The Winning Futures Sustainathon – Empowering Change Together
We are thrilled to announce the inaugural “Winning Futures Sustainathon – Empowering Change Together,” a groundbreaking initiative by DutchCham in Singapore. This exclusive event is a testament to our commitment to fostering positive change in Singapore and advancing sustainability on a global scale.
Event Details
- 🗓️ Date: 4th June
- đź“ŤVenue: Fairmont Hotel, Singapore
- 🕡 Time: 6:30 – 10:00 PM
About the Event
The objective of The Sustainathon (sustainable hackathon) is to contribute to shaping a more sustainable future for Singapore and beyond. The event will bring together influential leaders and visionaries from The Netherlands and Singapore to address pressing sustainability challenges. Through a mini-hackathon across 5 pivotal sustainability topics, the event aims to inspire actionable solutions and ignite the spark for transformative change. At the heart of this event lies a deep-rooted desire to catalyze meaningful impact in Singapore’s sustainability landscape. By leveraging the collective expertise and innovative spirit of our participants, we aim to spearhead initiatives that will leave an indelible mark on sustainability efforts in the region.
The Sustainathon will consist of 5 challenges. Every table will brainstorm about 1 of those challenges. DutchCham assigns you and your partners to a table with fellow peers, so that each table consists of an interesting and varied audience.
Agenda
6:30 – 7:00 PM: Walk-in and Networking
7:00 – 7:10 PM: Opening remarks Moderator
7:10 – 7:30 PM: Keynote Vincent Karremans, Deputy Major of Rotterdam
7:30 – 8:30 PM: First round of Sustainathon
8:30 – 8:45 PM: Small break
8:45 – 9:30 PM: Second round of Sustainathon + Wrap-up
9:30 – 10:00 PM: Networking
Keynote Speaker
Vincent Karremans
Vice Mayor of Rotterdam, the Netherlands
Vincent Karremans is a Rotterdam Vice Mayor on behalf of the liberal People’s Party for Freedom and Democracy (in Dutch: VVD). He is responsible for Enforcement, Public Space and Transport.
Vincent Karremans (1986) moved to Rotterdam in 2005 to study economics and law at Erasmus University. In his student days, he co-founded a successful innovative online career platform for students, young professionals and employers, and expanded it internationally.
Karremans has been a member of the municipal council since 2018 and was involved with safety and tackling (subversive) crime. He works as a volunteer for Erasmus MC. He is Chairman of the ‘AYA task force’ there. This group of experts is committed to improving informal care for young cancer patients aged 18 to 35.
Moderator
Eelke Kroes
Innovation and Business Design Strategist @ Innoboost
Meet Eelke Kroes, our seasoned hackathon moderator for the night! With a wealth of experience in leading hackathons, Eelke will kickstart our event by outlining the hackathon process and ensuring everyone is primed to generate innovative ideas. His expertise will guide us through brainstorming sessions, ensuring every participant’s voice is heard, and elucidating how we’ll transform these ideas into impactful solutions.
The Sustainathon
The Sustainathon will consist of 5 challenges. There will be 1 challenge per table. DutchCham assigns you and your partners to a table with fellow peers, so that each table consists of an interesting and varied audience.
Challenge 1: Inclusivity. Inclusivity is crucial for fostering a society where everyone, regardless of gender, health, or background, can thrive. By aligning with Sustainable Development Goals 3, 5, and 10, we aim to address health, gender, and social inequalities. In the Netherlands, over 81% of women aged 25-64 are employed, while Singapore boasts a healthcare system ranking 6th globally. By exchanging experiences, both nations can enhance gender equality and healthcare accessibility, fostering environments where all individuals can thrive.
Keng Ling Ng, Founder of Cynergy-Inc Consulting, specializes in fostering inclusive cultures and building synergistic relationships. With nearly 20 years in finance, including leadership at Challenger Funds Management (Asia) and OCBC, she leverages her corporate background to unlock diversity’s potential. A graduate of Nanyang Technological University and holder of a Tsinghua-INSEAD EMBA, she’s also a member of the Institute of Singapore Chartered Accountants. Ling’s passion lies in helping organizations harness diversity for success.
Challenge 2: Biodiversity. Biodiversity, essential for life below water (SDG 14) and on land (SDG 15), is the cornerstone of a healthy ecosystem. With over 33% of marine fish stocks overexploited and deforestation rates continuing to rise, urgent action is needed. Protecting and restoring biodiversity is crucial for sustaining life and preserving the natural world for future generations.
Jair Smits, Managing Director at Witteveen+Bos South-East Asia, oversees Singapore operations with a focus on engineering consulting services such as Digital Construction, Environmental Engineering, and Climate Mitigation. He chairs the Singapore-Netherlands Water House and leads the Smart+Healthy City consulting group, advocating for sustainable urban development. With a background in Water Resources Management and international experience, Jair excels in creative leadership, project management, and bridging science with practical applications in urban development and water management. Passionate about sustainability and digitization, he enjoys coaching colleagues and students.
Challenge 3: Energy Resources. Energy resources are pivotal for sustainable development, intertwining with clean water and sanitation (SDG 6) and affordable, clean energy (SDG 7). With 90% of Singapore’s water demand met through desalination and recycled water, and the Netherlands generating over 26% of its electricity from renewable sources, collaboration between these nations can yield innovative solutions.
Sheela Ramlee from Just Add Water is recognized for her skills as a change agent with extensive experience in the energy and mining sectors. She excels as a team facilitator for large groups, adept at analyzing issues, improving processes, and implementing initiatives to boost efficiency and enhance projects. Recently, Sheela achieved the Advanced Certificate in Learning and Performance, enabling her to provide innovative blended learning solutions. She effectively collaborates with clients and participants from diverse backgrounds, managing relationships across organizational functions to drive impactful results.
Challenge 4: Climate Resilience. Climate resilience, encompassing responsible consumption (SDG 12) and climate action (SDG 13), is critical for safeguarding our planet’s future. By promoting sustainable practices and reducing carbon footprints, we can mitigate the impact of climate change and build resilient communities. Embracing these goals is key to ensuring a sustainable and thriving environment for generations to come.
Lieke Rijken is a senior sustainability consultant at Innoboost focusing on building circular value propositions. She has extensive experience at corporates in Europe and Asia’s Food, Energy and Consumer Goods industry. Her last project was launching a new green energy concept for Ikea. At Innoboost they support companies in their transition towards circular business innovation, from roadmaps for a sustainable strategy to new sustainable offers.
Challenge 5: Urbanization. Urbanization, intersecting with decent work and economic growth (SDG 8), industry, innovation and infrastructure (SDG 9) and sustainable cities and communities (SDG 11), presents both challenges and opportunities. By fostering innovation in urban planning, promoting inclusive economic growth, and investing in sustainable infrastructure, we can create vibrant, resilient cities that offer decent livelihoods and enhance the quality of life for all residents.
Karen Smits (Ph.D) is a qualified organisational anthropologist with 15 years of experience in People and Culture. Genuinely curious about how individuals give meaning to their work and sustainability, Karen’s assertiveness enables her to challenge people to rethink conventional work practices and promote innovative approaches in the work environment. Karen’s international track record includes designing and facilitating leadership development programs and culture transformation initiatives, leveraging the arts and theater to inspire change. At Just Add Water, she crafts immersive learning experiences for clients worldwide, empowering them to thrive in the dynamic world of work. Committed to fostering social equity and environmental stewardship, Karen’s work exemplifies her dedication to creating inclusive and vibrant communities on a global scale.
Tickets
Want to be part of this movement? Contribute to the solutions of the future? Connect with other professionals and likeminded people? We’d love to welcome you at this event on June 4!
You can buy the following tickets online:
- Individual member ticket: $125
- Individual non-member ticket: $150
- Table (8 seats): $750 (that’s a 25% discount per seat!)
If you are interested in buying a table (8 seats), please email us to make this happen.
Conditions:
- You cannot indicate which topic you want to work on. DutchCham will assign all applicants to a certain topic.
- If your party is larger than 3 persons, we’ll divide your group across the tables to ensure diversity at each table and give you more networking opportunities during the event.
- Food and drinks will be provided by Fairmont Hotel, but will not be a sit-down dinner.
We thank our sponsors for supporting The Winning Futures:
* Please note that there is a cancellation policy: tickets cannot be refunded unless the event is officially cancelled by DutchCham.
** If you register for this event, you agree that any photographs or video’s made during the event can be shared for promotional reasons.
Organizer
DUTCHCHAM
Email: info@dutchcham.sg
Website: www.dutchcham.sg
