'Growing a better world' in South West
DATE
22 July 2024
TEXT
Jasper Gramsma
IMAGE
Brian Mul
He himself was born in green The Hague South-West. But Harry Wientjens, director cooperative Rabobank of The Hague region, is very concerned about the current situation of this power district. At the same time, he sees opportunities. "From more prosperity here, the whole city can benefit," he says.
"Daar around the corner I grew up," Harry Wientjens (48) points out from the window of a classroom of ROC Mondriaan on Meppelweg. "We lived among beautiful wide lanes and lots of trees." That space and that greenery are still there, otherwise much has changed in Den Haag Zuidwest (Bouwlust, Vrederust, Morgenstond and Moerwijk). "Today, this part of the city struggles with multi-problems: poverty, high unemployment, low school grades and a lot of crime. People here live six to seven years shorter than average. That can't be right!", the director cooperative Rabobank of The Hague region states in plain language.
In that position, but also as chairman of the Economic Board The Hague, member of the advisory board of ROC Mondriaan and Alliance puller Employment & Economy for The Hague Southwest, the Hague native aims to get this power district within the Escamp district up to speed. "But it is not about me," he stresses. "All I aim for is to make people think about the impact of broad prosperity, and that therein lies a healthy self-interest for everyone. This is in line with Rabobank's mission: 'growing a better world together'," Wientjens points out."
Welfare
Bréde prosperity, in other words. "We often look at prosperity in terms of income, gross national product and economic growth. That is too narrow," thinks Wientjens. "That's why Rabobank, together with Utrecht University, developed an indicator that also considers well-being. What is the state of health, housing, safety and social contacts, for example? If you see the enormous task in South West to ensure that its 70,000 inhabitants - mind you, that's a city like Gouda - are at The Hague's welfare average by 2040, you have to include all that in your plan."
'It's give and take, share the pain as well as the rewards'
With just a bag of money - €40 million for the South-West National Programme, €18 million from national funds and another such amount from co-financing - the need will not be met. According to Wientjens, an integrated approach is at least as important. "There is no municipality, no bank, no company that can meet these challenges alone. Logical: if you bet full on jobs without sufficient housing, you won't attract people. And vice versa, it would be a dead end here. It's give and take, share the pain and reap the rewards."
That is easier said than done. "Yes, it is a matter of a long breath," agrees Wientjens. "Always a litre of petrol rather than a full tank straight away. That starts with understanding all aspects of the issue, to avoid it becoming a project carousel that stops running when the money runs out. Fortunately, both the Economic Board and the South West Alliance include stakeholders from all sorts of quarters: housing associations, healthcare institutions, education. And at the Alliance tables, the partner council of residents and entrepreneurs from the neighbourhoods also talks."
Multiplier
From his own expertise, the business expert looks at work and income. "My belief is that work is a multiplier. It provides income security, a better self-image, structure and better housing opportunities." In Southwest, with the HagaZiekenhuis, big building plans and a hefty manufacturing industry, the opportunities are there for the taking. "Then the trick is to connect businesses and residents. For instance, we recently organised a 'do day' here, where people who have trouble applying for a job could simply show what they can do."
In developing those skills, ROC Mondriaan on Meppelweg plays a crucial role. "This is a fantastic place where people can obtain certificates in numerous fields," says Wientjens. "There are hospital beds, there is a laundrette, a shop, even a garage; all under one roof. In addition, it is a place where people can meet, an important anchor to revitalise South West. That sounds soft, but it's not: you are also just addressed here if you need to master the Dutch language better."
'People want to change, but they don't want to be changed'
The success of the initiatives aimed at revitalising South West in the coming years - 'empowering women, stimulating activity and civic engagement, and, so to speak, acquiring a Guggenheim annex as a big draw' - hinges on the will of the residents. But how do you get them on board? "That is twistedly complicated. Primary needs like a healthy home and a safe environment have to be taken care of first," admits Wientjens. "One thing is clear: people do want to change, but they don't want to be changed. Talking with them instead of about them is therefore essential."
Winner
As an example, he mentions the teaching programme 'Grip op je geld' that Rabobank developed with ROC Mondriaan. "That includes a brilliant virtual end game, a combination of Monopoly and Levensweg, in which money and luck points can be earned. Do I buy those new trainers or would I rather wait until I have enough left over and can also pay the rent? The great thing is that there is no right or wrong, students have to decide on a winner themselves. That way you create an open dialogue instead of telling them how things should and should not be done."
Rabobank developed the teaching programme 'Grip op je geld' with ROC Mondriaan.
Wientjens casts another glance at the schoolyard, where the future of South West is enjoying its break. He concludes, "If things improve in this part of the city, things will improve for all of The Hague. I call on everyone to help others and be better off themselves."
The P. Oosterleeschool in Moerwijk (also the charity of Bij Ons In De Residentie) has received a donation of seven thousand euros from the Rabo Impactfonds in 2024 from Rabobank The Hague. With that money, Bij Ons In De Residentie) hopes to improve toddlers' language and reading skills. Harry Wientjens, director cooperative Rabobank of The Hague region: 'Great to be able to contribute in this way to promoting reading skills in South-West.'
text Jasper Gramsma / image Brian Mul
He himself was born in green The Hague South-West. But Harry Wientjens, director cooperative Rabobank of The Hague region, is very concerned about the current situation of this power district. At the same time, he sees opportunities. "From more prosperity here, the whole city can benefit," he says.
"Daar around the corner I grew up," Harry Wientjens (48) points out from the window of a classroom of ROC Mondriaan on Meppelweg. "We lived among beautiful wide lanes and lots of trees." That space and that greenery are still there, otherwise much has changed in Den Haag Zuidwest (Bouwlust, Vrederust, Morgenstond and Moerwijk). "Today, this part of the city struggles with multi-problems: poverty, high unemployment, low school grades and a lot of crime. People here live six to seven years shorter than average. That can't be right!", the director cooperative Rabobank of The Hague region states in plain language.
In that position, but also as chairman of the Economic Board The Hague, member of the advisory board of ROC Mondriaan and Alliance puller Employment & Economy for The Hague Southwest, the Hague native aims to get this power district within the Escamp district up to speed. "But it is not about me," he stresses. "All I aim for is to make people think about the impact of broad prosperity, and that therein lies a healthy self-interest for everyone. This is in line with Rabobank's mission: 'growing a better world together'," Wientjens points out."
Welfare
Bréde prosperity, in other words. "We often look at prosperity in terms of income, gross national product and economic growth. That is too narrow," thinks Wientjens. "That's why Rabobank, together with Utrecht University, developed an indicator that also considers well-being. What is the state of health, housing, safety and social contacts, for example? If you see the enormous task in South West to ensure that its 70,000 inhabitants - mind you, that's a city like Gouda - are at The Hague's welfare average by 2040, you have to include all that in your plan."
'It's give and take, share the pain as well as the rewards'
With just a bag of money - €40 million for the South-West National Programme, €18 million from national funds and another such amount from co-financing - the need will not be met. According to Wientjens, an integrated approach is at least as important. "There is no municipality, no bank, no company that can meet these challenges alone. Logical: if you bet full on jobs without sufficient housing, you won't attract people. And vice versa, it would be a dead end here. It's give and take, share the pain and reap the rewards."
That is easier said than done. "Yes, it is a matter of a long breath," agrees Wientjens. "Always a litre of petrol rather than a full tank straight away. That starts with understanding all aspects of the issue, to avoid it becoming a project carousel that stops running when the money runs out. Fortunately, both the Economic Board and the South West Alliance include stakeholders from all sorts of quarters: housing associations, healthcare institutions, education. And at the Alliance tables, the partner council of residents and entrepreneurs from the neighbourhoods also talks."
Multiplier
From his own expertise, the business expert looks at work and income. "My belief is that work is a multiplier. It provides income security, a better self-image, structure and better housing opportunities." In Southwest, with the HagaZiekenhuis, big building plans and a hefty manufacturing industry, the opportunities are there for the taking. "Then the trick is to connect businesses and residents. For instance, we recently organised a 'do day' here, where people who have trouble applying for a job could simply show what they can do."
In developing those skills, ROC Mondriaan on Meppelweg plays a crucial role. "This is a fantastic place where people can obtain certificates in numerous fields," says Wientjens. "There are hospital beds, there is a laundrette, a shop, even a garage; all under one roof. In addition, it is a place where people can meet, an important anchor to revitalise South West. That sounds soft, but it's not: you are also just addressed here if you need to master the Dutch language better."
'People want to change, but they don't want to be changed'
The success of the initiatives aimed at revitalising South West in the coming years - 'empowering women, stimulating activity and civic engagement, and, so to speak, acquiring a Guggenheim annex as a big draw' - hinges on the will of the residents. But how do you get them on board? "That is twistedly complicated. Primary needs like a healthy home and a safe environment have to be taken care of first," admits Wientjens. "One thing is clear: people do want to change, but they don't want to be changed. Talking with them instead of about them is therefore essential."
Winner
As an example, he mentions the teaching programme 'Grip op je geld' that Rabobank developed with ROC Mondriaan. "That includes a brilliant virtual end game, a combination of Monopoly and Levensweg, in which money and luck points can be earned. Do I buy those new trainers or would I rather wait until I have enough left over and can also pay the rent? The great thing is that there is no right or wrong, students have to decide on a winner themselves. That way you create an open dialogue instead of telling them how things should and should not be done."
Rabobank developed the teaching programme 'Grip op je geld' with ROC Mondriaan.
Wientjens casts another glance at the schoolyard, where the future of South West is enjoying its break. He concludes, "If things improve in this part of the city, things will improve for all of The Hague. I call on everyone to help others and be better off themselves."
The P. Oosterleeschool in Moerwijk (also the charity of Bij Ons In De Residentie) has received a donation of seven thousand euros from the Rabo Impactfonds in 2024 from Rabobank The Hague. With that money, Bij Ons In De Residentie) hopes to improve toddlers' language and reading skills. Harry Wientjens, director cooperative Rabobank of The Hague region: 'Great to be able to contribute in this way to promoting reading skills in South-West.'
