A healthy future for all: that is the mission of Amsterdam UMC. A healthy future does not start in hospital, but, instead, it starts at the beginning of life, in the environment where people are shaped. Our efforts therefore go beyond healthcare, research, and education: we aim to impact society. In the environment where life begins and where people live, because that is where the effects on health can be greatest. We bring knowledge about health to society, raise public awareness, and translate research into real-world solutions for policy and practice. For the people of Amsterdam and worldwide. For our generation and those to come.
‘How can we meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs?’
definition of sustainable development according to the United Nations Brundtland Commission, 1987
Contributing to the health of future generations starts with a simple question: how can we be good ancestors? How can we incorporate the voices of future generations – of people who are not even here yet – into our decision-making and actions today? We do this through Future Design, a method that allows us to look at current issues from the perspective of future generations. It shifts our focus beyond the short term, beyond the barriers and limitations of the present, towards sustainable solutions and responsible choices for the future. This requires imagination and collective courage -and the determination to act in a time that urgently demands it.
Amsterdam UMC works towards a healthy future for all. This also means taking into account the interests of future generations. With our focus on health, we aim to contribute to the international movement dedicated to this goal and will use science to serve society. We will share the insights from our research, driven by our moral ambition as the largest university medical center in the Netherlands.
Investing solely in ‘more healthcare’ as we know it is not enough for a healthy future. We must also invest in public health and prevention, in healthcare professionals who can contribute to these efforts, and in scientifically grounded, sustainable solutions. After all, the most sustainable form of care is care that we never have to provide.
In this magazine, we showcase how we are working towards a healthy future for all and with whom. We do this through seven guiding questions. We hope to inspire you and invite you to join us on our mission
Future Generations | March 2026
© Amsterdam UMC 2026
A healthy future for all: that is the mission of Amsterdam UMC. A healthy future does not start in hospital, but, instead, it starts at the beginning of life, in the environment where people are shaped. Our efforts therefore go beyond healthcare, research, and education: we aim to impact society. In the environment where life begins and where people live, because that is where the effects on health can be greatest. We bring knowledge about health to society, raise public awareness, and translate research into real-world solutions for policy and practice. For the people of Amsterdam and worldwide. For our generation and those to come.
‘How can we meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs?’
definition of sustainable development according to the United Nations Brundtland Commission, 1987
Amsterdam UMC works towards a healthy future for all. This also means taking into account the interests of future generations. With our focus on health, we aim to contribute to the international movement dedicated to this goal and will use science to serve society. We will share the insights from our research, driven by our moral ambition as the largest university medical center in the Netherlands.
Investing solely in ‘more healthcare’ as we know it is not enough for a healthy future. We must also invest in public health and prevention, in healthcare professionals who can contribute to these efforts, and in scientifically grounded, sustainable solutions. After all, the most sustainable form of care is care that we never have to provide.
In this magazine, we showcase how we are working towards a healthy future for all and with whom. We do this through seven guiding questions. We hope to inspire you and invite you to join us on our mission
Contributing to the health of future generations starts with a simple question: how can we be good ancestors? How can we incorporate the voices of future generations – of people who are not even here yet – into our decision-making and actions today? We do this through Future Design, a method that allows us to look at current issues from the perspective of future generations. It shifts our focus beyond the short term, beyond the barriers and limitations of the present, towards sustainable solutions and responsible choices for the future. This requires imagination and collective courage -and the determination to act in a time that urgently demands it.