“Partner organizations develop smarter and better solutions for social challenges” – New board member Carst Joustra

Carst Joustra is our newest board member. He is currently a partner at YoumanFischer, a business mediation agency he co-founded. He has extensive experience in governance and management, including at a social childcare organization and a specialist association for workplace mediators.

A new role
Carst was there at the beginning of Adessium Foundation’s journey. In fact, he was one of the first two staff members in 2007. “I have fond memories of those years, but my arrival does not mean we will revert to the past. The foundation has made great strides since then, and my new role is completely different. I bring with me my experience as a conversation facilitator and supervisor, for example knowledge about how to deal with change in organizations. And I believe in servant leadership, which is a style that supports and helps organizations move forward. Of course it is a bonus that I have the Adessium DNA in me.”

Societal challenges
Carst has always kept an eye on Adessium’s themes over the years. “A good example is strengthening counterforces, including in investigative journalism. Our journalistic partner organizations have raised awareness about many social problems, including at the EU and Dutch governments. An excellent example is the pioneering PFAS research by Follow the Money investigative journalists in 2015. You can now read about the harmful effects of these chemicals in the Dutch media almost on a daily basis, but they were the first to warn the government and the public eight years ago.
I have also seen how certain groups in society are becoming increasingly vulnerable. Philanthropic organizations such as Adessium have a role to play here and can add to existing state funding. Adessium supports NGOs in strengthening their organizations, allowing partners to develop smarter and better solutions to societal challenges.”