Planetary Health Dialogues: Common Good

In 2025, we will start a series of Planetary Health Dialogues. We do this in cooperation with the Aletta Jacobs School of Public Health.

During these meetings, two experts from different disciplines will shed light on various themes related to Planetary Health. In these sessions, we will increase our shared understanding of the field of Planetary Health and related themes. The mutual encounter also offers opportunities to intensify interdisciplinary work within this field. During the sessions, intellectual exploration of the subject will be combined with experimental sensory experiences.

The theme of the first session is Common Good, this theme will be investigated from the microbiological world: Conflict and cooperation in a bacterial world, and the world of law: Common heritage of mankind. What are the similarities between ecological interactions in nature and interactions in human society? How do we deal with shared resources that are essential for public health, but also for the health of the planet, such as clean water and air? What can we learn from microbes to improve our own systems and public health? Be inspired by a unique interdisciplinary perspective!

During this meeting, two renowned experts share their insights

• Marjon de Vos takes you into the microbiological world. She shows how microbes collaborate and compete with each other, and how these dynamics offer surprising lessons for human societies. Think of themes such as sustainability and collaboration within communities.

• Marlies Hesselman sheds light on the legal side of common good and how legislation in human societies can help protect it. How do we prevent overexploitation of shared resources and create healthy systems that do justice to people and the environment?

This meeting offers a unique opportunity to learn, be inspired and think along about solutions for one of the greatest challenges of our time: how do we as a society deal with shared resources?

Practical information:

Details about the program will follow soon.

Block February 13 in your agenda – you don't want to miss this!

And also in advance... the second Planetary Health Dialogue is scheduled on 22 April.