CoP working in Greenport Venlo (NL) to develop sustainable regional development : from conflict to common interest

This paper addresses the changing of organisations, the emergence of new partnerships, new ways of working and the new perspectives, creativeness, knowledge and meaning these changes generate. The authors use the case of the project Greenport Venlo in the Netherlands to illustrate the occurrence of a totally different way to develop innovative and sustainable goals in regional development by new partnerships

Nieuwe rollen voor het wtc-publiek. Een essay.

For a long time one has been convinced that the goal of science communication is to inform the general public. Democratic motives formed the basis of this conviction and the deficiency model acted as the theoretical framework. However, big surveys like the Eurobarometer have shown that it is difficult to reach the 'layperson'. Consequently, the course was changed to smaller, homogeneous target groups like school pupils, cardiac patients and environmentalists. After the paradigm shift in the late nineties and with the rise of constructivism and the idea of interactivity, the concept of the 'small public' became dominant, especially after Einsiedel et al. showed that nearly every scientific and technological dilemma creates its own public, often with a different composition. But probably more interesting than the size of the public is its new role. From the perspective of an increasing interaction between science and society, publics are acting more and more as stakeholders and experts by experience. The 'science and technology' public is no longer only a receiver of information, but also a participant in the communication process. Science and technology communication as an interface between science and society is broadened from a (top down) media-activity to an interactive activity, in which meaning is co-created. The participants are no longer representatives of an idea or group, but individuals with their own views, experiences and beliefs, who contribute to the creation of new ideas

Horizontalisering in de praktijk : Greenport Venlo als regionaal ontwikkelingsproces

In de ‘Nota Ruimte’ (Ministeries van VROM, LNV, VenW en EZ, 2006) is de regio Venlo aangewezen als Greenport. Het Rijk vindt het van belang dat het internationale tuinbouwcluster behouden blijft en versterkt wordt. Sindsdien, en voortbouwend op eerdere ontwikkelingen, heeft zich in de regio een innovatief proces voltrokken van betekenis en uitvoering geven aan Greenport. Hiermee is het Greenport begrip in de regio rondom Venlo opgerekt van implementatie van een glastuinbouwopgave naar een regionale ontwikkelingsopgave, waarin kwaliteit van leven, kennis en innovatie, duurzaamheid en samenwerken tussen verschillende actoren centraal staat. De verschillende actoren worden in de regio inmiddels aangeduid met de 5O’s: ondernemers, onderzoekers, overheden, onderwijs en omgeving. In het Greenport netwerk geven deze actoren samen vorm en inhoud aan het regionale ontwikkelingsproces

Research and Innovation As a Catalyst For Food System Transformation

Background Food systems are associated with severe and persistent problems worldwide. Governance approaches aiming to foster sustainable transformation of food systems face several challenges due to the complex nature of food systems. Scope and approach In this commentary we argue that addressing these governance challenges requires the development and adoption of novel research and innovation (R&I) approaches that will provide evidence to inform food system transformation and will serve as catalysts for change. We first elaborate on the complexity of food systems (transformation) and stress the need to move beyond traditional linear R&I approaches to be able to respond to persistent problems that affect food systems. Though integrated transdisciplinary approaches are promising, current R&I systems do not sufficiently support such endeavors. As such, we argue, we need strategies that trigger a double transformation – of food systems and of their R&I systems. Key Findings and Conclusions Seizing the opportunities to transform R&I systems has implications for how research is done – pointing to the need for competence development among researchers, policy makers and society in general – and requires specific governance interventions that stimulate a systemic approach. Such interventions should foster transdisciplinary and transformative research agendas that stimulate portfolios of projects that will reinforce one another, and stimulate innovative experiments to shape conditions for systemic change. In short, a thorough rethinking of the role of R&I as well as how it is funded is a crucial step towards the development of the integrative policies that are necessary to engender systemic change – in the food system and beyond

Research and Innovation Supporting the Farm to Fork Strategy of the European Commission

The EU Think Tank (as part of the FIT4FOOD2030 Coordination andSupport Action) strongly supports the development of the Farm toFork Strategy as a key component of the European Green Deal,recognising the need to transform the food system as a whole