Moonshot
Moonshot thinking is inspired by President John F. Kennedy and his conviction to be the first nation to land on the moon: "We choose to go to the Moon". It can be defined as big(ish) and positive thinking; it encourages extraordinary performance and intense collaboration that can push boundaries. In doing so, a leader is not the one who makes the difference, but rather the intermediary force - the power between people and organisations. That social capital is worth its weight in gold. With a common goal and the joint commitment to achieve it, the road towards it is sure to bring many successes.
On the road to - A Bluezone
The City Vision Maastricht 2040 focuses on the healthy city. This is fully in line with the ambitions of the province, which wants to be a frontrunner in healthcare innovation, to improve both the quantity (in years) and quality of life. Social innovation and positive health are also an important part of this. The need is great, which requires innovative solutions and very strong collaboration. Many activities in our (scientific) ecosystem have enormous potential and quality and are very closely related to the pursuit of that (international) leading position. For instance, all four Brightlands campuses in Limburg (Health, Chemelot, Smart Services and Greenport Venlo) each contribute to improving health and quality of life from their own expertise. Of course, Maastricht University and Maastricht UMC+ play an obvious role in this, as do many other companies and institutions in Maastricht and the region.
Why this Moonshot?
Blue Zones are demarcated areas whose populations share a specific lifestyle and living environment and where people live measurably longer. Looking at the common characteristics that define a Blue Zone, there are clear similarities with the DNA of Maastricht and region, but there are also major challenges. Health is not an optional extra for us here in Limburg. And that is precisely why we collectively embrace this Moonshot; if we put our shoulders to the wheel here together, the road towards it will already bring successes.