The document summarizes a three-day event called "The Vital Region: The Unknown Known" organized by students from Stenden University. Each day focused on a different theme: community, new perspectives, and opportunities in the Frisian region of the Netherlands. Over the three days, there were 24 speakers and workshop hosts who informed and engaged students on topics like design thinking, refugee experiences, circular economy, social entrepreneurship, and more. Attendees found the event inspiring and insightful about the vitality and future potential of their local region.

1. The Vital Region: The Unknown Known
Help me help you help us.
3 days, 9 hours and 24 speakers and workshop hosts!
We just had our 1st ever “Vital Region” event and are delighted with the outcome. It was
packed with fun and engaging activities both informative and interactive that opened the eyes
of students towards the vital region and inspired them to become the future of Friesland. Our
audience was submerged in all the topics we featured. So much so that the same faces were
present throughout all the three days.
Between the 15th and 17th of November we found ourselves in “de Kanselarij” to rapport the
topic of “Vital Region”; focusing on the Frisian region. Moreover, each of the three days was
appointed its own subtopic linking to the main theme: Community, new perspectives and
opportunities.
This event was organized and hosted by our team made up of three second year students
currently pursuing our Bachelor degree in International Leisure Management at Stenden.
During our internship at MentorProgramma Friesland, we took the initiative to shed light on
local opportunities and chances found in our area and show that the place we call home is a
“Vital Region”. Below you will find a summary of each day.
Day 1 – Community
Firstly, a definition was giving to clarify what a
vital region is. It is a region where individuals with
various skills and expertise collaborate to create
communities and networks, which in turn
produce synergy for everyone involved.
Moreover, thesecreated strengths are connected
to national and global developments.
During the first keynote of the day, we learned
that community is a unit of individuals that share
the same believes or common goal(s).
Subsequently, these teachings were put to the
test by a workshop that covered “Design
Thinking”. After the workshop, the event was
engulfed by emotion through a powerful story, which let everyone in the room perceive the
life of a refugee. Lastly, a company was presented that connects students, unemployed or
people who don’t have the privilege of going to
school with mentors, which help them with specific
development inquiries.
Day 2 – New Perspectives
To kick off this day, we received a couple of tips on
how to be a successful entrepreneur. Following was
a keynote that explained the concept of “Circular
Economy”, while focusing it to plastics. After that,

2. we played a board game called: “Energy Battle”, which focused on people, planet, profit, and
their relation to each other. Next, we gave the audience a choice between two keynotes, one
on the topic of journalism and the other shed light on the endless opportunities of the Hemp
plant. Lastly, the audience was overwhelmed by an inspiring story about social
entrepreneurship including two ongoing examples of it. On top of that, we received a special
visit from a deputy of Friesland, who also closed the day.
Day 3 – Opportunities
Our last day started with an incredible
story concerning the Culture Capital
2018, which instigated guests to stay in
the region and be part of the future of
Friesland. It shouldn’t stop there
though. Legacy projects were also
mentioned and elaborated on.
Following this, was an example of a
startup entrepreneur that realized an
increase of the economic homeless and
took this as an opportunity to help them
get back on their feet. Next, an alternative version of the escaperoom was presented. A group
of people took this trend of 2014/15 and installed cameras in the room to be able to monitor
every movement of the people “trapped” inside. Consequently, through analysis and
interpretation of their behavior, they were able to identify multiple aspects of their
participants, such as leadership styles, communication styles and group dynamics. Lastly, a
workshop was held by three 3rd year students on the topic of social enterprise.
Thank you for taking the opportunity to develop yourself and be part of the “Vital Region”.
“When is Vital Region 2.0?” – Johan Thijssen
“Truly inspiring; not only applicable to the Frisian region, but every other as
well” – Anneloes van der Ster
“It’s impressive what you can achieve with a little idea” – Julia Keller