INNOVATE™ Antwerp 2

Volume 2

ANTWERP

InnovationsoftheWorld.com

DISCOVERING THE ECOSYSTEMS OF THE ENTIRE PROVINCE OF ANTWERP

FREDDY ARNAUTS – ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER

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CHAPTER ONE

THOUGHT LEADERS

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I N N O V A T E A N T W E R P V O L . 2

CAMPINA CAMPUS MUST UNLOCK INNOVATION POTENTIAL

WARD KENNES, MAYOR OF KASTERLEE

Photo: Jef Van Nooten

In October 2019, together with the Regional Platform Kempen, we organised a two-day “Future Forum” on the future of our region Kempen. The Regional Platform Kempen is a socio-economic consultative body of Kempen MPs, provincial and local administrators together with social partners.

During this Future Forum some 80 people brainstormed intensively about the future of our region Kempen. As Chairman, I was quite proud of the dynamics present during these two days. The participative approach was a new way of working for the Regional Platform Kempen.

As a result, after a weekend of strong process management and active participation, we found a common horizon for our region: in 2030 the Kempen region will be a sustainable community, an inclusive,

warm and caring community and an enterprising and innovative community.

Kempen an innovative region Today, the potential for an innovative region is already present in many places. An increasing number of large and small companies, already have innovation at the heart of the agenda.

In addition, the Kempen hosts a number of prominent knowledge institutions such as SCK and VITO. Also the KU Leuven university and Thomas More focus their attention on the Kempen region. However, in my opinion the actual knowledge and research results do not yet sufficiently lead to the creation of new companies: this remains an important challenge for the Kempen.

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