72U Amsterdam

Twelve children from nine different countries (Egypt, China, Romania, Ghana, Israel, Angola, Eritrea, Syria, and US) who recently became Dutch residents have been invited into 72andSunny Amsterdam to attend a five-day workshop during their May Holiday.

Cine Bizzkids is a partnership programme between 72U and Cinekid, the children’s film and TV festival, Fawaka entrepreneurship school and IMC Weekend School on Tour. The children taking part were challenged to make three short films, that once completed will be send in for the Shorts By Kids competition at the Cinekid festival this Fall. 

Together with Zoku, 72U launched a pioneering new creative platform to facilitate meaningful connections. Highlighting the importance of close personal bonds between neighbors and rekindling the neighborly spirit of the past, "Doors of Zoku" will feature a series of talks and workshops, as well as a playful public installation.

Declining social cohesion, growing social isolation and the lack of neighborly ties are amongst the greatest problems facing the citizens of the modern global metropolis. In Amsterdam alone, there is a growing number of people of all ages that experience feelings of being anonymous or lonely (GGD, Health Monitor Amsterdam, 2016). Next to elderly, this group also includes students, expats and immigrants. Amsterdam will continue to urbanize, causing growing anonymity within the city (Theo van Tilburg, Professor Sociology at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, 2017).

To raise awareness for this serious social concern, Zoku and 72U have installed tiny interactive doors at several locations across the city. Passers-by will be drawn to the doors, and upon ringing the doorbells will be greeted by and participate in personal stories among neighbors. The installation will evoke the importance of forming personal relationships with neighbours.

For the future 72U teams:

Check out last Friday’s event at Zoku! 

Where is Brandi?:O