Civil society organizations in conversation about
Brainport for each other
Children with a language disadvantage, parents with money worries or people who cannot find a job despite the many vacancies. Not everyone benefits from the success of the Brainport region. That is exactly why the program bureau 'Brainport for each otheris committed to equal opportunities for all. To achieve that, this partnership combines the forces of industry, governments, knowledge institutions and civil society organizations. On May 9, more than 50 social organizations discussed this at Summa College in Eindhoven.
'Many people only wonder at the end of their lives if they have been significant enough to another person. You already are.' Speaking is, Laurent de Vries, chairman of Summa College's Board of Trustees. As host of this meeting, he kicks off the presentation and speaks full of admiration to the caregivers present. He is pleased that so many social initiatives have signed up. 'Because,' he explains. 'Every day you see up close what problems there are and what is needed. That is why you are indispensable within this partnership.'
Looking differently
Then Janneke van Kessel, city envoy to the Municipality of Eindhoven, takes over the microphone. In her role, she is administratively responsible for Brainport for each other. 'Equal opportunities and a stable basis: that's where it starts.' But there is still much to be gained there, according to Van Kessel. 'For example, you still see children from vulnerable backgrounds not getting the same opportunities as other children,' she says. 'And as a mother, I see from close up that children in special education quickly fall by the wayside. There are plenty of other examples like that. I find that disturbing and painful, especially in a prosperous region like this one. That is why it is important that we pay attention to this together. Today the starting shot sounds to realize, in addition to an economic, also a social Brainport agenda. This will contain exactly how we can strengthen each other. Today is the start to give shape to that.
Themes
To gather clear and organized input, the group is split after the presentation. Jacline de Kort, manager at Brainport for each other, explains. "In order to keep an overview, we first focus on four themes within Brainport for each other: Basic skills (e.g. low literacy, digital skills), Security of existence (money worries, unused potential), Living together in Brainport (how do you let everyone participate?) and Positive health (happiness at work, vitality). The input thus serves as the basis for the social agenda. And besides that, new themes came to light that afternoon.
The first reactions to this meeting, and to Brainport for each other, are positive. Jans van de Ven of network organization Stichting Anders Eindhoven is also enthusiastic. 'I am especially looking forward to the phase when it will become more concrete: how we will reap the benefits. I hope we will know how to find each other better through this mega-sized network.'
Geertje de Kort of the Municipality of Helmond also clearly sees the added value of Brainport for each other. In Helmond we are always looking for stories from experts by experience. We can come up with great plans for people with money worries, but how does it really feel when you can't make ends meet? What can we do to help you? It is great that we will soon be able to share that information with each other. We don't all have to reinvent the wheel.
Ons-kent-ons
Janneke concludes: 'Here in the Brainport region there really is an ons-kent-ons atmosphere. That is very unique.' She emphasizes: 'There really is an eye for each other. So if there is anywhere you can achieve a lot together, it is here. Now it is just beginning, the social agenda has to take shape. For this we (the business community, governments, knowledge institutes and social organizations) have to keep talking to each other.
This meeting was a first of several that will follow in the Brainport region.
Photography: Charlotte Grips
