Panel discussion Less is More at Royal Industrial Grand Club

The panel discussion ‘Less is More; groene groei biedt kansen’ I organized at the Royal Industrial Grand Club on the Dam in Amsterdam on the 23rd of  October was a great success. “I believe that sustainability is a broad concept. Each individual has its own share and responsibility. That’s why I invited diverse speakers to share their vision.”

It was a great event and I truly enjoyed it. People were put in motion. You felt everyone’s enthusiasm. And that’s wonderful to see and be part of  something I initiated.

Times are changing. Sharing is the norm and waste recycling is the most normal thing in the world. We are moving from “ego thinking” to “we do.” How can companies contribute to this trend? That was the theme of this meeting.

Under the inspiring leadership of moderator Lynsey Dubbeld (trend analyst specializing in sustainable fashion and author of ‘Fashion for Tomorrow’) three different speakers gave their own view on how companies in line with the theme “Sustainability” can contribute to economic , ecological and social progress of the economy and society.

Speakers were Alfred Gerits, Hasmik Matevosyan and Bèr Sweering. Bèr Sweering provides innovative waste treatment technologies, solves drainage problem of millions of tons of manure in the Netherlands and invests in new technologies. Bèr called on the European Union through legislation to enforce CO2 reduction. Hasmik Matevosyan is author of the book Paradigm shift in fashion. Hasmik indicates that 30% of the production of clothing is not sold at all and 40% of the production is sold during sales. “In order to have a good business model, prices of clothing are high. So there must be a better business model,” said Hasmik. Alfred Gerits, author of the book “Illusion of Truth” documented the philosophical side, with an emphasis on personal sustainability. Alfred believes in a different distribution of money and interests.

In the great hall of the Royal Industrial Grand Club with classical elements and detailing, panel speakers and participants exchanged ideas. Fascinating questions and comments flew across the room, which was very lively. Sometimes it was paradoxical. For example, professor Marco Mossinkoff made statements like ‘fashion is waste’ and ‘sustainability does not exist‘. Another position was particularly interesting, from intercultural expert Huib Wursten: “sustainability depends on the country and the culture in which you live, so you can not apply sustainability the same way everywhere.“