With the appointment of Vincent van Rijswijk, the Economic Board The Hague (EBTH) strengthens its expertise at the intersection of healthcare, innovation and regional employment. As a member of the Executive Board (CFO) of Haga Hospital, Vincent brings a wealth of experience from the healthcare sector. Within EBTH, he is committed to ensuring accessible healthcare across the region through innovation and smart collaboration.
Specialist healthcare and regional impact
As a board member, Vincent is responsible for the finance and operations portfolios within this leading teaching hospital. With more than 5,000 employees, Haga Hospital is a major employer in the region. The hospital’s four key areas of focus are the Heart Centre, Juliana Children’s Hospital, Thoracic Oncology, and Haemato-Oncology, all of which are at the forefront of medical and nursing innovation.
Background
Vincent has an extensive background in healthcare. Before joining Haga Hospital in 2024, he held a variety of senior leadership positions across the healthcare sector. Within EBTH, Vincent represents the broader healthcare domain, with a particular focus on the connections between healthcare, education, employment and AI-driven innovation.
Vincent van Rijswijk:“Throughout my career, I have consciously chosen to work in healthcare, alongside dedicated colleagues who strive every day to support those who need it most. I now want to apply the experience I have gained more broadly to the community where I live and work.”
The ambition: closing the care gap through innovation
The challenges facing the Hague region are clear: an ageing population is driving a sharp increase in demand for healthcare, while the labour market remains historically tight.
“We share a collective responsibility to keep healthcare accessible and affordable for our residents, while also ensuring the sector remains an attractive place to work for healthcare professionals. To accelerate progress, we must fully embrace digital healthcare and AI-driven innovation. At Haga Hospital, we are already advancing these developments together with our partners, and I intend to bring that collaborative approach to EBTH. Only through close cooperation can we safeguard healthcare for the future.”
With a record number of visitors and a strong focus on the future, The Hague Inspires celebrated its fifth edition at the World Forum The Hague on Friday. What began as an event centred on inspiration and knowledge-sharing has grown into an annual occasion where The Hague comes together to look ahead.
The anniversary edition revolved around the theme “Moving Forward Together”. Entrepreneurs, public leaders, educational institutions and public-sector organisations explored the opportunities and challenges surrounding artificial intelligence, cyber resilience, labour market development and purpose-driven entrepreneurship. “This theme is not only about growth or economic development. It is about connection. About building bridges between people. Whatever role has brought you here today, none of us can do it alone. The major challenges of our time require collaboration,” said Harry Wientjens, Chair of the Economic Board The Hague.
Topics
Throughout the afternoon, visitors were able to take part in a range of insightful sessions addressing the societal and economic issues affecting businesses and organisations today. Topics included the impact of AI on work and organisations, the labour market of 2050, digital security, and skills-based workforce development. Practical subjects such as online visibility, accessibility and entrepreneurship in a rapidly changing economy were also explored in depth.
The sessions were led by experts from the business community, educational institutions and government, providing attendees with valuable insights and practical perspectives on the challenges and opportunities ahead.
Public-Private Collaboration on The Hague’s Key Challenges
During the so-called The Hague Roundtables, representatives from businesses, knowledge institutions and government organisations came together to discuss the future of the region. Organisations including Shell, ANWB, TNO and Randstad, alongside the Mayor of The Hague, exchanged insights on innovation, human capital and economic development.
The discussions highlighted the importance of collaboration in addressing the region’s most pressing challenges and identifying opportunities to strengthen The Hague’s economic resilience and long-term competitiveness.
Artificial Intelligence ontwikkelt zich in hoog tempo en heeft steeds meer impact op organisaties, werk en talentontwikkeling. Banen veranderen, functies verdwijnen en nieuwe vaardigheden worden essentieel. Juist daarom bracht de Economic Board The Hague op woensdag 20 mei bedrijven, onderwijsinstellingen en overheden samen tijdens de exclusieve Board Circle AI in de Innovation Playground van De Haagse Hogeschool.
De bijeenkomst, georganiseerd in samenwerking met het HAAI Campus-initiatief, stond volledig in het teken van samenwerking: hoe zorgen we er als regio gezamenlijk voor dat organisaties én medewerkers kunnen inspelen op de razendsnelle ontwikkelingen rondom AI?
Tijdens interactieve gesprekken deelden werkgevers, kennisinstellingen en publieke partners hun ervaringen en uitdagingen. Niet alleen de technologische ontwikkelingen stonden centraal, maar vooral ook de gevolgen voor de arbeidsmarkt, talentontwikkeling en het onderwijs van morgen.
“Onderwijs moet blijven leren van de snelle innovaties binnen het bedrijfsleven. Daar moeten we de komende periode echt samen op inzetten,” aldus Guy van Eijkeren, manager van Economic Board The Hague. “Wij zien het als onze rol om werkgevers, onderwijs en overheid sterker met elkaar te verbinden, zodat kennis sneller gedeeld wordt en innovatie daadwerkelijk impact krijgt in de regio.”
Onder de aanwezigen waren vertegenwoordigers van onder andere Siemens, PostNL, Rabobank, ING en de gemeente Den Haag. Juist die brede vertegenwoordiging maakte duidelijk dat AI geen vraagstuk van één sector is, maar een gezamenlijke opgave.
De veranderende arbeidsmarkt
Theo Bakker, leading lector van het Centre of Expertise Global & Inclusive Learning, schetste tijdens één van de sessies de impact van AI op de arbeidsmarkt en op startende professionals.
“We zien dat AI complete beroepen of afdelingen, zoals callcenters, momenteel herstructureert,” stelde Theo Bakker. “Hierdoor verdwijnen bepaalde startersfuncties die voorheen een mooie opstap vormden. De overgebleven taken vragen vaak veel meer denkkracht. Afgestudeerden moeten daardoor een grotere sprong maken naar de arbeidsmarkt. Tijdens de Board Circle zagen we veel wederzijds begrip; ook bedrijven worstelen hiermee.”
Volgens Bakker vraagt dit om meer wendbaarheid binnen het onderwijs en om intensievere samenwerking met werkgevers. Stages en praktijkopdrachten spelen daarin een belangrijke rol.
“We moeten stages en praktijkopdrachten veel meer gebruiken als contactmoment om de nieuwste AI-ontwikkelingen direct vanuit bedrijven terug de opleiding in te trekken, zodat we sneller kunnen innoveren.”
Onderwijs en werkgevers dichter bij elkaar
Ook vanuit De Haagse Hogeschool werd het belang van nauwe samenwerking met werkgevers benadrukt. Peter Vroom, faculteitsdirecteur IT & Design en mede-initiatiefnemer van HAAI, onderstreepte de urgentie:
“Een groot bedrijf als Siemens geeft tegenwoordig aan dat AI hun core business vormt en dat ze hun mensen zelf wel opleiden. Dat betekent dat wij onze relevantie als kennisinstelling en aanbieder van officieel gediplomeerd talent continu moeten blijven aantonen.”
Volgens de aanwezige werkgevers ligt hier juist een grote kans voor de regio Den Haag: door onderwijs, bedrijfsleven en overheid beter te verbinden, kunnen studenten beter voorbereid worden op de praktijk én kunnen organisaties sneller inspelen op veranderingen.
Ook de gemeente Den Haag speelde een belangrijke rol in de gesprekken. De opkomst van AI raakt niet alleen bedrijven en onderwijsinstellingen, maar ook de publieke sector en de brede arbeidsmarkt van de stad. De Board Circle liet zien dat er veel bereidheid is om hierin gezamenlijk op te trekken.
HAAI als gezamenlijk regionaal platform
Een belangrijk onderdeel van de middag was de verdere positionering van de Haagse Applied AI Campus (HAAI). Dit samenwerkingsverband tussen mbo-, hbo- en wo-instellingen in de Haagse regio brengt onderwijs, onderzoek en praktijk samen rondom AI-vraagstukken.
De Board Circle maakte concreet hoe HAAI kan functioneren als één gezamenlijk loket voor organisaties die willen samenwerken op het gebied van AI, innovatie en talentontwikkeling.
“Bedrijven en de gemeente hebben er baat bij dat ze niet bij vier verschillende loketten hoeven aan te kloppen voor samenwerking of onderzoek,” aldus Peter Vroom. “Via de HAAI krijgen ze direct toegang tot de juiste kennisinstellingen in de stad.”
Ook Theo Bakker benadrukte de kracht van de samenwerking tussen onderwijsniveaus:
“Je ziet dat het mbo heel kort cyclisch werkt, wij als hbo positioneren ons daar net iets boven qua praktijkonderzoek, en de universiteit richt zich op het meer fundamentele, langdurige onderzoek. Als je die lagen op deze vraagstukken laat samenwerken, vul je elkaar perfect aan.”
Samen verder bouwen
De Board Circle AI maakte duidelijk dat de urgentie hoog is, maar vooral ook dat de wil om samen te werken groot is. Economic Board The Hague zal samen met werkgevers, gemeente en onderwijsinstellingen blijven werken aan het versterken van de verbinding tussen onderwijs en arbeidsmarkt, zodat de Haagse regio voorbereid blijft op de kansen en uitdagingen van AI. De gezamenlijke ambitie is helder: talent ontwikkelen, innovatie versnellen en de regio Den Haag toekomstbestendig maken in een arbeidsmarkt die steeds sneller verandert.
Meer informatie over de HAAI campus is hier te vinden. Dit evenement is georganiseerd is samenwerking met De Haagse Hogeschool, TU Delft, ROC Mondriaan en Universiteit Leiden.
The Hague, May 19 2026
Dear Mr Aboutaleb and negotiators,
You have the important task of working with the parties involved to draw up a new coalition agreement for The Hague. On behalf of The Hague Connected, we would like to offer our cooperation.
THC is a partnership between ANWB, Haaglanden Medical Centre, The Hague University of Applied Sciences, NN Group, Odido, Shell, Siemens and PostNL. The partnership is supported by the Economic Board The Hague. As major employers in The Hague, we are actively committed to the accessibility of our city. This commitment has been reaffirmed in our continuation statement for 2025–2029. For us, future-proof mobility is an essential prerequisite for a strong business climate, economic growth and broad prosperity.
In the run-up to the local elections, we provided input for the party manifestos, in which we emphasised the importance of accessibility. We would like to reiterate these points now for the forthcoming coalition agreement and ask that mobility be enshrined as a cross-portfolio theme. We ask you to include the following three priorities in the coalition agreement:
Naturally, we will also be available during the formation process to share our knowledge and experience. Furthermore, once the new council has been formed, we look forward to working closely with the future councillor for mobility to tackle our shared challenges. At THC, we can contribute practical insights and concrete examples. In addition, we can contribute to initiatives such as European Mobility Week. Finally, we see opportunities to work together to engage with public authorities and transport organisations to highlight key mobility challenges.
Mobility touches on The Hague’s most important challenges: the economy, housing, sustainability and quality of life. Public-private dialogue is essential in this regard. As employers, we are keen to contribute actively to this.
We wish you every success with the formation of the new council.
Kind regards,
The employers represented in The Hague Connected
Op 6 mei vond bij de ANWB de jaarlijkse bestuurdersbijeenkomst van The Hague Connected (THC) plaats. Bestuurders en vertegenwoordigers kwamen samen om de voortgang van het werkgeverssamenwerkingsverband te bespreken.
In het verlengde van de vorig jaar ondertekende voortzettingsverklaring stond de middag in het teken van verdere verdieping en intensivering van de samenwerking, waarbij het groeiende commitment van de betrokken partijen duidelijk zichtbaar was. In een open en constructieve setting werden verschillende actuele thema’s besproken die van belang zijn voor de mobiliteit en bereikbaarheid van de regio.
Zo werd stilgestaan bij de algemene bereikbaarheid van de stad, de vervolgstappen van de netwerkstrategie en de ambitie om Den Haag opnieuw aan te sluiten op het internationale treinennetwerk. Daarnaast werd uitgebreid gesproken over de impact van recente politieke ontwikkelingen, waaronder de vorming van een nieuwe coalitie en gemeenteraad, en wat dit betekent voor de gezamenlijke agenda.
Ook werd vooruitgekeken naar de Mobiliteitsweek, waarbij de aanwezigen hun gezamenlijke inzet en betrokkenheid benadrukten. De bijeenkomst bood ruimte voor het delen van perspectieven en het versterken van de onderlinge samenwerking.
In het bijzijn van de burgemeester werd onderstreept dat het belang van continuïteit en gezamenlijke inzet voor de stad centraal staat. In het licht van politieke veranderingen werd het belang van stabiele samenwerking en een langetermijnvisie nogmaals benadrukt.
De bijeenkomst werd gekenmerkt door een sterke gedeelde ambitie: het verder versterken van de bereikbaarheid en economische kracht van Den Haag, in nauwe samenwerking tussen publieke en private partners.
Over The Hague Connected
Het werkgeverssamenwerkingsverband The Hague Connected zet zich in voor een betere en duurzamere bereikbaarheid van de stad. Het doel van deze samenwerking is het versterken van het vestigingsklimaat in Den Haag door mobiliteitsvraagstukken gezamenlijk aan te pakken en concrete stappen te zetten richting een bereikbaar en toekomstbestendig Den Haag.
The Hague Connected te willen inzetten voor het toekomstbestendig houden van de stad, door bij te dragen aan:
The Hague Connected bestaat momenteel uit acht grote Haagse werkgevers, namelijk: ANWB, NN Group, PostNL, Siemens, Odido, Shell, De Haagse Hogeschool en Haaglanden Medisch Centrum.
Erwin Muller bid farewell to the Economic Board The Hague (EBTH) last week. As of 1 April 2026, he will take up his new role as State Councillor at the Advisory Division of the Council of State.
Through his position at Leiden University, Erwin brought a wealth of knowledge, experience and a strong network within the education domain to the EBTH. His dedication and expertise have made a significant contribution to strengthening collaboration between education, government and industry in The Hague region.
A special milestone we were proud to celebrate together was the opening of Leiden University’s new campus in The Hague. This location, which also hosts other educational institutions, highlights the importance of a strong and well-connected education cluster in the city.
We thank Erwin for his commitment and contributions, and wish him every success in his new role as State Councillor at the Council of State.
The programme for Den Haag Inspireert 2026 has been announced!
On Friday 29 May, the fifth edition of Den Haag Inspireert! will take place at the World Forum in The Hague.
Den Haag Inspireert! is the annual event for entrepreneurs and employers from The Hague and the surrounding region. During this inspiring gathering, the city, region and business community come together to look ahead and exchange ideas about the future.
This year is extra special: we are celebrating our fifth anniversary! That’s why this edition will be even more festive and impactful, filled with inspiration, connections and fresh perspectives.
Sign up and choose your session soon, as places are limited:
https://www.denhaaginspireert2026.nl/registreren/
Programme
How can we build a future-proof region together? That is the central question during this anniversary edition of Den Haag Inspireert!. With the theme ‘Moving Forward Together’, connecting, strengthening and finding one another are more important than ever. From SMEs to multinationals: everyone who wants to contribute to the region’s future is welcome.
You can expect:
View the full programme on the website.
Details
What Den Haag Inspireert!
Date & Time Friday 29 May 2026, 13:15 – 18:00
Location World Forum The Hague
Website www.denhaaginspireert2026.nl
Economic Board The Hague (EBTH) endorses the national appeal for a coherent and future-proof talent policy recently issued by Economic Boards Netherlands. Through this joint statement, the regional boards call for an integrated and structural approach to talent development in the Netherlands. The appeal was signed on behalf of Economic Boards Netherlands in close consultation with all affiliated regional boards, including Economic Board The Hague.
A strong and coherent talent policy is essential to the future earning capacity of regions, to their innovative strength, and to strengthening the business climate. Particularly in a time of labour market shortages, rapid technological developments and major societal transitions, it is crucial to keep talent development high on the public and administrative agenda.
Talent as the Foundation for Broad Prosperity
For the The Hague region, talent development is inseparably linked to economic and societal progress. The Hague’s economy is characterised by strong clusters in areas such as peace and justice, cybersecurity, energy, impact, and public administration. These sectors require highly educated, agile and internationally oriented talent.
Within Economic Board The Hague, the domain of education and talent is firmly embedded. Leiden University, represented by Erwin Muller, and The Hague University of Applied Sciences, represented by Elisabeth Minneman, make active and substantive contributions to the board. Thanks in part to their involvement and expertise, EBTH is keenly aware of the strategic importance of a coherent approach to education, the labour market and regional development.
The connection between educational institutions, employers and government is crucial in this regard. A future-proof talent policy requires collaboration across sectors and levels of government, with attention to both initial education and lifelong learning, international talent flows and inclusive labour market opportunities.
Call for Coherence and a Long-Term Vision
Through this national appeal, innovative start-ups and scale-ups, established companies, knowledge institutions and sector organisations call on the national government to develop a coherent talent policy. Economic Board The Hague supports this call and remains committed to strong regional cooperation around education and talent. Only with a clear long-term vision and shared responsibility can the Netherlands – and the The Hague region in particular – sustainably strengthen its competitiveness and broad prosperity.
Read the Appeal for a Coherent and Future-Proof Talent Policy (in Dutch) here.
The employer partnership The Hague Connected is expanding with two leading The Hague-based organisations: Haaglanden Medical Centre (HMC) and The Hague University of Applied Sciences (THUAS). With their addition, the network now comprises eight major employers committed to working together towards better and more sustainable accessibility of The Hague.
The Hague Connected is dedicated to strengthening the city’s business climate by jointly addressing mobility challenges and taking concrete steps towards an accessible and future-proof The Hague. The partnership currently consists of ANWB, NN Group, PostNL, Siemens, Odido and Shell, and is now further reinforced by HMC and THUAS.
Ingrid Wolf, Chair of the Executive Board of HMC:
“HMC is proud to be the first healthcare organisation to join the The Hague Connected collective. Good accessibility is vital for delivering high-quality care, particularly as HMC operates one of the largest Accident & Emergency departments in the Netherlands and serves as a regional Level 1 trauma centre. As a major healthcare provider located in the heart of The Hague, we believe it is essential that the city remains easily accessible for our patients, colleagues and visitors. In close collaboration with the other employers, we are pleased to contribute to this important initiative.”
Accessibility as a strategic theme
For The Hague University of Applied Sciences, participation in The Hague Connected is a logical step. As a knowledge institution and a major employer, the university aims to actively contribute to the joint dialogue on accessibility and the international positioning of The Hague.
“From our role as a knowledge institution in the city and as a major employer, we consider it important to strengthen the shared conversation about accessibility and the international positioning of The Hague,” said Hans Nederlof, member of the Executive Board of The Hague University of Applied Sciences. “Through our daily practice – as an employer and in education and research – we contribute knowledge, experience and insights in the fields of mobility, sustainability and urban development where appropriate, and align ourselves with the shared narrative of The Hague.”
Accessibility is of crucial importance to the university. For THUAS, The Hague is not only its home base, but also an international meeting place for education and research. To remain an attractive European knowledge city, strong physical connections with (European) cities are essential to enable students, staff and partners to participate, collaborate and meet.
Accessibility as a prerequisite for healthcare
For HMC, good accessibility of the city is equally essential. As a large hospital with three locations in The Hague, accessibility plays a direct role in the continuity of care.
“As a major hospital in The Hague, we believe it is important that the city remains accessible for our patients, colleagues and visitors,” said Ingrid Wolf, Chair of the Executive Board of HMC. “Together with other large employers in the city, we are keen to help think through and realise effective plans.”
For HMC, accessibility can even be a matter of life and death. The hospital operates one of the largest Accident & Emergency departments in the Netherlands and is a regional Level 1 trauma centre. “Our emergency services must be able to reach us quickly and efficiently when every second counts.”
Commitment and courage in mobility policy
From the perspective of sustainability, health and accessibility, HMC encourages employees to travel by public transport, bicycle or on foot. Reimbursements for these modes of travel exceed those set out in the collective labour agreement, making sustainable transport more attractive. The Hague University of Applied Sciences also pursues a mobility policy in which sustainable travel is the norm. For commuting, a green travel allowance scheme encourages staff to opt for cleaner and healthier forms of transport.
Working together towards an accessible The Hague
With the addition of HMC and The Hague University of Applied Sciences, The Hague Connected is further strengthened as a platform in which major employers take responsibility for the city’s accessibility. By pooling knowledge, experience and influence, the participating organisations are taking concrete steps to ensure that The Hague remains accessible, sustainable and internationally attractive.
