A toast to a promising future during the first summer edition of Brainport New Year's meeting The New Horizon

And a promising future was exactly the subject that Koert van Mensvoort of Next Nature - the foundation that is working on making the Evoluon a public location for everyone again - addressed. After a short word of welcome by John Jorritsma in which he reflected on the recent first investments by the government to relieve the pressure on the regional housing market and the road network, Koert van Mensvoort took the stage.

Thinking about a new horizon
“In the next ten minutes, I want to take you to a new horizon,” the futurologist started his speech. “On this earth there are more patents than animal and plant species. Everyone encounters technology. And here in this region we also develop that technology. What is the future going to be like? Will we not only have electrons around us, but also in our body? Are we going to 3D print our food or drive a solar car?”

Everyone is needed to make our vision of the future come true
“Those of you who are present here undoubtedly have an image of that future, but in order to realize that I want to emphasize that we need everyone. Practically and theoretically educated, young and old with every possible background. We need a melting pot. And which location is better for this than the Evoluon? This building and countless innovations have emerged from Philips.”

“How nice would it be if everyone could have a say in the future? That is what is about to happen in the Evoluon. In 2025 there will be a revival of the Evoluon for everyone. This year on September 24th, we will start with a first exhibition called Retro Future, which focuses on timeless questions of the future that are answered time and again. Examples are: ‘how will we eat, travel and live in the future?'. In short it is about future thinking beyond the horizon. And we create that future together!”

Want to (re)experience the first summer edition of The New Horizon? Then take a look at the photos.