How innovation is driving the revolution at Amsterdam ArenA

Summer wouldn’t be complete without our annual Innovative Summer tips! This season, soak up the sunshine and get inspired by everything the city has to offer. From exploring the future of energy to dancing on a science museum rooftop, Amsterdam is bursting with opportunities to experience innovation, sustainability, and creativity. Here are six highlights from Amsterdam InChange to help make your summer not just memorable, but also meaningful.

Kwaku Festival x Innofest

Innofest is teaming up with Kwaku Festival to turn the festival atmosphere into a testing ground for sustainable innovations. For four weeks, Kwaku brings together music, dance, art, and food rooted in the Surinamese community and enriched by influences from the Caribbean, Africa, and beyond. This summer, Innofest will be testing two of its innovations live at the festival. Curious to find out which ones? Check them out on their website.

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SAIL Amsterdam

Experience history and the future on open water. Every five years, the world’s largest tall ships dock in Amsterdam for SAIL: a celebration of maritime heritage and innovation. Due to COVID, it’s now been ten years since the last edition. In August 2025, SAIL returns not only with beautiful ships but also with important themes like the energy transition and green logistics.

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Music on the Roof of NEMO

Spend your summer evenings on NEMO’s rooftop, where live music meets stunning city views and a dose of science. The rooftop becomes a spot for concerts, interactive exhibits, and inspiring ideas around energy and sustainability. A good mix of culture, curiosity, and summer vibes.

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Climate festival at De Hortus

Get active in the climate conversation. Set in the lush botanical gardens of De Hortus, the Climate festival offers workshops, talks, and art installations focused on climate change and ecological resilience. It's a moment to reconnect with nature and find actionable hope.

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Waag Open: Energy of the Future

Reimagine how we power our lives. Hosted by Waag Futurelab, this edition of Waag Open explores the future of energy. You'll go on an excursion to the Buiksloterham neighborhood, where all aspects of the energy transition come to life. Discover how deep the boreholes for thermal energy storage go, and learn exactly where the heat for the district heating system comes from.

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The Digital Fabric of Political Violence

Discover how technology shapes conflict. At Pakhuis de Zwijger, this event explores how digital tools and social platforms contribute to modern political violence. Through research and open dialogue, you’ll learn more about the intersection of tech, power, and resistance.

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Do you have any other interesting tips? Share them below!

The SensemakersAMS Community and OBA present 2 speakers again:

1. Nikki Sterkenburg, Professor Investigative Journalism Studies (VU) / Dep. Head Analysis National Security (NCTV) on cybersecurity
2. TBA

It starts at 19h in the OBA on the 6th floor. You can rsvp via meetup or by sending an email to sensemakersams@protonmail.com
But our meetings are open to all so feel also free to just walk in.

Voor het vergroten van kennis en begrip over algoritmes is Waag Futurelab op zoek naar digitaal hulpverleners (in brede zin):

"Help je burgers in het omgaan met digitale tools en diensten? Krijg je in jouw werk te maken met vragen over o.a. algoritmes? Ben je digitale hulpverlener of heb je als professional te maken met algoritmische besluitvorming met gevolgen voor burgers? Waag Futurelab onderzoekt binnen Algo-Lit kennis en begrip van algoritmes bij deze doelgroepen. Ook peilen we de behoefte aan transparantie over algoritmes. Help je mee?

Ga voor meer informatie en de vragenlijst naar https://waag.org/nl/project/algo-lit/."