss.wolfert.nl

IPC* IBMYP* IBDP*IBCP. We offer children aged from 4-18 high quality international education, inspiring personal excellence in our strong and diverse community.

Moving countries is hard but choosing the right school for your child should not be. We welcome all your questions about admission at RISS. Speak to you soon.

Hoofddorp

ROT T E R DAM I N T E R N AT I O N AL S E C O N DA RY SCHOOL

Boarding

• O ptimist International School

• E erde International Boarding School

Admissions: +31 23 303 59 24 info@optimist-international-school.nl optimist-international-school.nl

Admissions: +31 529 45 14 52 admission@eerdeibs.nl eerde.nl

We offer an engaging and inspiring learning environment, where students follow the inquiry based International Primary Curriculum and National Curriculum for language and maths.

Eerde is the only international school in the Netherlands with day school and boarding facilities. Offering a safe place on its estate to focus on study, activities and socialising.

Rotterdam

The Hague

• Harbour International

• C an we help you?

Admissions: +31 10 448 22 66 veroniquez@harbouribsr.nl harbourinternational.nl

Contact: Deborah Valentine edirector@access-nl.org access-nl.org

Primary International school for 4-11 yrs. Differentiated curriculum, a safe and caring environment help foster and develop all children’s potential.

Schools help us, and we help them. They are communities of staff, parents and children. Together, we are a large part of the international community. Join us?

ACCESS | SPRING-SUMMER 2022 | 27

Food & Wellbeing

Innovate our way out The Netherlands is leading the way to a healthy and regenerative world food system

damage. One solution is to ‘innovate our way out’ using science to address the biggest problems in our food supply systems. The Netherlands is leading the way not only in growing tasty, affordable, healthy and sustainable food produced with respect for animals and the planet, but in developing innovative uses of technology to help determine how we will eat in the future. Shifting protein and circular production

BY SANDRA SILVA

According to some estimates, by 2050 the Earth’s food system will need to feed ten billion people worldwide. To do this we will need to produce 56 percent more food while avoiding environmental

In order to achieve a more sustainable food system, the majority of proteins consumed should be of plant-based origin. In Europe, we are approaching the protein transition tipping point–the moment where a plant-based diet moves from niche to mainstream. To achieve this goal by the end of this decade, we need a system that connects food consumption and production and to find protein sources that fit into a circular agricultural system that respects both the climate and environment, reducing the use of raw materials and loss. New sources of protein are being developed–insects, algae, duckweed, snails and cultured meat could potentially replace less sustainable sources. Innovations such as using insects to turn waste into proteins maximise circular production.

PHOTOS: MAXPIXEL.NET

28 | ACCESS | SPRING-SUMMER 2022

PHOTO: THIS IS ENGINEERING

Food and health

Food products and services should combine convenience, taste, price, availability and contribute to good health. Established in 2004, Foodvalley NL is an independent platform for the innovation and transition of the global food system. It has been developing and strengthening an international ecosystem of organisations that work together to realise this transition– the Foodvalley ecosystem. They work closely with corporations, small and medium-size enterprises, governments and renowned educational and research institutions. Foodvalley wants to challenge organisations to think about alternatives and how they can inspire and learn from each other. It is building a new system where it sets the agenda, keeps the pace, guides and connects.

A healthy and regenerative food system is on its way It does not grow or produce anything themselves, does not sell and does not engage in research, but its organisations and members do. Its global network of a few thousand companies and organisations works daily–in cooperation and solo–at innovative ways to transform the food system. The Dutch Research Agenda (NWA) programme Transition to a sustainable food system shares the same concerns as Foodvalley NL and investigates how people can be sustainably fed in the year 2050. The goal is an integrated food production system in which less food is lost, natural resources are conserved, and soil ecology and biodiversity are strengthened. » ACCESS | SPRING-SUMMER 2022 | 29

PHOTO: AERES HOGESCHOOL

Food & Wellbeing | Innovate our way out

PHOTO: SARA COTTLE

Keeping cities liveable requires knowledge and science

Keeping cities liveable

Keeping cities liveable requires knowledge

By 2050, it’s estimated some 80 percent of the world's population will live in cities. As more people move to cities, this creates issues with nature, liveability, and the supply of food, water and energy. The world needs green cities with street trees, urban parks, edible green walls, and community and rooftop gardens that will keep us cool amid rising temperatures and contribute to a more fluid architecture-landscape surface.

Aeres University of Applied Sciences has three faculties (Almere, Dronten and Wageningen), with studies focused on Food, Nature and Urban Green. Education in Almere centres on using knowledge to make cities sustainable in terms of nature, food, water and energy. Aeres is considered the greenest university in the Netherlands. The building was built under the idea Let the city live and contains soil, water, people and living environment, food and air themes within.

30 | ACCESS | SPRING-SUMMER 2022

The Flevo Campus

Flevoland flavours

Aeres and the Food Forum formed the Flevo Campus, located in the Floriade Park 2022 (see pages 18-21 for more on Floriade) in Almere. The Flevo Campus, which sits geographically between the consuming Randstad area of the Netherlands and the food- producing polders, is the place where innovations in the urban food supply are put into practice by researchers, teachers, students, entrepreneurs and changemakers and therefore a scientific knowledge hub on urban food issues for the future.

The Province of Flevoland wants to help local frontrunners in the cultivation of protein-rich crops by strengthening the connection between growers and producers. This allows growers to put more healthy products on the market with locally grown field beans, soy, quinoa or other protein-rich crops.

The campus houses courses on sustainability, health and gastronomy. Food innovation start-ups are also part of the campus, bringing knowledge and practice together. The Food Forum building is based on nature with the upper floor reflecting the height of the sea level and the fertile Flevoland soil. The first floor consists mainly of wood with renewable materials, and breathable clay walls regulate the moisture balance in a natural way and contribute to a healthy indoor climate. The ground floor is light and transparent as water.

Food Forum is working on the menu of the future based on sufficient, safe, healthy and contemporary food for everyone, without exhausting the earth– vegetables and legumes will play a leading role. Agriculture of the future

Healthy soil will be one of the fundamentals of our future food system. According to Wageningen University, intercropping activities such as strip or mosaic cropping and agroforestry have become the norm as they make the most of valuable soil, promote biodiversity and enhance the resilience of our food system to climate and pests. »

Did you k now.. . Aeres

PHOTO: MAXPIXEL.NET

PHOTO: THIS IS ENGINEERING

' build ing in Almer e is kn o wn as the 'G reen L ung.'

ACCESS | SPRING-SUMMER 2022 | 31

A unique, multilingual education for an extraordinary future. • English • Dutch • French

The European School of Mol is open to all students aged 3 -18. A relaxed, family feel pervades our leafy 20-hectare campus, which is located just 45 km from Eindhoven. Our school bus service ensures easy access.

Europawijk 100, 2400 Mol, Belgium • www.esmol.be • pr@esmol.be • +32 14 563 111

Food & Wellbeing | Innovate our way out

The Dutch focus on agricultural surplus, born from the experience of the Hunger Winter of World War Two, resulted in post-war large-scale farming that in turn led to the Netherlands ranking consistently among the world’s top food exporting nations. This has transformed recently into a mission to provide solutions to humanity’s impending food supply problem. Wageningen University & Research food vision for 2050

For the Food Systems Vision Prize launched by the Rockefeller Foundation, Wageningen University & Research presented its food vision for the Netherlands in 2050: a country where consumers will eat healthy and sustainably (two-thirds plantbased proteins), food waste will decrease by 80 percent and the household water management systems will recycle up to 95 percent of shower and bathwater for toilet flushing, washing machines or gardening.

PHOTO: THIS IS ENGINEERING

In this vision, a new type of society will emerge where citizens organise themselves in novel ways, by participating in food policy councils to make collective decisions about their local food environments and the way food is produced. The government will have its role elaborating a national food strategy with which all sectoral policy efforts will be aligned.

Using science to address problems in our food supply systems The coming decades will see the digitalisation of agriculture. Technology will support regenerative farming practices. Small-scale robots will monitor, weed and harvest the multiple crops. A combination of drone-recorded images of crop fields with soil will scan support crop growth. Data from farms can also become a new source of income for farmers and entrepreneurs.

The contrast between producers and consumers will be overcome and “prosumers” will emerge. Farming communities can help ensure that consumers and producers collaboratively shape the way their food is produced. A fundamental healthy and regenerative food system is on its way, it is expected in 2050, and it will most likely originate from Dutch innovation. «

About the author Sandra Silva is a Portuguese teacher and city guide living in Almere, and is passionate about photography, travels, art, history and storytelling. Find more at her website sandrastours.nl and Instagram account @sandrastoursnl

ACCESS | SPRING-SUMMER 2022 | 33

Education | Partner Feature

Shaping a better future for all The International School of The Hague (ISH) takes the global environmental challenges ahead very seriously. Our vision is to ‘To shape a better future for all: inspiring students to become compassionate and proactive global citizens’ and the climate is at the centre of this future. We’re proud to have been awarded our first Eco-Schools Green Flag in June 2012, and are currently working towards our 4th flag! Students are at the heart of the school’s commitment to the environment and there are a number of studentled clubs and societies driving this agenda throughout the school year.

An example is the PlastISH Club who collect plastic packaging and bottles in and around school, then recycle them on the campus into useful and decorative items. Breaking free from Indifference

GIN is currently planning their annual GIN Day, scheduled to take place in June where a number of other schools around The Netherlands will come together to discuss the theme 'Breaking free from indifference’. Experts in their fields are invited to deliver lectures on the very latest thinking on the environment and students will then break off into student-led workshops to generate ideas for initiatives to overcome the challenges discussed.

We have a duty to inspire this coming generation so that they can shine a light on the path for change

Student-led Clubs

070 328 14 50 ishthehague.nl

One such club is our Global Issues Network (GIN) which in the past ten years has led a number of initiatives that have then been taken on by smaller groups and become part of our everyday life at school.

Proactive students

Another important event our proactive students are hosting this year is the Eco-Schools Dutch International Secondary Schools’ Inspiration Day. Eco-teams from each Dutch international school will descend on the ISH campus to share knowledge and ideas focusing on the theme of sustainability. This workshop driven event aims to inspire students to proactively initiate, develop and improve on their school's eco-team projects. At ISH we're very fortunate to be situated in an area of rare natural beauty and we don’t take this for granted. We give our students the tools to go out into the world to help others also benefit from a safe, clean and sustainable way of life. We have a duty to inspire this coming generation from within so that they can shine a light on the path for change. «

34 | ACCESS | SPRING-SUMMER 2022

Dutch Lifestyle

Amsterdam’s Doughnut

PHOTO: MARCO VERCH

The city’s search for the sustainability sweet spot.

By the end of 2022, eggshells and vegetable peels from the Johan Cruijff ArenA in Amsterdam will no longer be trucked off with other waste to be processed in another part of the Netherlands. Instead, they will help power the stadium.

BY ELIZABETH HEWITT

Up to 1,800 kilos of food scraps a day will go into a Waste Transformer, a containerised anaerobic digester using bacteria to break down organic waste and converting it to green energy. The Waste Transformer, created by an Amsterdam-based company, will keep food waste from the stadium and nearby office buildings and grocery stores local.

And, according to Coen Bakker of Waste Transformers, it will also create jobs for people who have barriers to employment. The stadium’s Waste Transformer is among scores of initiatives rolling out across Amsterdam to bring the city in line with the ‘doughnut economy’–a model » ACCESS | SPRING-SUMMER 2022 | 35

Dutch Lifestyle | Amsterdam’s Doughnut

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the municipality formally embraced in 2020 ensuring the needs of every person are met without harming the planet. While the doughnut is guiding Amsterdam municipal policy and shaping long-term strategies, it also involves a mosaic of initiatives spearheaded by the city’s residents and businesses that reduce waste and pollution, reuse materials, and ensure the wellbeing of people. The sweet stuff

The doughnut model, conceived by English economist Kate Raworth, envisions a circle with a hole in the middle of it. The inner ring of the circle, the doughnut’s hole, represents things people require for a good life–food and water, housing, social equity, 36 | ACCESS | SPRING-SUMMER 2022

housing

education, health. On the other edge of the circle, the doughnut’s outer rim, is the environmental ceiling–the limits before human activity causes environmental t harm. The goal is to stay in the o ho ers sweet stuff. v o

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Amsterdam is a pioneer in applying this to the scale of a city. After collaborating with Raworth, Amsterdam officially launched its doughnut strategy in April 2020. The munici pality aims to halve its raw materials consumption by 2030 and become fully circular by 2050. To start, the city is targeting food and organic waste, c onsumer goods, and the built environment.

The doughnut framework serves as the municipality’s guide in crafting policy documents, reports and projects, according to an Amsterdam city spokesperson. And the model is already being used in both longterm and immediate capacities. When Covid-19 lockdowns kept many people at home, the city distributed 3,000 refurbished laptops to keep people with limited budgets connected. In Amsterdam Southeast, the city is working with residents and local businesses to fit the whole district within the doughnut, according to the spokesperson. Innovation

The doughnut is proving to be a fertile space for innovation and new technology in Amsterdam. On the Amsterdam Smart City platform, people are collaborating to address big issues like mobility and energy. An electricity management system being tested in Amsterdam ArenApoort will help coordinate power flows during high usage times and make it easier to integrate sustainable energy sources.

Another project is trying out technology used in space to see if it can clean wastewater and recover nutrients for use in vertical farming food production.

People see the direct impact of sustainable technology

Targeting “fast fashion”, initiatives promote repairing clothing items and reusing, rather than buying new. Through a municipal program, low-income residents can get a discount on clothing repairs, making it easier to use items for longer. Other initiatives are commercial, like a clothing library where people can borrow an item for a fee instead of buying it.

building themselves, to a program that provides surplus Dutch-grown produce to low-income Amsterdam residents. One of Drouin’s next goals is to raise awareness about the doughnut among Amsterdammers.

According to Dr. Irene Maldini, a researcher in design for sustainability at the Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences, circulating used goods does not necessarily have an environmental impact unless there’s also a reduction in consuming new goods. Increasing second-hand shopping, for instance, does not directly correlate to a reduction in purchasing new clothing. The municipality could take stronger steps to reduce the use of new materials, she said. However, she sees Amsterdam’s embrace of the doughnut model as ground-breaking because the city is acknowledging the need to reduce consumption. “For me, the most remarkable thing is the daring of acknowledging the need to reduce consumption levels and the limits of growth,” Maldini says. Bottom up, top down

Amsterdam’s adoption of the doughnut prompted a vibrant response from residents across the city, thinking creatively about how to be more sustainable in everything from the buildings they live in to the food they eat. After noticing diverse projects popping up, Jen Drouin helped create Amsterdam Donut Coalitie (coalition), a platform where people involved with different doughnut initiatives around the city could share their projects and connect. Since launching in 2020, the coalition has grown to more than 900 members, according to Drouin. Projects are diverse–ranging from a housing cooperative that is constructing a sustainable and affordable

City level policies are key for moving toward the doughnut, Drouin says, but the initiatives residents are undertaking themselves can make a difference. “I do believe in both the bottom up and top down,” Drouin says. “It needs to work both ways to change the whole culture and the whole society.” At the Johan Cruijff ArenA, the Waste Transformer’s impact will ripple out beyond the immediate social and environmental benefits in the area. Seeing how food waste powers the stadium can help visitors understand that discarded food is a major environmental issue, according to Bakker. In landfills, rotting food waste releases methane, a gas at least 28 times as potent as carbon dioxide for climate change. And it may inspire people to make changes to their habits at home. “If you have a technology that's close to people, where they actually see the direct impact of a sustainable technology, that also impacts their sustainable behaviour,” Bakker says. Since Amsterdam pioneered the city-level doughnut, other municipalities across Europe and around the world have followed suit. From Amsterdam’s experience, it’s proving to be a valuable tool–a way to bring people together and build momentum toward a shared goal. «

About the author Elizabeth Hewitt is an American freelance journalist based in Nijmegen. She reports stories about local solutions to big problems, and loves exploring Gelderland by bike and by foot.

ACCESS | SPRING-SUMMER 2022 | 37

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Education | Partner Feature

Small steps to make a big impact

Encouraging children to get involved in sustainability from a young age. At The British School in The Netherlands, we advocate and encourage our community to make more environmentally friendly choices. As an international school, we carry this responsibility—because fighting climate change starts with educating the next generation right from when they first start school. How can you help your child to make a positive difference?

Encourage Action

Talk to your child about their individual choices and model ways to help take care of our planet. Encourage them to look at what they can do to make a difference to their environment. Here are some examples based on what our Junior School students are doing: • Green Waste Recycling: To reduce the amount of waste going to landfills, students at one campus collected biodegradable waste from each class, which was turned into compost and reused in the area. Get your child involved in collecting leftovers for your green bin, as well as recyclables. • Reuse and Repurpose Creatively: Before throwing something away, challenge your child to find another use for it. Old newspapers, paper scraps and empty containers can become art resources for junk modelling, a firm favourite of our threeto five-year-old Foundation Stage students, or even papier-mache creations. Older students have organised clothing swaps and designed clothing from recycled fabrics. Perhaps you will inspire the next Stella McCartney! • Collecting Litter: Caring for our environment is vital for the local wildlife and creates a sense of pride in our community. Make a game out of it! Our students love to take turns using the litter picker and see who can collect the most trash. • Speak up: When students notice unsound environmental practices, they use persuasive writing skills to pen letters to businesses and local government officials. Encourage your child to use their voice to make a change!

Instil a Love of Nature

Admissions: 070 315 4077 admissions@britishschool.nl www.britishschool.nl

Spending time outdoors develops an appreciation for nature, helps children understand their place in the world and connect to something larger than themselves.

Time outdoors develops an appreciation for nature

At BSN Junior School campuses, our youngest students enjoy free access to outdoor learning spaces and explore nature in weekly Forest Schools lessons.

Climate change requires large-scale action, but we will all enjoy a brighter future by empowering children to get involved and make sustainable choices. «

ACCESS | SPRING-SUMMER 2022 | 39

Book Review

Place

When is a place home? BY GIULIA QUARESIMA

“So, here you are. Too foreign for home. Too foreign for here. Never enough for both.” By choosing this quote from Ijeoma Umebinyuo, Hannah Huber immediately draws us into her debut novel Place. Its taste of what is to come, and where the protagonist’s, Jill’s, story will take us. From the very beginning, you already know you can’t put the book down.

The book

Jill Stone is an American who has lived for twenty years in the Netherlands–where she moved for love and married her Dutch husband Paul. Relocation came with a sentiment, “it’s only for a year, then we can decide what to do next.” The year became two decades, which is a familiar experience for many internationals. Jill carefully settled in, getting a Master’s from Amsterdam University, learning the Dutch language, finding a job as a journalist for Radio 1, and picking up Dutch culture and customs. She got used to borrels (an informal evening gathering), canal swimming, boat parties, bike rides, and King’s Day Oranje festivities. With their daughter about to graduate secondary school and start college, the family aims to stick to their original plan of moving back to the US, back to Jill’s roots. Everything is ready, everything is planned–the farewell parties are scheduled, the scholarship for their daughter’s college is accepted, Paul’s new job is defined, and their house is put up for sale. Broken plans

But what happens when something unexpected comes along to break those plans? When life throws its tricks and the circumstances force Jill to doubt her impeccably scheduled life and to question where she better fits, and how she can get to balance her identities, her nationalities, her homes, her places, and ultimately, the most authentic meaning of ‘home’. Place Author Hannah Huber Publisher Amsterdam Academy Press. ISBN 9789090352039 Available in paperback and on Kindle. 40 | ACCESS | SPRING-SUMMER 2022

Indeed, the effort of settling in a new culture and a new community often results in changing our perspective of

our home country. “America has changed, sometimes I no longer recognise my country of origin. It’s like stalking an ex-boyfriend on Facebook– despite no longer wanting to be with him, I can’t help but wonder what he’s up to all the time.” The dilemma is how to incorporate the life she has built and come to love with the one ahead of her, which she planned for years and now she is doubting. The book’s author

Hannah Huber is the founder of Amsterdam Academy, a learning platform for the international community in the Netherlands based on panel discussions, guest lectures, workshops, and seminars where the international community integrates and engages with Dutch culture.

More info Hannah’s purpose with her debut novel was for “a comforting story, one that everyone who happened to spend time far from home could relate to and therefore be comforted by, as they find their own place in the world”. She captures the feelings of expatriation, of adjusting to a new country, of the process of making yours the new habits.

A love letter to the Netherlands I asked Hannah what she would like her readers to feel after reading Place. “Having two passports is a privilege”, she said. “It offers more choice, more freedom, more access. Sure, it can be difficult, being far away from family, and friends back home, that part doesn’t go away. It’s important to find peace and acknowledge that being an international is always going to be a balancing act”. To build up the creative effort leading to Place, Hannah put herself to work during the pandemic–giving a structure to her daily routine, joining writing groups and listening to podcasts about fiction novels.

Place was released on 8 December 2021 and is available in print and as an e-book. Don’t miss an opportunity to meet the author at the celebration of Dutch-American Friendship Day, on 19 April at BOOM Chicago (Rozengracht 117) in Amsterdam. This event, organised in partnership with the Amsterdam Academy Press and the Amsterdam American Business Club, will be an entertaining evening full of live music, comedy, interviews, and networking drinks.

She also involved beta-readers to read early drafts and provide feedback. The step of crafting and giving a shape to her book allowed her to build and reinforce a network and she found great cooperation among editors, graphic designers, and publishers. This resulted in a whole team of women making the book possible. Broadcast Amsterdam described Place as a “love letter to the Netherlands”, definitely an affectionate way to talk about all the positive things this place has gained as home. «

About the author Giulia Quaresima has been based in The Hague since 2018 and has written for ACCESS since 2019. She loves reading and exploring new places.

ACCESS | SPRING-SUMMER 2022 | 41

Education | Partner Feature

Raising Expat Children

about fluency, literacy and adequate input? This presentation will cover language development, the social, cultural and academic benefits of being raised multilingual and more.

Having children is one of life’s most rewarding

Wednesday, 20 April 2022

experiences, but can be chaotic and stressful – especially when you’re far from family and support networks. Parents who are selecting a creche or a school to launch their little ones’ academic/learning journey, may struggle to decide for many reasons, including one’s cultural background, language preferences, income, contract duration and residential location. Nord Anglia International School Rotterdam is offering four FREE parent education presentations which will be at 8pm via Zoom in March /April. The goal is for experts to equip and inform expat parents, to help them make the right decisions for their family, gain a better understanding of their child, improve their own choices and be intentional about their future. Find out more www.naisr.nl admissions@naisr.nl

Tots, Toddlers & Screen Time

Expat Wills and Testaments

Do you know about Dutch succession and inheritance law? Married or living together, every parent should have a Dutch will, should the unthinkable happen. If you die while resident in the Netherlands, your entire estate will be subject to Dutch inheritance tax and courts will want a legally appointed guardian to take custody of your children. Best get it done quickly. School Readiness for expats Monday, 25 April 2022

Expat parents often wonder if their little one is ready for an easy and successful transition to school. Social and motor skills plus language proficiency are as equally helpful as academic skills- for an optimal move to primary school. These presentations are FREE of charge as part of Nord Anglia International School Rotterdam’s community service to the extended expat community. There will be more topics in the future, including English first aid courses for babies and children. «

Thursday, 24 March 2022

We all know excessive screen time isn’t good for our little ones. Making good (programme) choices and developing good (screen time) habits at home while children are still young may help avoid the negative effects on today’s “screenagers”. Raising Bilingual Children Tuesday, 29 March 2022

Also teaching your children French, German, Spanish, Italian or Dutch? Are you concerned

42 | ACCESS | SPRING-SUMMER 2022

Visit www.naisr.nl/parenting

Education

c ritically, evaluate information, and develop diverse skill sets alongside a passion for exploration and growth. STEAM teaches students, in a realistic way, how to apply knowledge, research and skills to solve problems. STEAM embraces the four C’s, acknowledged as key in 21st century education–Creativity, Collaboration, Critical Thinking and Communication. By combining inquiry-based principles with a highly adaptable structure that suits students’ various needs, STEAM nurtures a love for learning–which is the most important takeaway from any education.

PHOTO: ROBO WUNDERKIND

A new way

STEAMing

The Institute for Arts Integration & STEAM (IAIS) believes that “for far too long in education, we’ve been working with the presumption of teaching to ensure our students get a ‘good job.’ But what does that look like?” For IAIS, it is “imperative that we facilitate learning environments that are fluid, dynamic, and relevant. None of us go outside and look at a tree and say, ‘that’s a tree, so that’s science’ or, ‘the sky is blue, so that’s art.’” For many, STEAM is not actually new, but rather a different way of understanding and applying a unified form of learning that mirrors real life.

International schools in the Netherlands are embracing a new learning approach that guides student inquiry, dialogue and critical thinking.

BY ACCESS EDITORIAL TEAM

STEAM?

STEAM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Maths and is an educational philosophy that embraces teaching skills and subjects resembling real life. In the real world, jobs are becoming more interdisciplinary, so there is a necessity to educate children in how subjects integrate and work together. Education is becoming more about learning how to think

Central to STEAM is integration. For example, Nord Anglia International School Rotterdam (NAISR) believes that while science and technology were traditionally taught separately, “used together they are tools for cracking some of the world’s greatest puzzles.” Shelley Brewer, owner and creator of STEAM Powered Family, says “rarely does a job require only one skill set like maths. Picture an architect, they use science, maths, engineering and technology to do their jobs. The subjects do not work on their own, instead they are woven together in practical and seamless ways allowing the architect to design complex buildings.” » ACCESS | SPRING-SUMMER 2022 | 43

Education | STEAMing

Adding the ‘A’

STEAM takes STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) and integrates these philosophies through art. Students connect their learning in these areas with arts practices and design principles to broaden their educational experience. As Stewart says, “I believe art is often the glue which contextualises and bonds one or more elements of the STEAM approach together.” Art is about creating inventive ways of problem- solving. While an integrated approach has always been core to NAISR, when they built their STEAM room three years ago, there was no doubt that art would be vital. “Art had already been recognised as one of the most important elements of this integrated approach,” says Stewart. In schools

Future economic success will be built on a workforce that is familiar with science, technology, engineering and maths. But the world requires more than an understanding of these areas; it needs application, creativity and ingenuity. STEAM programmes align with the way children’s minds learn and work, encouraging students to be curious.

PHOTO: NAISR ROTTERDAM

The tools for cracking the world’s greatest puzzles

The programmes can work for all ages–at the American School of The Hague (ASH), “STEAM is steadily becoming an important pillar in our curriculum across all divisions and ages.” Coding kits connect to the computer science curriculum being developed in kindergarten and Grade 1, and the school is constantly seeking natural connections with rich learning that takes place every day. 44 | ACCESS | SPRING-SUMMER 2022

PHOTO: STEM

Lynne Stewart, Technology Integration and STEAM Coordinator at NAISR, says, “students benefit immediately from a more topic-based, hands-on learning experience, which is what STEAM provides. It contextualises learning and provides a platform for personalisation of the teaching and learning. It is an opportunity for everyone to shine and show individual strengths.”

Collaboration and communication are paramount At the British School in the Netherlands (BSN) regular, school-wide inspirational STEAM events develop students’ scientific understanding by spanning curriculum highlights to answer ‘big world’ questions that touch every aspect of life. Stewart says NAISR has seen many benefits for students. “Collaboration and communication skills are paramount for a STEAM approach and are often the key elements for success,” she says. “As we move into a world where ‘content’ does not need to be stored in our heads, as it is there at the touch of a button, it is more important that the students know how to assimilate the information than memorise it. This is what a STEAM approach allows.”

In a 2014 study, researchers found connecting STEAM and literacy can positively impact cognitive development, increase literacy and math skills, and help students reflect meaningfully on their work and that of their peers. An international study published in the Journal of Educational Change found that secondary teachers’ reflections “revealed inter-, trans- and cross-disciplinary learning shaped by teacher collaboration, dialogue and classroom organisation that fosters critical and creative thinking.” In the Netherlands

An interdisciplinary and integrated approach is the definition of STEAM learning and is the way more international schools in the Netherlands are choosing to educate their students. At ASH, STEAM is becoming an important pillar in its curriculum across all divisions and ages. BSN runs events and workshops where the entire school community can come together to develop their

Did you k now.. In STE . A

M edu cation no su , bject is infe super rior o ior–a r ll kno wledg is con e necte d.

understanding of the world. At NAISR, STEAM teachers participate in workshops at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), and every spring term, students visit MIT to immerse themselves in a culture of hands-on problem-solving. Teachers, Stewart says, are “very enthusiastic. Who doesn’t like to learn and teach through play and ‘doing,’ which is what STEAM often feels like.” STEAM is about why and how as well as allowing students to create meaning for themselves and others. «

ACCESS | SPRING-SUMMER 2022 | 45

PHOTO: NAISR ROTTERDAM

The science bit

ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS ABOUT MOVING TO AND LIVING IN THE NETHERLANDS

Want to know about • Relocating to • Housing in • Living in • Education in • Healthcare in • Dual career options in, and • Leaving….. the Netherlands

Do consult our website Still can’t find your answers? Do not hesitate to email: helpdesk@access-nl.org or call us on +31 (0)85 4000 338

www.access-nl.org INFO@MYPUMP.NL 088 36 36 111

BOEZEMVRIEND BREASTFEEDING CENTER

ACCESS-Netherlands

access.nl

International preschool True Colors Delft

Lactation consultants, courses, coaching & much more

The place to have fun and grow At True Colors in Delft we offer preschool for children from 2½ to 4 years of age. This latest addition to the international childcare offered by True Colors is unique in the region and will provide children with qualified childcare in English and Dutch.

BOOK AN APPOINTMENT English speaking lactation consultants available

Boezemvriend

Overtoom 205

www.deboezemvriend.nl

Amsterdam

020 471 27 29

More information Regina Stork E-mail: regina@truecolorschildcare.com Phone: +0031(0)6 2940 9644

www.truecolorschildcare.com/new-preschool

Education | Partner Feature

Classroom, curriculum and countryside

This overarching, problem based learning ethos is apparent throughout the combination of our curriculum; IPC, IMYC, Cambridge IGCSE, and the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme. As well as including nature in on-campus learning, EIBS provides students with multiple outdoor educational adventures to learn, appreciate and understand surrounding environments. Annual trips incorporate education-based activities that draw on a range of subjects and academic skills. Flexibility and freedom, and a focused student-to-teacher ratio, allow EIBS to organise international trips such as wellness retreats, skiing, and community service projects, creating well-rounded, cultured, and dedicated global citizens.

A student’s potential is within Sporting opportunities

Knowledge through nature at Eerde

At Eerde International Boarding School (EIBS), learning goes beyond the classroom walls. Students are encouraged to develop their full potential by interacting with nature and the world beyond the traditional academic setting.

+31 (0)529 451 452 www.eerde.nl admission@eerdeibs.nl

Located on a tranquil estate in the forested region of Overijssel, EIBS provides a serene escape from city life and the traditional school model. EIBS is home for students from more than 20 countries, who are eager to embrace nature at every opportunity. While the main school building remains Eerde Castle, classrooms and learning spaces are integrated into the surrounding environment, providing students with the chance to expand their thinking to outside of classroom walls.

At EIBS there is no shortage of ways to stay active and experience the beautiful countryside. Students can enjoy a range of team sports with the opportunity to join competitive local sport clubs, and also connect with nature through swimming, canoeing and yoga. Through our partnership with the internationallyrenowned De Hazelhorst Equestrian Centre, students are able to train and compete in a variety of equestrian fields, while still perusing their collegiate goals. Reaching their full potential

At EIBS students are encouraged to reach their full potential by stepping beyond the classroom and discovering the world. We believe that each student’s potential lies within, we simply provide the educational tools, diverse experiences and an encouraging environment, to shape their path to success. EIBS is unique with its on-campus boarding program, offering both full or flexible boarding options to meet student needs. «

ACCESS | SPRING-SUMMER 2022 | 47

ACCESS Partners, Counsellors & Trainers

Thank you for helping ACCESS Government & Patrons We thank and acknowledge the following for their

Healthcare Another category which speaks for itself, and includes members of our ACCESS Trainers Network. • De Boezemvriend • Chitra Natarajan • Jac Rongen • Jacinta Noonan • Linda Bosma Malley • Meida van Baal • Maggie Bijl • Nina Bogerd • Ria Wiertz • Sandra Delgado Quist • Truus Gale

support and trust.

Learning & Education

• Amstelveen Municipality • City of Delft • European Medicines

For children as well as adults, includes language

Agency (EMA) • European Space Agency/ESTEC • Expat Centre

centres/schools.

Leiden • Expat Help • The Hague International Centre

• Alison Bradshaw • American Book Center • ABC English

• IN Amsterdam • International Welcome Centre Utrecht Region

• American School of The Hague • Amity International School

• Sapienza Consulting • TU Delft (Coming to Delft Services)

Amsterdam • Beatriz Laus • British School in the Netherlands

Dual Career Support

• Direct Dutch Institute • Eerde International Boarding School • European School of The Hague • German International

For the particular needs and interests of accompanying

School The Hague • Harbour International • HSV International

spouses/partners the following may be of value.

• International School Delft • International School of The Hague

• Angela Fusaro • Caitriona Rush • Caroline van den Bogaard

• International Waldorf School The Hague • Karin Holley

• Colleen Reichrath-Smith • Connecting Women • Empower

• Lelia Spada • Nord Anglia International School Rotterdam

Amsterdam • Janet Rodenburg • Marie Dewulf • Natália Leal

• Optimist International School • Rotterdam International

• Rawia Liverpool • Teresa Moynihan • Toastmasters of

Secondary School • SPEAK • Winford Bilingual Primary School

The Hague • Veena Joseph • Volunteer The Hague

• Ute Limacher-Riebold

• Women’s Business Initiative International

Counselling Network

Relocating

• Angelika Matthias • Ann Kuis • Caroline van Diest

Whether you are planning a relocation to the Netherlands,

• Carolyn Tabak • Cristina Baroncelli • Danielle Hollreiser

or have recently arrived and are getting settled.

• Drew Puxty • Jeanine Souren • Karolina Fotyga

• ABN AMRO • Expat Help • FVB De Boer • GMW Advocaten

• Lysanne Sizoo • Mariza Thanapoulou • Marquerite Gallagher

(Legal Expat Desk) • Mynta Law Immigration Lawyers

• Nuria Maldonado Bellido • Ophirah Toff • Patric Esters

• Prijsvergelijken

• Rosie Glicklich • Sivan Weinstein • Stephen Davies

Childcare

• Sylvia Silberg

Daycare, after-school care and support for your children. • Big Ben Kids • Johanne Bade • Kinderopvang 2SAMEN • Sunshine Au Pair • True Colors Childcare • Vertaalbureau Urgent Vertalen • Villa Bloom • Zein Childcare

Housing The services of these partners speak for themselves – and cover your housing needs. • !WOON • Expat Help • Expat Mortgages • My Dutch Mortgage Online • MLP Real Estate • Student Experience 48 | ACCESS | SPRING-SUMMER 2022

Acknowledging our Partners, Counsellors, Trainers & Volunteer Managers ACCESS is grateful for many things, not the least, the work of our strong and diverse volunteer community. They do the work – but the partners invest in us so that we are able to carry out our mission to serve the international community. Should you make use of them, do mention ACCESS referred you. Should you wish to help us serve the international community and include you in our acknowledgements, get in touch with prd@access-nl.org.

ACCESS Teams

Executive Director Deborah Valentine edirector@access-nl.org

External interface

Operations Manager Ms Qin Cai manager@access-nl.org

External locations

Central infrastructure

Finance (open)

The Hague International Centre Rawia Liverpool

Helpdesk Department Alessandra Gatta

Social Media Sylvia Radovan

IN Amsterdam Tiina Weman

Helpdesk Support Team Antonio Gutierrez and Silvana De Gregorio

Website Editor Nazlina (Naz) Quadir

International Welcome Centre Utrecht Region Luciana Fonseca

Information Research Mauren Lopez Pons

Website Master Sabeen Imran

Expat Centre Leiden Aishwarya Raman

Volunteer Resources Sara Silva Santos

Public Relations/Events Carolina Isola

Amstelveen Helpdesk Neera Lamba

Volunteer Newsletter Editor Lisa Nield

Relationship Management Crescence Martimort and Karen Henessey

Want to be a part of our team?

Community Education Qin Cai and Natália Leal

Magazine Editor Steve Voyce editor@access-nl.org

Information about volunteering with ACCESS and when we have Information Sessions in QR code below.

Childbirth Courses Bintou Keita and Jodie Crockford

Welcome to Delft Shauma (Kitty) Lannaki

First Aid Courses Qin Cai

EMA support Deborah Valentine

Counselling Services Qin Cai, Patric Esters, Lysanne Sizoo

Patron Programme John Fields

Computer Services John Pellet

ACCESS | SPRING-SUMMER 2022 | 49

ACCESS

Read more about it... If you would like to read more about some of the subjects featured in this issue, the ACCESS website is full of interesting and informative stuff about moving to and living in the Netherlands. (Simply scan a QR code to navigate to the relevant article.) Cover story

Cover story

ACCESS

Education

PHOTO: VANDEBRON

ILLUSTRATION: ELISABETH SCHETTLE

PHOTO: ERDA ESTREMERA

PHOTO: BROOKE CAGLE

Toward a greener orange

Food Innovation

Relocating to the Netherlands

Schools in the Netherlands

Interested in reading more about how the Netherlands is becoming more sustainable?

The Netherlands is a big player in food production innovation.

Thinking of moving to, or just arrived in, the Netherlands?

Looking for comprehensive information about the Dutch school system?

Community & Media Partners Our community partner groups and initiatives are listed below for additional support and information. Looking for something else, missing your community? Get in touch with our Helpdesk so we can help you further. • American Women's Club of The Hague • Amsterdam Mamas • Broadcast Amsterdam • Delft MaMa • Dutch BuzZ • DutchNews • ExpatINFO Holland • Expatriate Archive Centre • Expats Utrecht • Expat Republic • Families in Global Transition • Here in Holland • i am not a tourist (IANAT) bv • IamExpat • International Locals Amsterdam • M-space Graphic Designers • STET (English Theatre) • TheHagueOnline • Xpat Media

50 | ACCESS | SPRING-SUMMER 2022

Top 3 IB results in the Netherlands* Average class size 14 students Private school with 27 nationalities

“My children love going to school” 2022 NAE Parent Satisfaction Survey

*According to independent ranking of IB Schools undertaken by IB-Schools.com and Education Advisers Ltd.

LEARN MORE