Communication and the triple helix

In the past lessons you have learned about the water themes, the responsible organizations and the underlying laws and regulations. It is important that we continue to work with the same commitment in the future on water safety and clean and sufficient water. As a result of climate change, water problems are becoming increasingly complex: we will have even more extremes in rain and heat, sea levels will continue to rise, and in addition to our own water, we will also have to drain water from peak showers in Germany and Belgium via the Rhine in the future and the Meuse. In short: there is still work to be done on the water, and the challenges are increasing. In order to continue to solve these more complex problems in the future, smart ideas and new techniques are needed. Start-ups and young professionals are already working on this. But today’s children must also be prepared for this. We call this attention to sufficient professionals the ‘human capital agenda’. In other words: thinking together about sufficient human capital in the future. Schools, government and the business community have an important role to play in this. Together we call these three groups the ‘triple helix’. This is depicted in the logo of the Dutch Wavemakers: the triangle stands for the triple helix, the three waves for the themes safe-sufficient-clean. In your work as a DWM you work fully with the triple helix. With the water lab and guest lessons you help to convey the message of our partners to the students. As a discussion leader at events, you talk to representatives of companies, schools and government about their role in waterworks and the human capital agenda. You are not alone in this. The Netherlands has Centers of Expertise. They combine expertise from education, research, governments and companies. The Top Sector Water is also committed to the human capital agenda, as are organizations such as Wetsskills, TEP, Nuffic and the Union of water boards. They are all committed to well-trained professionals in the future. They are therefore all partners of Dutch Wavemakers.