“Through knowledge sharing, interactive activities, and discussion, we want to bring the concept of ‘Broad Prosperity’ to life so that you can apply it in your day-to-day council work\u2014both now and over the next four years,” said Leonie Hussaarts at the opening of the event. <\/p>\n
![\"\"Broad](\"https:\/\/www.keyregionleiden.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Opening-Leonie-01-1024x768.jpeg\")
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What is well-being?<\/h3>\n
We were guests at the Center for Applied Broad Well-Being at Leiden University of Applied Sciences. Professor Christine Carabain and researcher Robin Philips gave a presentation on the definition of broad well-being and the elements it encompasses. Here are some of the insights they shared: <\/p>\n
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- Comprehensive well-being is about the present, the future, and other places. The latter refers to the question of what effects your policies and choices have elsewhere. <\/li>\n
- Comprehensive well-being puts people first. In real life, all systems are interconnected; therefore, bring together the systemic world (the social domain, spatial development, work and income, etc.) and the everyday world. <\/li>\n
- In some groups and neighborhoods, you see a cumulative effect, which leads to an uneven distribution of the positive and negative consequences of decisions. Preventing this negative cumulative effect can be an important consideration in the decision-making process. <\/li>\n
- Metropolitan issues are becoming increasingly common in smaller communities, even though these communities often lack the budget and resources to address them. A holistic approach to well-being can help achieve a win-win situation through careful, integrated consideration\u2014for example, by identifying the social costs of new projects. <\/li>\n
- Comprehensive well-being is a broad concept. Therefore, choose a specific area to focus on and stick with it for a while: that way, the effects will become visible, and you can begin to expand on it. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
![\"\"Broad](\"https:\/\/www.keyregionleiden.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Werkgroep-01-1024x768.jpeg\")
<\/p>\nNational Survey<\/h3>\n
A national survey (SCP, COB-LISS, August 2025) shows that the concept of broad well-being enjoys broad support: 64% of respondents believe that the ecological consequences of policy are important to consider, 76% believe the same regarding social impacts, and 57% think that a broader view of well-being ultimately improves society. Differences are also evident within the region itself: for example, the comprehensive well-being figures show that Oegstgeest scores the highest on average, while in Leiden, the gap between the highest- and lowest-scoring neighborhoods is the widest. This underscores why a holistic perspective\u2014especially at the neighborhood level\u2014can be so valuable. <\/p>\n
![\"\"Broad](\"https:\/\/www.keyregionleiden.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Werkgroep-02-1024x768.jpeg\")
<\/p>\nGetting Started with a Real-World Case Study<\/h3>\n
After the break, it was time to get to work on a specific case study: the presence of migrant workers in the region. Questions that came up included: <\/p>\n
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- What positive and negative effects can be identified: here, in the future, and elsewhere?<\/li>\n
- What can we do to mitigate negative effects and capitalize on positive ones?<\/li>\n
- Do we see a buildup of negative effects anywhere, and how can we prevent that through policies, measures, and interventions?<\/li>\n
- What procedures are necessary, and in what order?<\/li>\n
- Do we really have a clear enough picture of the needs of migrant workers themselves? Are we asking the right questions at the right time, and are we willing to listen? <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
![\"\"Broad](\"https:\/\/www.keyregionleiden.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Werkvorm-Brede-Welvaart-1024x581.jpg\")
<\/p>\nA Memorable Evening<\/h3>\n
This approach led to fruitful discussions, with room for a wide range of perspectives. In short: a valuable evening that offered a concrete introduction to thinking in terms of broad well-being. <\/p>\n
Be sure to also read the recap below of the previous symposium on Comprehensive Well-Being.<\/p>\n
Terugblik symposium Brede Welvaart<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n