HOLATAM - ISP Latin America’s Post

Dear network Since last year’s message led to promising partnerships, I reiterate my yearly message. Here are the projects I will be diving in this year, feel free to connect if you feel there are synergies we can create: 🌳 Book on “the environmental cost of happiness” upcoming [Fr]. I will present my book in Switzerland, France and Luxembourg, feel free to contact me if you wish to create an ad hoc event you feel is relevant [Fr] 🏥 Assessing and decreasing the environmental burden of the healthcare system in Switzerland and elsewhere, tapping into the huge amount of energy many of us put in last year [Fr/Uk] Possible connections with the people of circular economy for a center of excellence, a fruitful network.. 👩⚕️ Thinking of the well-being of the healthcare staff, in particular nurses, but also physios, physicians…[Uk] new research project, new survey, interventions… 🚶♂️ Projects on environment/health co-benefits such as green mobility. [Fr/Uk] New app-based research project on how to stimulate walking and biking. 🎨 Reflect upon indicators of environmental health. [Uk] Seminar, collective book, Combination of art and quality of life [Fr/Uk]. Expo, street art, collective book, art performance… If you feel your personal trajectory echoes one of these projects, feel free to contact me. Due to limited bandwidth (age effect? children effect? social network effect? Great acceleration effect? ), I don't always reply as quickly as I would like to, don’t hesitate to re-send your mail if I don’t respond.  More importantly, I wish us many walks, fewer cars, a step towards the discovery of our true self, a year full of learning, the possibility to write uninspiring posts and non-AI generated pictures!

This past weekend, my team at the St Andrews Africa Summit and I hosted the 10th Anniversary Summit. This was also my fourth and final summit. My first summit took place online at the peak of Covid-19 in the winter of 2021. My second summit was slow to kick-off, as our team and its network essentially completely fell off after the pandemic. My third summit was the first time I directed, alongside my co-Director Callum Macintyre. This last time around, I directed once more--but this time alongside my co-Director Cassia-Peia Douglas-Dufresne-- and it was extraordinarily special for a number of reasons. In this, our tenth year of operations, we managed to do the following: 1) Double our team's numbers 2) Triple our collaborations 3) Provide catering for our audience members 4) Build out two more teams within our committee: PR and Creative 5) Host once more one of our co-founders, Bradley K. Poku-Amankwah 6) Kick-start the SAASUM Launch dinner in the evening following the summit (hosting the summit's speakers, exec-teams of our collaborations, as well as friends and family) The best part of this summit is that the energy built-up around it provoked opportunities beyond what would usually be the concluding event in the SAASUM team's yearly agenda...In other words, we're not done. Worried my team-members might be worn from two enormous events this academic year-- between the King of Asante Keynote in the Fall, and the Winter Summit-- like always, they instead surprised me. In the next two months, my team aims to fulfill two more endeavours-- and how did they respond to this feat? With a collective, 'Ok. When do we start?' This team cares so deeply-- for each other, for what we do, and for riding out the high that has been watching enthusiasm from our peers build with each new event. St Andrews students crave a new space to learn, to connect with professionals, to engage with their peers at a more serious level, and to support student passion. Moreover, what we're finding is that we live in a students-for-students community, teaching us that when institutions lack, we cannot. It is incredible what student committees, organisations, and companies across town can accomplish, largely alone. However, when boosting each other, it is wildly apparent how increasingly ambitious our ideas become and how quickly they come to fruition. Congratulations team, you've outdone yourselves again. And our sincere gratitude and thanks to the numerous other student teams whom have helped us. As integral players in our success, we are in your corner and the achievement of your goals has become just as much a part of our mission as it is yours. #leadership #saasum #10yearanniversaryofsaasum #hiddendriversofthefuture #teamcollaboration #studentinnovation

Today is the start of FTI and& | 16 → 20 March 2024, the Leuven chapter of Flanders Technology & Innovation. We, the Flemish, just like our Wallonian & Brussels' counterparts, we are seldomly proud, we shrug our shoulders and move on to the next thing. We are often prone to easy cynicism, focusing on things that could have been better. We're - on average - not the tech enthusiasts, rather reluctant to embrace change. It's what we tell ourselves. It's my hope this week can contribute to a different story. A story where we can use technology, not as a primary goal, but as a catalyst for the inhabitants of Flanders and beyond to thrive. A story, where we realise we are all talented in our own unique way. As one of the two curators of the festival, I'm proud that thousands of people in my home town will learn about technology and science, get a brain shower, and above all have fun. Exchanging different perspectives, coming together, that's where the magic happens, that's what makes us human. If we've done our job well, people will feel a spark for a positive future. Because that's what we need and it is within reach: We're the current generations, it's in our power to be an incredible force for good for ourselves, our children and the ones that still will be born, the future generations. Yes, we face tremendous challenges and we don't know if all of our efforts will be enough, and that in itself is scary. But if we have the courage to move forward, if we don't fall for cynicism and insecurity, I believe we can thrive. That's what "FTI" has meant to me for the last year. I hope to meet you this week, here at home in Leuven or in Antwerp next Sunday. #fti #ftileuven #timeforacelebration

Back from Toulouse and I’ve officially finished my conference circuit for the year! 🌍 I’ve been fortunate to attend the "big three" international education conferences, and I can honestly say that if I could spend all day in one-on-one meetings discussing how we can send more students abroad, I absolutely would (for those who know me, this isn’t a LinkedIn flex—you know I could talk for hours!). As I reflect on my conference experiences—and with everyone sharing their post-conference posts and I have your attention—one important topic comes to mind: sustainability. Many events are taking steps to reduce their carbon emissions, but let’s face it—time, family commitments, and cost mean not everyone can take a more green approach. Not everyone can hop on a 34-hour train ride with six transfers! (yup, I checked the route between Barcelona and Gothenburg—if anyone has a better option, do share!). So, it got me thinking—what else could we be doing, maybe on a smaller, or even individual level? I thought of three practical ways we could reduce our impact at future conferences: Go Paperless 📲 – Let’s make everything digital—schedules, brochures, and business cards can be managed through apps, online platforms, QR codes, or cloud-sharing, reducing waste and simplifying access. Cut Back on Conference Swag 🎁 – Do we really need all that extra stuff? Let’s rethink giveaways and reduce unnecessary items. (But let me be clear, I’m not saying we should get rid of the little chocolates—I need those to get through the long days! 🍫) Bring Your Own Reusables ♻️ – Encourage attendees to bring their reusable water bottles, coffee cups, and canvas bags. It’s a small shift with a huge impact. We have an incredible chance to connect globally while making more sustainable choices for our planet. I’d love to hear your thoughts on how we can make this happen! Here’s a video of the Toulouse skyline at sunset from the Canadian Reception🇨🇦 #Sustainability #InternationalEducation #Conferences #StudyAbroad

We had the privilege of hearing from Lucas Hunter of B Lab, a remarkable nonprofit organisation, at the recent Planet Health Table discussion. Lucas highlighted a critical insight: “To transform the system companies understand that they must work in a collective way.” 🤝 B Lab Spain is paving the way for this transformation by creating spaces where diverse organisations can come together, connect with key stakeholders, and collaboratively drive change for #Health and the #Planet — both environmentally and socially. 🌱 One standout initiative is Barcelona + B—an alliance of businesses, educational institutions, the public sector, social and cultural entities. This alliance exemplifies Lucas and his team’s ambitious vision for a more interdisciplinary approach to tackling global challenges. 🌐 However, as Lucas pointed out, “The biggest challenge we are facing as a movement is to settle the expectation between times.”⏳ The public sector often moves slowly, taking years to implement regulations, which can be a significant hurdle for private sector initiatives. Yet, it's through these challenges that innovation thrives, as both sectors learn to work together more effectively. Let’s keep pushing forward, inspired by B Lab’s vision and commitment to collective action! 🚀 #Sustainability #Collaboration #Innovation #PublicPrivatePartnership #Sustainability #PlanetHealth Jordi Serrano Pons, Jordi Alcalà Torró, Luismi Roura, Trinidad De Frutos Herranz, Kathrine Raleigh, Manel Balcells, Michael Donaldson, Magnolia Restrepo Sánchez, Montse Guardia Guell, Claudia Fernandez de Cordoba Farini, Elena Codina, Anna Sala Cunill, Jaume Duran Navarro, Esteve Picola, Carla Oliva Morell, Sonia Hernández-Montaño Bou, Josep Maria Pique Badia, Marta Anglada Roig, Lucas Hunter, Joan Bigorra, Tim Eaves

🤝 We’ve got big news for you this week – Amsterdam Convention Bureau and Amsterdam Conference Centre Beurs van Berlage have come together to sign the new Strategic Partnership agreement. ❓What does this mean? By joining forces, we’re focusing our efforts into strengthening Amsterdam’s position as the go-to destination for innovation-driven and sustainable events. 💡 This collaboration will focus on attracting and hosting conferences with an eye for impact, and connecting them to our city’s growing business events ecosystem. And to ensure these events contribute meaningfully to the region’s societal challenges - all while supporting its economic growth. 🧩 Together, we'll be focused on bringing high-impact congresses that address key global issues - ranging from sustainability to innovations in food security, healthcare, circularity and more. Not only benefiting Amsterdam’s economic growth but also positioning the city as a global hub for knowledge and progress. So, watch this space. 👀 #StrategicPartnership #BeursVanBerlage

Health tech is gaining momentum! When (10 y ago) I was a health policy analyst and program lead at Praxis Think Tank and published the Country-wide telemedicine adoption green paper*, commissioned by Riigikantselei / Government Office of Estonia & then the number of active digital health and health tech companies could be counted with the fingers on just one hand. Our Dermtest's first start goes to that time and have to say, it was pretty lonely in the community back then, when even the definition of e-health or telemedicine was unclear for most. One could only dream of having such an ecosystem pushing the whole health innovation community forward like it is now in 2024! Company-creation is booming at all fronts with cross-country collaboration ever-present and this event is just one small example of that. From the whole pathway of innovation we have the unis of University of Tartu and TalTech – Tallinn University of Technology, where future researchers innovators and innovation-enablers emerge, with even a focused TalTech Digital Health MSc programme an MBA-like change manager builder. But there are also community and growth supporters at idea+ stage, where you get help for your health tech business development (former CHC, now Tehnopol HealthTech and newly emerged Health Founders Estonia). There is funding-appetite from courageous angel investors, who understand, why investing in health tech is important and that it can give positive returns in human life-years & life quality, but also investment. There are spin-off funds like UniTartu Ventures and health-focused or health-tech leaning VC-s like Verge HealthTech Fund or Specialist VC. Furthermore the Ministry of Social Affairs of Estonia / Sotsiaalministeerium and Tervisekassa (Estonian Health Insurance Fund) and Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications of Estonia are figuring out (and have figured out some) ways how to make innovation adoption faster with right incentives for outcome-based care, while Tervise ja Heaolu Infosüsteemide Keskus // Health and Welfare Information Systems Centre (TEHIK) enables high quality data for secondary research use, but also enables digital health companies to connect to Estonia's care pathways. Super, if not most important are also the very innovation-aware patients (and patient organisations) and the toughest role of being a health care provider (organisations and individuals), who have an increasing need and want for change, but who also know, that change is hard and one needs to set a right pace for that. List is long and does not end here. So the only thing now left for anyone, is to DO, to BUILD, to GROW. *Telemedicine strategy paper from 2014 + English summary: https://lnkd.in/d3XA2CpZ (doing the box-checking is pretty rewarding...) https://lnkd.in/dZ36aPnS

Only a 24-hour flight and a 9-hour time difference, and I’m in London 🦘✈️ 🇬🇧 This week is London Tech Week. But everything becomes instantly better when you add longevity to it. So, I’m glad Phil Newman from Longevity.Technology was able to bring longevity to the agenda and organise a conference together with Founders Forum Group. There are many excellent longevity conferences out there, but only a few are dedicated to attracting more investors to this rapidly growing field. The aim of Founders Longevity Forum is to boost global longevity investment and spark a wave of innovation and collaboration that will transform the future of human health. How? By educating and connecting investors with the vast potential within the longevity market. Why? Longevity is a mega trend. 🧬📈 This sector is projected to exceed $600 billion by 2025. Looking forward to some great conversations, inspiring sessions, and hopefully finding the secret to eternal jet lag recovery! PS Travel is fun, unless you live in Australia 😆

I recall my first day at Fachhochschule Südwestfalen. It was very chaotic. Something was happening every minute. Well, what do you want? New country - new adventures. My first day at my new place of study began at lunchtime. We were all gathered in a large hall, several hundred people who had entered the same specialty as me. I looked around with curiosity, there were new faces all around. I met some before my studies (hi, Maliha Ali), but mostly you just met some, introduced yourself, but have already forgotten their names again - too many new acquaintances at once. My classmates are from Pakistan, Bangladesh, Morocco, Japan, Tunisia, India, Uzbekistan, Congo, Vietnam, and so on. Everyone is surprised to learn how old I am and how much real work experience I have. Several times they didn’t even believe me and had to show my passport. Now we are all sitting together in a large hall and waiting for the presentation to begin. The course curators were the first to speak. They introduced us to the course, told us what would happen and how, and introduced us to the teachers and several students and teachers began organizing games to get to know each other. Small, and simple, but quite effective (although I still had a problem with names). Then a tour of the city of Soest. Not a big one, because it started to rain and we went to a beautiful restaurant, where people broke up into small tables and talked as much as they wanted. That's how my first day went. On that day there were many acquaintances with people from different continents. Different cultures, different experiences. My templates are broken in many things. Some of the conversations opened my eyes and showed me other parts of the world without going beyond my own imagination. Probably the reason I like this program is how many different people are gathered in one place. And how wonderful they all are! Do you recall the first day of your studies? Please share it in the comments!

🌟 Embrace Curiosity, Shape the Future! 🌟   In the world we live in it's easy to fall into the trap of following the mainstream. But what happens when we dare to ask questions, challenge the status quo, and think critically? Last week we had another inspiring exchange with 52 young international students from Travelling U. We talked about why it is important to always ask questions, especially about things in our lives that are considered normal. Like using toothpaste for example.   💡 Asking questions isn't just a habit; it's a superpower. It's the driving force behind innovation, progress, and positive change. By questioning, we uncover new perspectives, unearth hidden truths, and pave the way for breakthroughs that can shape a brighter tomorrow.   🌍 Moreover, being critical isn't about being negative. It's about challenging assumptions and scrutinizing information. In doing so, we not only empower ourselves but also contribute to a more informed, inclusive, and equitable society.   Thank you for joining us Travelling U. It is always our pleasure to host you. Axel Kaiser Bundesverband Nachhaltige Wirtschaft (BNW) Deutscher Nachhaltigkeitspreis Travelling U #Curiosity #CriticalThinking #QuestionToShape #Oralcare #Teethcare #Zahnmedizin #Zahnputztabletten #Naturkosmetik  #Nachhaltigkeit #enkelfähig #IloveRobert #WennRichtigSchonImmerFalschWar #WhenRightHasAlwaysBeenWrong