What is the Workforce about? 
What kind of organisation is the Workforce?
The Student Workforce for Sustainability and Development is a non-governmental inter-disciplinary study association. We engage ourselves in activities focusing on issues of sustainability, development, intercultural dialogue, and quality of life.
How came the Workforce into action?
It was inspired by the ideas of the foundation DemoTech, which is leaded by Reinder van Tijen. DemoTech promotes appropriate technology, which technology is designed to suit the needs of the people that use it and not exploiting resources in a way that future generations will be harmed. For this reason, it should be built with local materials and local capacity. A couple of students regularly visited the DemoTech’s lab in the Landbouwbelang. They got inspired by Reinders sustainable designs, like the ‘ropepump’. Reinder was pleased to exchange his ideas with this upcoming generation. He initiated together with interested students the plan to set up the Student Workforce. Slowly, this came into existing. The Workforce is a formal association since March 2006 with a board and working groups.
What is so special about the Workforce?
We are open for people from different disciplines and cultures. We hope in this way to create a multi-disciplinary research environment in which we are able to mutually learn from each other. Learning at the Workforce happens in two ways: practically and theoretically. On one hand we do hands on projects in which we construct DemoTech designs to experience what the idea behind these constructions is. On the other hand, we have critical constructive discussions, what the right path is for development in the world.
Mutual learning is not restricted to verbal conversations during activities. We are able to collect our communication thoroughly by use of our Wiki webpage, in which every member can add his own views, announcements and tips for other members. In this way we create an open source for communication.
What kind of activities does the Workforce have?
Every week, there are activities organized by the members of the Workforce. These activities have a good mix of fun and seriousness. Central are the Friday evenings in the Landbouwbelang, which are characterized by games, videos, practical workshops and discussions, open to every student. There is always a dinner prepared at the end of every session to have the chance to socialize with members and newcomers. In addition, there are hands on projects, visits to festivals, discussion evenings and other activities organized on own initiative of the members.
What is the potential of the Workforce?
We believe that through collectively sharing of knowledge a stimulating environment for sustainable innovation will come into being. An environment in which you as a human being dare to look ‘outside the box’, an environment which creates a real opportunity for solutions of pressing societal problems. Making a difference in higher education and society of Maastricht is our starting point.
Why is the Workforce relevant for me?
The Workforce is the ultimate combination of having a good time with fellow students and building up a critical view upon developments in the world. We as an organization give you the opportunity to extend your own interests in development related issues. You can interact with fellow students from different backgrounds and mutually learn and have fun with each other. You are free to do this in your own way. We have several Working groups, which have a certain topic focus. You can join them voluntary. Within the Workforce you can take up responsibilities, were you see them as necessary.
So, overall: Why should I come to the Fridays in the Landbouwbelang?
- To seriously discuss stuff that might be relevant for your study and the society around you.
- To see and hear about the innovating technologies of DemoTech
- To have fun and a nice dinner with people from different backgrounds
- To come into contact with people of Working Groups
- To get an even more thorough introduction on what the Workforce is about and how our Wikipage works
The Student Workforce:You can take it as serious as you like and make as much fun as you wish!
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About the Workforce