Welcome to Rethinking Economics NL

Rethinking Economics Netherlands is a network of students and academics calling for new economic thinking.

Underneath the multiple crises of today, ecological breakdown, extreme inequality, increasing mental health issues and the deterioration of democracy, lies one common factor: an economic system that is based on exploitation and appropriation, and dependent on perpetual growth for its stability, in expense of people and planet.

Still, the Economics taught in schools and universities remains largely unchanged. Students learn a narrow and Eurocentric version of Economics, heavily dominated by neoclassical economics, under the implicit assumption that it is neutral and scientifically superior over other schools of thought. But to build an equitable and sustainable future, we are in urgent need of a more diverse toolkit of ideas, that is pluralist, real-world, decolonized and interdisciplinary.

Rethinking Economics Netherlands unites people who want a different Economics education. With our community, we aim to spread and increase knowledge on alternative economic ideas and to grow the call for curriculum change.

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Democratising The Economy - 19th May

A public lecture by Ted Howard, co-founder of the Democracy Collaborative - with a contribution by Yadan Al Drajy, co-founder of Renieuw-West, a worker cooperative in Amsterdam. Organised by Rethinking Economics NL, in collaboration with MeentCoop.

🗓️ 19th May
⏰ 17:30 - 19:00
🏢 Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
👥 Room HG-10A33
🔗 Sign up here : https://lnkd.in/eEfkF6JF

What if economies were designed to keep wealth in the places where it is created? In most cities today, money flows in - through anchor institutions and public institutions - and then flows straight back out again, into distant shareholders and global supply chains.

By democratising the economy - opening up decision-making and ownership - wealth can be fairly distributed. Community Wealth Building is one of the most concrete ways to make that happen. This lecture explores a growing movement that asks: what would it look like if we organised this differently? And: what can you do to be part of that change?

Ted Howard is co-founder and president emeritus of the Democracy Collaborative, one of the world's leading organisations working on democratic economic development. He is co-author of The Making of a Democratic Economy, and has spent three decades advising cities and governments across the world on how to build economies that work for everyone.

Yadan Al Drajy, one of the people behind Renieuw-West, will share a first-hand account. This is an emerging worker cooperative in Amsterdam West focused on sustainable renovation and building. Yadan will share what it actually looks like to build and run such a cooperative: the challenges, the solidarity, and the sense of ownership that no ordinary employment contract can provide.

MeentCoop is a coalition aiming to build, support and organise for the community economy in Amsterdam.

RE Weekend 8-10 May

It is almost time for our little RE NL weekend trip to a cosy house!

Expect a weekend full of having fun, dinner in the sun, exploring heterodox economics through interesting student lectures, and being part of the RE community.

We warmly welcome anyone who would like to strengthen their connection to our network and get to know more Rethinkers. Also if you're new to this, it's the perfect way to get involved.

You find more information on the costs, the location and a broad timeline in the link in bio.

Please sign up latest by 19 April, but the earlier the better! There are limited spots, so full = full.

If you would like to join, but are limited in finances or only can join 1 of 2 nights, please reach out and we can discuss what possibilities there are.

We're looking forward to see you there 🫶🏽