The MEN4DEM project was truly kick-started with an immersive and engaging three-day gathering on the Dutch island of Terschelling on January 24–27. Participating academics, activists and actors came together to get to know each other, the aims of the program and to initiate the co-creation process together.
“inspiring and a little daunting—but in a good way”
Over the days, we listened, learned, reflected and discussed. There were exercises, post-its, flipcharts, movements. Participants answered mini-surveys, wrote reflections in diaries, and took notes. We voiced our concerns, assessed risks and visualized opportunities for the future. We shared walks on the island, dinner discussions and laughs over drinks. We bounced ideas, created new characters, identified points of confusion and concretized plans.
Participants reflected that it was “a weekend full of learning in a stimulating yet safe atmosphere” and “inspiring and a little daunting—but in a good way”. One person summarized the kick-off as “bridging diverse perspectives by creating a shared framework for collaboration and for social change”.
In short, when we left the island of Terschelling on Monday morning, MEN4DEM existed—as a joint ambition, as a collective of individuals, and as plan for the years ahead.
