How can you collectively achieve successful implementation of sustainable solutions? This question lies at the heart of Stephanie Janssen’s work. As a researcher at Deltares, she specialises in social inclusion.

In anticipation of the ‘Social Inclusion in Water Climate Adaptation’ event, organised by Partners for Water and Deltares on 12 September, Stephanie discusses the significance of fostering inclusive transformation within the water sector.

In reaching genuine sustainable solutions, Stephanie believes it takes a collective effort. She cites a walk across clayey fields along the Friesland coast as an example. Here, the power of diverse voices became vividly apparent to her. “With local farmers, researchers and individuals from nature organisations and water institutes, we thought about sustainable coastal defenses in Friesland., we went out into the field together to devise solutions. The valuable ideas that surfaced could not have been conceived alone by one individual.”

Expect the unexpected

Conceiving ideas in a Friesian field is just one of the many examples Stephanie passionately highlights while emphasising the significance of social inclusion. “Water challenges are complex and lack of a single solution. The beauty of social inclusion is that you don’t have to face these complex challenges alone. Every time I collaborate with fellow stakeholders and remain open to the unexpected, powerful solutions emerge. And I see that this open mindset is gaining momentum within the water sector.”

Significant critiques

While the water sector is now actively pursuing an inclusive transformation, this hasn’t always been the case. A few years ago, the sector faced significant criticism from scientists, NGOs and journalists. Stephanie explains: “Professionals in the water sector often work with a passion to create positive change. However, solutions didn’t always align with the local context, stakeholders were insufficiently engaged and marginalised groups were often overlooked.” In response to this critique, a turning point emerged. “In the water sector, we made the collective decision to enhance our practices and deepen our understanding of social inclusion.”

Stephanie Janssen – Photo by Guus Schoonewille

Putting into practice

“Our challenge? To listen with an open mindset and curiosity,” Stephanie explains. She clarifies that she doesn’t limit this challenge solely to the design and implementation of water-related solutions, but to apply it at all levels. “I believe this mindset is equally important during discussions and reflections on social inclusivity. I make an effort to identify and set aside my own assumptions and to be genuinely curious about others’ perspectives. It’s not always easy, but it consistently brings valuable insights,” she emphasises.

Learning Together

The desire to embrace social inclusion at all levels is not unique to Stephanie. “The theme resonates greatly within the international water community. For instance, this became clear during the UN Water conference in March this year, where inclusion was one of the core values. I’ve noticed that motivation to collaborate on improving social inclusion is evident on all sides. That’s also one of the reasons why we’ve organised the ‘Social Inclusion in Water Climate Adaptation’ event,” she explains. The event is intended for professionals from private and public organisations, NGOs and knowledge institutions. “We will exchange ideas and experiences and explore how we can collectively progress on this theme as individuals, organisations and collectively in the water sector.”

Taking the next steps

“During the event, we will delve into what participants currently perceive and experience in the water sector, along with the challenges they encounter,” explains Stephanie. “Various individuals will share cases and insights, including Meike van Ginneken, the new Water Envoy of the Netherlands. Through interactive sessions, we aim to listen deeply to each other and collectively set new goals to enhance inclusivity within the water sector. Together, we will take the next steps towards a more inclusive water world.”

‘My journey as Rijkstrainee started last September when I joined the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy and the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality. There I coordinated the pre-financing of urgent programmes on topics such as water, nitrogen and nature. To learn more about the implementation side of such programmes, I joined the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) and their Partners for Water (PfW) programme. A place where I feel at home because ever since I was young, I’ve been fascinated by climate change, nature and biodiversity.’

Scientific perspective

‘I have a bachelor’s degree in political sciences, but that didn’t feel substantial enough. I became aware that I wanted to gain more background knowledge on what interests me. That’s why I decided to study Governance of Sustainability for my masters. With this, you get a good combination of the scientific perspective on climate change as well as how to best address it. I specialised in nitrogen, a topic which connects everything together: economics, nature, farmers and all of the social implications.’

International field

‘I’ve always been fascinated by Dutch agriculture and I even did an internship with Rabobank, the “farmers bank”. Given how closely linked and intertwined the topics of water and the agricultural are, joining the PfW programme felt like a logical next step. What I’ve done up until now has always been nationally focused. So, I look forward to getting insights into how our national developments relate to the international political field and what factors to take into consideration when working internationally. How, for instance, to take into account cultural differences.’

Cohesion and interaction

‘In my first weeks at PfW I reviewed several subsidiary request applications, which I felt were well written and thought out. That means I can learn a lot from them which is great. It’s also fun to read about the innovative solutions the applicants have proposed. I’m honoured to be able to comment on them and the team’s guidance has been great. In the coming time, I hope to contribute to the programme with what I’ve learned in the first part of my traineeship: analysing the cohesion and interaction between the different actors operating in the field.’

Middle East

‘I’m originally from Zaandam, but I now live in Amsterdam. Taking the train to The Hague can sometimes be a bit of a nuisance, but it’s a sacrifice I happily make. My future plans? Part of my traineeship is being sent to another ministry, province embassy or consulate for half a year. A consulate would be my preference. I would love to be stationed abroad and work on a project related to climate change. I’ve always had a deep love and interest for the Middle East, so ultimately my dream is to do valuable work there.’

‘I’ve always worked in the field of water, for governments and international organizations. My first job was in Punjab, Pakistan. An interesting assignment for a research institute, on the influence of waterlogging and salinity on agricultural production. After working, amongst others, for the Food & Agriculture Organization of the United Nations in Italy and the Environment Agency in England I’ve been with Rijkswaterstaat for the past fifteen years before joining RVO.’

Balanced relationship

‘My position in Bangladesh mainly focuses on supporting the Bengal government with executing their Delta Program by providing our support and expertise. After all, the Dutch have been working on our delta since – basically – the Middle Ages. Therefore, our governmental organizations, knowledge institutes and companies have a lot to offer. Now that Bangladesh is predicted to becoming a middle-income country in the next few years it means our relationship with Bangladesh will transform into a more balanced one based on working together in the ‘golden triangle’ of government, knowledge institutes and the private sector.’

Process and content

‘A large part of my time with Rijkswaterstaat I worked on the Dutch delta programme. That experience I’ll be able to use as DR in Bangladesh. When it comes to knowledge, policy, or implementation, process and content always go hand in hand. For example, when I read “It’s our goal to provide millions of people with clean drinking water”, I immediately think: who’s goal is this, how do you want to accomplish this, who gets to participate and who gets to take decisions? Content-based objectives raise process-based questions – and vice versa.

Action is needed

‘I’m a strategic thinker who likes to analyze complex playing fields. To have an overview, learn the rules, and get to know the players. And then decide which chess piece to move at which time to make sure good interventions are made. However, when I arrive in Dhaka I can’t sit around and only study. Action is also needed. For example, on how we’re going to continue with the currently ending SIDBP-program (Support to the Implementation of the Bangladesh Delta Programme).’

Discover together

‘Adaptive water management is crucial. Social-economic developments go fast, we’re dealing with a climate and ecological crisis: we’re investing in an unknown future. If you do this in adaptive way with short cycles, taking the latest insights and expected developments into account, you can make small but meaningful interventions towards a shared vision. How we can give this form in Bangladesh is something we’ll need to discover together.’