Margrethe Jonkman, President of the Executive Board, gave examples of inspiring projects within VU Amsterdam in the fields of education, research, and valorisation. Eric van der Burg, former Secretary of State for Asylum and Migration, and now a VVD MP gave a keynote speech.
During his speech, he highlighted the role of young people as drivers of change. He spoke about how VU Amsterdam, originally founded for the ‘common people,’ is now a community where people from all backgrounds come together.
'VU Amsterdam is not just a small-scale society; it’s also a place where hope comes alive.' He urged embracing change by working together and listening to different viewpoints. 'Sometimes it’s better to listen than to speak loudly. Your biggest opponents can also become your greatest allies. Collaborate, reach out to others, and let your principles guide you, but be ready to make compromises and build influence to make change happen.' His words were met with a standing ovation.
There was also enthusiastic applause for our Olympians and Paralympians, and we addressed our concerns about the cuts to higher education, which have a significant impact on our students and staff, as well as on society at large.
Despite these challenges, we remain hopeful. After all, throughout our university, we see beacons of hope: from the groundbreaking research of our scientists to our teaching, which helps students find their own paths and inspires them to make a positive impact on the world around them.