Knowledge trip Rotterdam with Issuemakers
We recently went on a “knowledge trip” through Rotterdam with the entire Issuemakers team, fully completed by our colleague and Rotterdam resident Jannelieke. We would like to share which inspiring Rotterdammers we spoke with, what we learned and how the knowledge gained inspires us.
Carolien van Wersch from VoorGoed
Social entrepreneurship, impact entrepreneurship, meaningful entrepreneurship, future-proof entrepreneurship? According to Carolien van Wersch, director of VoorGoed, we can have long semantic discussions about it, but it comes down to the same thing in all cases. Entrepreneurs with a heart for society, who know how to combine making money and "doing good" and can thus have a positive impact on more than just their own business.
Social entrepreneurs – or should we better speak of entrepreneurs and anti-social entrepreneurs – are those who attach an additional purpose to the mission of their company. VoorGoed is an independent organization that promotes social entrepreneurship in Rotterdam, with the aim that social entrepreneurship is no longer the exception, but the norm!
Can we shift the norm together? What is needed for this? How can we challenge and help our clients with this (even more)?
Léon van Geest of the Rotterdam Roof Days
How can you see the space around you from a different perspective? Léon van Geest, creator and director of the Rotterdam Roof Days, actually has a very simple answer to this: go on the roof!
Roofs are unused parts of the city and that is a shame, says Léon. Roofs can be used in all kinds of ways and in this way we increase space in busy cities. He proved this year after year with his successful Dakenfestival; he built a bridge over the Coolsingel, organized concerts, yoga classes, theater plays, farmers markets and more on the roofs of Rotterdam. All intended to broaden people's perspectives and stimulate creativity.
Organizing new, exciting things can be difficult; “temporary” turned out to be one of the magic words in that process. By organizing temporary events with various parties, you open doors and perspectives. And after such a first step, the next step is sometimes easier to take. An inspiration for us, because by taking people step by step, you create involvement and open your eyes. To ultimately get people moving.
Linda Malherbe from Verhalenhuis Belvèdere
People and their stories are the common thread to achieve real connection and connections. But how do you get those stories out in a society that hardens rather than connects. According to Linda Malherbe, founder and director of Verhalenhuis Belvedère, the art of connecting is listening patiently and openly to each other's stories and taking in each story unbiased and with genuine interest.
The Story House creates real connections between people in many ways. By going into the city with a caravan/studio and collecting stories, through special exhibitions about specific groups of Rotterdammers and through their Volkskeukens. Cooking and eating connect and by tasting together you open up new opportunities to get to know each other better.
