Aniek Moonen

In this lecture, Aniek emphasizes the urgency of a new way of thinking and acting, by underlining the risks of short-term thinking. At the same time, she shows an alternative scenario, inspired by the seventh-generation thinking of the “Iroquois”; an indigenous tribe living in northern New York State that asks itself with every decision what the effect will be on the seventh generation after them. Aniek brings this way of thinking and decision making to Dutch boardrooms and offices.

‘Sustainability is not always sustainable’. Are you reading that right?

In this keynote, Aniek tells her personal story and shares the lessons she has learned in recent years. The 180-degree turn she made, the experiences she gained as president of the Young Climate Movement and the developments she sees passing by in daily practice. For example, the lack of strategic vision, which can create the “lock-in effect. “Fully committing to and investing in the latest sustainability technology can cause you to be locked in later, when it soon proves outdated.” Aniek challenges us to think transformatively, to look further ahead.

This (minimum) 90 minute session consists of Aniek’s keynote ‘Seventh generation thinking for future decision making’ and a workshop. In the workshop you will work with the seventh-generation principle to challenge yourself and your current way of thinking. Half of the group ‘travels’ to 2060 and quickly transforms into the role of this generation. This confronts, opens doors and illuminates new perspectives. It sparks participants to come up with progressive ideas that are in the interest of us as current earthlings as well as the generations after us. A surprising and inspiring workshop.

This workshop is based on a board game – developed by professors and an activist movement – and confronts you with the fact that everything on earth is finite. Resources, human and social capital. Goal of the game? To stay “alive” as long as possible amid earthly unpredictability. The game lets you experience the vulnerability of humans and our existence; a real eye-opener.

Are you looking for a witty and experienced chairman for your event, conference or meeting? With Aniek as host of your event, you make a choice for an inspiring and substantively strong host. Aniek knows how to keep the audience involved with humor and interaction until the end of the program.

This topic concerns everyone. Individuals, companies, organizations and government agencies. She wants to get “climate neglectors” thinking and the willing into action mode.

Anieks story may create a sense of discomfort in the beginning, but by the end the ‘sense of movement’ prevails. In her words; the sense of becoming part of the movement that consciously chooses radical transformation and acts accordingly.

Aniek calls for radical change while also sharing her own personal story and quest. “Until a few years ago, I was also ignorant regarding climate change and why sustainability is so important.” Aniek therefore believes that awareness is crucial for a future-proof world. It is never too early or too late to take steps in the biggest existential challenge of the century.

According to Aniek, her advantage is that she can be nice and unorthodox – “as a young speaker, you can kick against the system”. At her young age, she knows how to touch and inspire younger generations, but also connects just as well with older generations.

“The younger generation is often seen as inexperienced, but at the same time this has the advantage that we are able to think outside existing frameworks, which allows us to do things really differently.”

Confrontational stories and painful silences. It’s all allowed to be there in Aniek’s lectures. She does not sugarcoat, to avoid losing the core of the message.

“The opposite of what we are doing now! No, that’s not entirely true, but the fact is that things can and must be done much faster. This is only possible if we look in the broadest sense at the impact of our current decisions on the future. And not only what that means for yourself, but also for someone else; people on the other side of the world, or your great-grandchildren.”

“A lot of people think that the impact of the individual is very small, but it can become very big when you speak out. Of course, as a speaker I reach a large audience more often now, but also in my personal sphere I notice that you can make a lot of impact by starting the conversation. For example, my Burgundian Brabant family now almost always eats vegetarian and my friends love going on train vacations with me. By challenging the norm and standing up for new solutions, I contribute to transformation.”

“That’s all the indigenous climate activists who have been going all out for years to protect their natural habitat. Incredibly brave, which is not without risk. As recently as 2020, for example, more than 220 climate and environmental activists were murdered. I feel strengthened by them to keep going.”

“I don’t shy away from confrontation. And I find it important that my lecture is also a kind of show, fun to watch and listen to. That does not mean that I am putting on a glitter suit, but I do find it important to captivate my audience aurally and visually. With my workshops I also challenge new ways of thinking and working. You take that with you for the rest of your life!”

“You make me happy with long train journeys across Europe. Wonderful trips that bring you to places you wouldn’t have reached by plane. In addition, I am always looking for the most extraordinary restaurants, both at home and abroad. No five-star fine-dining, but rather undiscovered places with authentic food from distant lands. That’s how I travel the world without CO2 emissions, haha.”