The Next Economy: Multi-Cultural, Innovative and Green

“An international conference and dialogue between leaders in the Hudson Valley and the Netherlands, to address shared challenges in sustainability, social integration and cultivating the next generation of professionals.”   

Poughkeepsie, NY—Hudson Valley Community leaders partnered with Dutch visitors are set to host an interactive conference titled “The Next Economy: Multi-Cultural, Innovative and Green” on Saturday Oct. 10, 2009 at Vassar College, Rockefeller 300, Raymond Avenue, Poughkeepsie from 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

This international meeting will address issues at the intersection of economic, social and environmental sustainability, with a focus on creating a knowledge economy by capitalizing on ethnic and cultural diversity, promoting entrepreneurship, and using environmental challenges as a springboard for innovation. The exchange of best practices and challenges between the two regions will benefit civic leaders, community/organizers, business owners, entrepreneurs, students and educators. The confeence is designed to generate strategies and partnerships for action.   

The one day public conference is part of an invitational four day symposium, beginning October 8, that delves more deeply into the issues of diversity and consensus building with site visits to model businesses, a dialogue workshop and a theatre performance. Both conference speakers and symposium participants will be available for scheduled press interviews in advance and throughout the weekend.  

The confirmed speaker line-up features:

Huib van Santen, Director of VAZO (the main business association of South East Amsterdam , promoting a “cradle to cradle” zero waste approach among 400 companies);

Yvonne Bleize, the Executive Director of the Cartesius Institute which researches and develops new products and services in the area of energy, water and spatial quality; see: http://www.promotingsustainableinnovations.com/

Susan Jones, professor of Clinical Law and Director of Small Business and Urban Community Development Clinic at George Washington University Law School;

and Gavin McIntyre, Chief Scientist at Ecovative Design, LLC., a company of recent RPI graduates producing bio-based packaging and insulation materials. 

see: http://www.ecovativedesign.com/

“For nearly a year, we have been identifying the brightest lights in sustainability on both shores, from a human and economic as well as environmental point of view,” said Sustainable Hudson Valley’s Executive Director, Melissa Everett.  “it is clear that each side has a great deal to teach the other, from Dutch bicycle transportation to  American  grassroots social movements.”  The host committee also includes Poughkeepsie Quadricentennial Chair Nancy Cozean, Jolanda Jansen, P.E. of Jansen Engineering and Dutch guests Roel Geuzinge and Thea Groeneveld, management consultants who have worked extensively with issues of cultural diversity and community development. This event has year-long roots through visits to the Netherlands by Everett and Jansen, and visits to the US by Geuzinge and Groeneveld,  who brought 50 representatives from Amsterdam to study New York City’s innovative park development and will deliver a new bicycle designed for the Walkway over the Hudson opening on Oct. 3, 2009.   

“During the 2009 Quadricentennial, it has become more clear that we share a common heritage with the Dutch and that they possess a wealth of sustainable living experience to share with Hudson Valley business and civic leaders,” said Jansen, who recently toured the Netherlands forging connections for the project. 

The public conference admission is $35.00.  however, the first 50 college and high school students who register, are invited free of charge. All participants are required to register at this link (www.sustainhv.org and nycharities.org) and registration will be open through close of business October 6, 2009.