New CEO Dutch Investors’ Association, Paul Koster, visits Euronext

Paul Koster sounds the opening gong at Euronext Amsterdam to celebrate his appointment as the CEO of the Dutch Investors’ Association (VEB).

The new CEO is anxious to start his job representing the interests of investors and standing up for their rights where necessary. “At a time when more and more financial responsibility is being shifted to the individual, I look forward to supporting investors,” Paul Koster said. “The VEB wants to help investors accept their responsibility, for example by encouraging transparency about risks and costs. In addition we will continue to act in the best interest of the investors, as the VEB has so successfully done in recent years.” The Dutch Investors’ Association is celebrating its 90^th anniversary this year.

In 2013 Paul Koster was senior advisor to the Governor of the DiFC. In the period from 2008 – 2012 he was the CEO of Dubai’s financial regulator. Koster, who trained as an accountant, has also served on the managing board of the AFM and as chief compliance officer at the Amsterdam exchange. Paul Koster’s predecessor Jan Maarten Slagter held the position at the VEB for seven years.

For more information: www.veb.net

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National Association De Zonnebloem celebrates 65th anniversary

National Association De Zonnebloem celebrates its 65^th year anniversary by sounding the gong at Euronext Amsterdam.

The mission of the association is to help disabled people to enjoy life as much as possible. Over 40,000 volunteers in The Netherlands help realize this goal. Around 155,000 people with physical disabilities use the services of the association and more than 8,000 of them enjoy a customized holiday every year. Very special is the fact that there are almost as many volunteers to provide the necessary care. De Zonnebloem believes that there are still plenty of opportunities to help people with disabilitiesby providing the needed knowledge and expertise.

For more information: www.zonnebloem.nl

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Grachtenfestival Amsterdam opens trading with clarinetist Bart de Kater

Clarinetist Bart de Kater opens trading at Euronext Amsterdam for the opening of Grachtenfestival Amsterdam.

The festival has alternative ways to introduce classical music to a broad audience and it helps young, talented musicians to shine. The program starts on Friday 15 August with a concert on the pontoon in front the Bellevue theater. Grachtenfestival Amsterdam will be held until 24 August, and this year it boasts 250 concerts on 90 different venues. The venues of this year's concerts are the future subway station Vijzelgracht, the future bicycle tunnel under Amsterdam Central Station, the Hembrug area, several venues at the Zuidas, and more. Clarinetist Bart de Kater performs at the Portuguese Synagoge on Thursday 21 August at 8pm.

For more information: www.grachtenfestival.nl

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AIF and NYU Stern School of Business sound gong for Master in Risk Management

Amsterdam Institute of Finance (AIF) and NYU Stern School of Business sound the gong for the Master of Science in Risk Management for Executives program, a Master’s program for professionals in Risk Management. The program takes place in New York, Amsterdam and Hong Kong in one year.

Amsterdam Institute of Finance (AIF) is a self-supporting, not-for-profit foundation, specialized in providing high-level financial training for finance and other professionals. Participants in AIF programs have the advantage of learning from the world's leading experts who have significant teaching as well as consulting experience. AIF has welcomed participants from more than 1000 organizations representing over 100 countries to its programs. Particular areas of expertise include Risk Management, Corporate Finance, Project Finance, Valuation, Financial Analysis, Investments, and Negotiation Skills. In The Netherlands, AIF worked together with PRMIA (Professional Risk Managers' International Association) to launch PRMIA's first Dutch chapter. AIF is also a PRMIA Partner for seminars and financial training.

For more information: www.aif.nl

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Gong marks 5th World Cinema Amsterdam edition

World Cinema Amsterdam sounds the gong to mark the start of the 5^th edition of the festival.

Twelve days in a row (till August 24) visitors can enjoy the best independently produced films from Latin America, Asia and Africa in Rialto and De Balie. World Cinema Amsterdam Open Air is traditionally a popular feature. As in the previous year, four new films are screened at Marie Heinekenplein in Amsterdam. The films from Brazil, Uruguay and Mexico tell stories about ordinary and quite extraordinary people who try to keep going in their current situation. Tito Rodriguez Torras and Veerle Snijders, responsible for marketing and communications, sound the gong.

For more information:www.worldcinemaamsterdam.nl

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ChildsLife draws attention for International Youth Day

By sounding the gong ChildsLife International draws attention for International Youth Day.

For almost twee decades ChildsLife has provided Chances for Children in Eastern Europe and Africa. ChildsLife provides practical help, using local partners and staff with a tailored-made approach leading towards self-sustainability and has developed an extensive and diverse development program. One aspect of this is the building of schools to provide education and school meals for a better future for children ranging in ages from 4 to 18. The ChildsLife vocational school located in the middle of one of the largest slums in Africa gives youths from the slum an opportunity to learn a profession and take one step further from poverty. Two children of ChildsLife staff, Stefan van Klarenbosch and Lotte Brands sound the gong.

For more information: www.childslife.org

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IMC Weekend School celebrates start alumni Summer Camp

IMC Weekend School celebrates the start of the new academic year for the alumni. The start of the new academic year is marked by two summer camps. On Monday August 11^th the second summer camp starts. These summer camps consist of several workshops and master classes by dedicated guest lecturers.

IMC Weekend school provides supplementary education to young people between the ages of ten and fourteen who come from deprived backgrounds and are anxious to learn. Lessons are given by enthusiastic professionals such as entrepreneurs, nursing professionals, judges and artists. The students come into contact with different professional groups and sectors, and are given a broader view of society so that they can make better, more informed choices about their education and career. IMC Weekend School receives a substantial yearly contribution from ING and is also financed by over one hundred companies and funds.

An important part of the cooperation with ING is that employees participate as volunteers. For example by providing guest lectures about learning how to manage personal finances, workshops for alumni or guidance throughout the school year. Alumni, Candice Lepelblad, sounds the gong together with other alumni and representatives of partner ING.

For more information: www.imcweekendschool.nl

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NederlandSchoon supporters sound the gong

NederlandSchoon (The Netherlands Clean) opens trading at the Amsterdam exchange, together with the cleanest hockey club in the Netherlands, Peel en Maas. This hockey club, based in the town of Panningen, has set an example by creating a sporting environment that is easy to keep clean, as well as helping to encourage good sportsmanship and involvement.

The objective of NederlandSchoon is to reduce the amount of litter in the Netherlands. In order to achieve this goal, the foundation holds anti-litter campaigns, conducts research into the importance of a clean environment, and advises companies on how to process rubbish. People are becoming increasingly aware of the positive effect of a cleaning living environment, and as a result the country is now cleaner.

If everyone picked up their own litter, the government could save approximately 200 million euros a year. In fact, if only one in ten people picked up not only their own litter, but someone else’s litter as well every now and then, the litter problem would be solved. People who volunteer to pick up other people’s litter are known as Schoon Supporters. The director of the NederlandSchoon foundation, Helene van Zutphen, sounds the gong.

For more information: www.NederlandSchoon.nl and www.supportervanschoon.nl

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AFC Ajax celebrates winning KNVB Women’s Cup

By sounding the gong AFC Ajax celebrates winning the KNVB Women’s Cup. On June 9, 2014 the AFC Ajax team won the finals of the KNVB Cup and defeated PSV / FC Eindhoven (2-1). To celebrate this victory, coach Ed Engelkes sounds the gong at Euronext Amsterdam.

On May 18, 2012 the women's team of AFC Ajax was founded, which is now two seasons playing in the Women's League BeNe, an international competition with clubs from the Netherlands and Belgium. The Ajax Women play their home games at Sportpark De Toekomst. The kick-off for the 2014-2015 season is scheduled for Friday, August 29 (Ajax - KAA Gent). It's goodbye to four players, and so far there are three new players added to the selection of coach Ed Engelkes, including Anouk Hoogendijk. The International was already part of the Ajax selection last season but was the first player who made a transfer. After six months in the English Premier League with Arsenal LFC she returns to the selection of Ajax Women. Ajax is listed on Euronext Amsterdam since 1998 (ticker symbol: AJAX).

For more information: www.ajax.nl

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Gong starts Pluk de Nacht festival

The open-air film festival Pluk de Nacht (Seize the Night) opens on Wednesday, August 6th with the film Stop the Pounding Heart (Germany). This special film by director Roberto Minervini is a mix of documentary and fiction. The award-winning film is the kick-off of the eleventh edition of the Pluk de Nacht Film Festival, taking place in Amsterdam until August 16th.

For eleven summer nights, visitors can enjoy free (inter) national feature films, documentaries and animations that have not been shown in the Netherlands before. This year, the festival takes place in different locations. After Amsterdam, Pluk de Nacht travels to Utrecht (21-23 August). The festival closes in Arnhem (27-30 August). In addition, on August 29th, there is a special performance at the Nutshuis in The Hague. Producer, Anne-Perine van der Torren, sounds the gong.

For more information: www.plukdenacht.nl

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Assistance dogs Europe sounds gong for International Assistance Dog Week

By sounding the gong Caroline Vink opens trading together with Viktor, the assistance dog that accompanies her beside the wheelchair. The gong is sounded for the International Assistance Dog Week.

The International Assistance Dog Week  is an excellent opportunity to generate world-wide interest in assistance dogs: dogs that help and assist people with a visual, hearing, physical or psychological disability in their daily lives, and medical alert dogs that support people with diabetes or epilepsy. Assistance Dogs Europe (ADEu), the European Chapter of Assistance Dogs International, is a well-established forum for European organisations involved in the training of assistance dogs. “The most important function of ADEu is to assure the quality of the work of its member organisations”, says Elma Burg, coordinator of ADEu, “and the consequent provision for certified assistance dog partnerships to have unhindered access to shops, restaurants and hotels, something that has already been legally regulated in the United States”.

This week is also an opportunity to raise awareness for the importance of these dogs for people with a disability. “My dog helps me to regain independence and self-sufficiency”, says Caroline Vink, “and effectively reduces my need for professional care and help from my support network. My assistance dog Viktor is ready to help me 24/7!”

For more information: assistancedogseurope.org

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Gong draws attention for Ronald McDonald Huis AMC Amsterdam

The gong sounds for Ronald McDonald Huis AMC Amsterdam. Francois Mulkens, board member of this Dutch House of the international Ronald McDonald House Charities, calls out to all companies to become ‘friend’ of Ronald McDonald Huis AMC Amsterdam. This House enables families of hospitalized children to stay in the vicinity of their child in Emma Kinderziekenhuis AMC. It receives no subsidies and depends on the generosity of volunteers and donors.

Ronald McDonald Huis AMC Amsterdam opened in 1985, as the first Ronald McDonald Huis in the Netherlands and Europe. To mark its 30th anniversary next year, Ronald McDonald Huis AMC Amsterdam invites 30 companies to become their ‘friend’. For an annual contribution of € 1.500 ‘friends’ for three years get the exclusive opportunity to organise events for personnel and business associates. Whether it’s through fundraising or volunteering, as a corporate sponsor you will be a vital part of helping to deliver comfort and care to children and their families. Ronald McDonald Houses are homes-away-from home. They are filled with more than help, they’re filled with hope. Become a friend of Ronald McDonald Huis AMC Amsterdam and allow families to stay together, to help kids heal and cope better.

For more information: www.kinderfonds.nl/amc 

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Amsterdam Gay Pride sounds gong for Gay Pride 2014

A colourful and multicultural group of Moroccan and Jewish gays and transgenders open trading at Beursplein 5 by traditionally sounding the gong. They mark the nineteenth edition of the Amsterdam Gay Pride (AGP), which will last until Sunday August 3^rd.

Irene Hemelaar, content director of the AGP sounds the gong accompanied by representatives of the Stichting Art. 1, who initiated the Moroccan boat, organizers of the LGBT Jewish festival Exodays and a small delegation of transgenders who organized this year’s first edition of TransPride. She is proud that this year’s Pride is more inclusive due to the participation of Moroccan, Jewish and transgender organizations: “It shows that the Amsterdam Gay Pride could be a platform for the marginalized voices regardless of gender or cultural identity.”

Amsterdam Gay Pride 2014 has the highest number of international participants which contributes to its efforts to become more cultural and gender-inclusive. This year’s theme is 'Listen' and focusses on human rights in general and tolerance, acceptance and equality for the LGBT community (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) in particular.

For more information: www.amsterdamgaypride.org

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Sounding of the gong marks start of Sneekweek

The sounding of the gong by Gerlof van der Werf, Managing Director Public Relations & Sponsoring KWS, marks the start of the Sneekweek. The Sneekweek is the largest sailing regatta on inner lakes of Europe and is having its 79^th edition. Over 1600 participants in 35 differents classes will compete for the champion trophy from August 1-7. Organising committee is the Royal Yacht Club Sneek.

The races will be held on the Sneekermeer, with more than 100 volunteers ensuring all will be flawless. The Royal Yacht Club Sneek is financially supported by main sponsor Lipton Ice Tea (Unilever) and sub sponsors Gaastra Pro Gear, Snakewear, Sony, Rabobank, Brunel, Heineken and Veenema/Texaco.

For more information: www.sneekweek.nl

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Sounding of the gong marks start of preparations for Amsterdam Helps

The Present Foundation opens trading by sounding the gong, exactly three months before the official start of the cooperation between the Foundation Present, Neighbours Network and Serve the City. Together, they will coordinate around 5000 Amsterdam-based volunteers who will make the city nicer, cleaner and more helpful. Volunteers are linked to practical care needs of vulnerable fellow citizens of Amsterdam.

By joining forces, this enthusiastic group of people can now make an even bigger difference. The first joint project is the Christmas gift operation "Christmas for the City”, where many will set off with a well-filled gift set to fight loneliness at Christmas time. This operation will be launched on October 30^th.  Coordinator Carlo de Waal sounds the gong.

For more information: www.burennetwerk.nl, www.stcamsterdam.nl, www.presentamsterdam.nl

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Dutch Skin Foundation calls attention to skin diseases by sounding the gong

By sounding the gong, the Dutch Skin Foundation calls attention to over one million patients with a skin disease in The Netherlands. This number is increasing due to lifestyle and aging. Skin cancer is a good example. Many patients suffer because of their skin disease and barely step out. Shame may play a role. Our society underestimates their burden.

National Skin Foundation is an independent charitable organization that puts up a vigorous fight against skin diseases. It does so with scientific research and improvement of health care. These activities require a lot of money. The Dutch Skin Foundation is entirely dependent on donations, gifts and grants. Managing director, John de Korte and Chairman of the Supervisory Board, Roland Koopman, sound the gong.

For more information: www.huidfonds.nl 

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Natuur & Milieu sounds gong for World Nature Conservation Day

In context of World Nature Conservation Day, Natuur & Milieu Foundation sounds the gong with a focus on the organisation’s summer campaign ‘Sun Seeks Roof’ (Zon Zoekt Dak). This summer, Natuur & Milieu offers solar panels at a historically low price, to anyone seeking to benefit from the sunny weather.
Over the past three years, consumers have purchased 40 000 solar panels through Natuur & Milieu’s solar energy campaigns. These 40 000 solar panels generate an average of over 8 million kWh per year. This saves the Netherlands approximately 9000 tons of CO2 emissions, which translates to driving 42 million kilometers with an average car.

Olof van der Gaag, Campaigns Director at Natuur & Milieu, who sounds the gong,: “Solar panels do offer guarantees for the future. For example, when you invest 4,250 euros in our solar panels, the return of investment is 20,000 euros in 25 years.” While the number of homes with panels is doubled, the prices are halved. Van der Gaag: "It's amazing how fast the price of panels have dropped. With our first campaign in 2011, the purchase of 10 panels cost € 6000, which was a very competitive price at that time. Now, you can buy 18 panels for the same amount.”

For more information: www.zonzoektdak.nl

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Unilever The Netherlands sounds gong for the return of the OLA WINNER TACO

OLA proudly presents her new acquisition, the return of the Winner Taco, by sounding the gong. After a great demand from the Dutch consumer, the well-known bear snack is back.

After almost ten years of absence, the polar bear returns. OLA is reintroducing the Winner Taco ice cream: a sweet taco filled with ice-cream, caramel sauce and covered with chocolate and nuts. OLA is part of ‘the Heartbrand’, the most famous ice-cream logo in the world. In 1997 Unilever created the heart symbol as a main symbol for all her ice creams brands. Meantime the heart logo is now worldwide known in more than 50 countries. The most popular OLA ice cream brands are Magnum, Cornetto, Calippo and Raket. Unilever is listed on Euronext (ticker symbol: UNIA). Category Manager Out-of-Home Ice Cream, Jasper Spaargaren, sounds the gong.

For more information: www.unilever.com