Legacy Project

De bezoekers van internationale congressen, in dit geval de ESPCI, wordt gevraagd een donatie te doen. Dit geld wordt geïnvesteerd in groen-blauwe schoolpleinen, die er ondermeer voor zorgen dat de stad leefbaar blijft en klaar is voor een toekomst met een veranderd klimaat.

We, as ESPCI, believe that the value of an international congress in a city should surpass the typical measurement of economic benefits. The unity and knowledge-sharing among the international community can be utilized to create a positive impact on the local population, while also shedding light on common challenges faced by various cities and communities. On the occasion of the ESPCI congress in Rotterdam, the goal of making a difference in the daily life of Rotterdammers led to adoption and expansion of the city’s Collaboration for Change framework. Together with the city’s “Rotterdam Gaat voor Groen” (Rotterdam Goes for Green) team, we have connected the power of the congress to support specific greening efforts, resulting in a mutually beneficial scenario where the congress achieves CO₂ offset goals while Rotterdammers enjoy a greener environment.

By allocating contributions from the congress, we will focus on implementing greening projects in Rotterdam-West. Two playgrounds will be transformed into “blue-green” spaces, and in one instance, a school playground will be enhanced with cherry and walnut trees that will contribute to the school’s curriculum and provide additional value. The impact will be measured not only by the square meters and number of trees but also by the demographics of the area.

New research suggests that green playgrounds are more inclusive for deaf and hard-of-hearing children at school. On one hand, this is because playing in a green playground offers a different experience compared to a concrete schoolyard. On the other hand, the acoustics of the playground are better suited for their needs. This is excellent news, as it further emphasizes the importance of creating these green playgrounds, especially in the context of the ESPCI congress.

But it was equally important to raise awareness for the pediatric patients within our community. We aimed to foster a deeper understanding of the challenges they encounter and promote recognition and acceptance of children wearing cochlear implants. To achieve this, a portrait exhibition by photographer Jessica van der Mast was showcased at Rotterdam Central Station. These portraits not only celebrate the unique beauty of each child but also showcase the artistry behind the technology that enables them to thrive in their daily lives. The exhibition is free accessible from 30 May until 13 June.

The concept for this exhibition has been added to the city’s Collaboration for Change framework, which has the ambition to “Change Minds, Change the City, Change the World” and achieve a resilient future for all by addressing societal challenges. From the state of our city to the status of our citizens, we hope that this ESPCI legacy project will serve as a catalyst to achieve more, sooner.

Special thanks to Rotterdam Partners and the City of Rotterdam.