Eindhoven mayor Dijsselbloem addresses business on social function: 'Things have to be different here than in Silicon Valley'
Dijsselbloem called on companies to do so during a New Year's speech at the Evoluon. ''The success of this region is only complete if all its inhabitants can join in and benefit,'' he said. Dijssselbloem underlined once again that the Eindhoven region has developed into one of the main engines of the Dutch economy. "That is great, but it also presents us with great challenges."
Fighting illiteracy
Preventing employees from falling into debt, fighting illiteracy, homework help and utilizing talent were examples he mentioned. ,,Our region is doing very well economically and offers incredible opportunities. At the same time, due to successive crises, the number of people with serious financial problems is growing. Problems also occur among your own employees," he told the top of the regional business community at the New Year's meeting of the Brainport Foundation.
The well-known American tech region of Silicon Valley was mentioned by the PvdA mayor as a specter. ,,There the trees grow to the sky. But housing there has become unaffordable, the area is built up and the region has become unlivable and inaccessible for many people. Let's learn from that and take charge. We are going to do things differently here. To ensure that we remain one community. Just as we built our economy together, we must also shape our social agenda together."
'Brainport for Each Other' is the name of the new social agenda. Companies can participate with expertise, brainpower, volunteers and money. Help with the reception of refugees is mentioned as one of the examples in a folder that was handed out on Tuesday. The libraries' initiative against low literacy is also mentioned as an example of how residents can participate fully in society.
As chairman of the Brainport Foundation, the Eindhoven mayor himself wants to meet twice a year with a reflection of the companies, schools and civil society organizations to discuss the most important social questions that should be prioritized.
