Disillusioned with the current state of division at work, in politics, in your community or in your personal life? Our present-day society is driven by a deep fear of differences, feelings of disconnection, silo working and ‘safe’ bubbles. However, as social creatures, we’re hardwired to care, love and form relationships. We have a deep need for bonding and belonging.
So how can we lean into our need for bonding and connection while also celebrating our differences? How can we start reversing the current divisions that define our societies, organisations and communities and strive for peace, unity and true cooperation at all times?
Join my upcoming FREE event – ‘𝐕𝐞𝐫𝐛𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠’: 𝐓𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 & 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤 𝐃𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐚 𝐒𝐲𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐠𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐜 𝐌𝐨𝐝𝐞𝐥 – on 30 October at Academiegebouw in Utrecht or online to explore a synergy-based model that can be used to bridge the gap between different groups and points of view at work (across sectors) as well as in your personal life and your community.
𝐀𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐦𝐞 – 𝐒𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐲𝐞 𝐃𝐞𝐡𝐛𝐚𝐧 (𝐰𝐰𝐰.𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐧.𝐜𝐨𝐦/𝐢𝐧/𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐲𝐞𝐝𝐞𝐡𝐛𝐚𝐧)
As a researcher, politician, consultant, activist, citizen and mother, my core question (and mission) is: What do we need in order to build a world with personal freedom of choice, equality of opportunity and the ability for people to thrive – all of this balanced with a responsibility to contribute to the collective good?
This is far from an easy question. However, through my PhD research and my work with civil society organisations and political institutions as well as by rebuilding my life in exile and developing a thriving community, I’ve created a synergistic model to replace the current division-driven models.
My model proposes a nexus approach that helps connect seemingly unrelated ideas and creates coalitions of unlikely allies. It stands on balance, harmony and tolerance for ambivalence and can be applied in academic, political, business and community settings alike.
𝐉𝐨𝐢𝐧 𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐬𝐲𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐠𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐜 𝐦𝐨𝐝𝐞𝐥:
• Get inspired by stories of how the model has been successfully applied in various areas from my own life to academic research and community building.
• Engage in warm-hearted conversations with peers from diverse backgrounds and discuss how the model can be applied to a divide you’re looking to tackle in your organisation or community.
• Get a sneak peek into the books I’m soon launching and the new chapter I’m embarking upon.
• Mingle with fellow participants while enjoying some delicious canapés and drinks in the ceremonial ambiance of Academiegebouw.
The event revolves around the theme of ‘Verbinding’ – the Dutch term for (inter)connection – and will bring together people from academia, civil society, business and the political arena.
𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐚𝐜𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐚?
Let’s discuss how academia can get closer to the public (civil society, private sector, politics, NGOs etc) in order to ensure that decision-making at all levels is informed by research and real facts. What if researchers were to be celebrated like royals and influencers?
𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐩𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐬?
Let’s explore how political parties can engage in more constructive dialogues and find ways to better work through differences of opinion. The Dutch polder model has worked so far but the decreasing trust in political institutions requires it to be revisited and perhaps upgraded. What if a model of compromise were to be replaced by one of synergy?
𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐚 𝐟𝐨𝐫-𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐟𝐢𝐭 𝐨𝐫 𝐧𝐨𝐭-𝐟𝐨𝐫-𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐟𝐢𝐭 𝐬𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫?
Let’s revisit our roles and responsibilities so that we can drive sustainable change. The private sector, civil society, government and academia need to develop solutions together. The People, Planet, Profit approach is becoming more prevalent. What if we replaced it with the 5Ps of the Sustainable Development Goals: People, Planet, Prosperity, Peace and Partnerships?
𝐋𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨 (𝐫𝐞)𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐨𝐫 𝐟𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐲?
Let’s acknowledge the need for de- and re-constructing our family structures. With family constructs changing, inter-generational stories forgotten, role models externalised to the media and homes being built away from our places of birth, how can we stay in touch with our roots while keeping the ability to bond in a compassionate way with our peers, no matter the differences?
Let’s come together, break the bubbles, celebrate our differences and dare to dream big.
𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦𝐦𝐞:
14:00–14:45: Registration & welcome drinks
14:45–16:00: Synergetic model presentation & group discussions
16:00–17:00 Networking over food & drinks
17:00–17:30 Wrap-up & farewell
𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐧? 30 October, 14:00–17:30 CEST
𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞? Academiegebouw in Utrecht/Livestream
Childcare facilities, free of charge, available at the location.
