"We must create policy and take action today as if the lives of future generations depend on it. Because they do," says Tessa Roseboom. As the Future Generations Commissioner at Amsterdam UMC, her mission is to make those lives and the interests of future generations audible, visible, and tangible. Today, she symbolically grants them a seat in the House of Representatives’ Committee on Health, Welfare and Sport (VWS) by giving each member a chair and a powerful manifesto.

Chair Mohammed Mohandis and members of the Standing Committee on Health, Welfare and Sport received the chairs in The Hague today, along with the manifesto Tomorrow begins today. Taking future generations into account: it can be done. "Future generations are currently unseen, unheard, and unprotected. Yet we can and must weigh their interests in our current policies and actions," Roseboom states. How? "By giving future generations a voice. By visualizing and making felt the effects they will eventually experience from our decisions—effects that are passed down from generation to generation. By applying the principles of intergenerational justice to protect the health of both current and future generations." The manifesto offers a practical guide for this, based on scientific knowledge.

Beyond hospital walls

Amsterdam UMC works every day toward its mission: ‘a healthy future for everyone.’ "As an academic hospital, we don't just focus our care, research, and education on the patients of today. As a knowledge institute, we also see it as our duty to ensure a living environment in which people can stay healthy," says Roseboom. "This requires us to look outward and toward the future, beyond the hospital walls and beyond the short term. We focus on the places where young life begins and develops, because that is where our investments in health have the greatest impact. We invite policymakers to reinforce this mission. To make a positive contribution to the health of people today and tomorrow, to think in decades, and to shape a future where everyone has a fair chance at health."

Chair Mohammed Mohandis receives a miniature chair from Tessa Roseboom. A selection of the members of the Standing Committee on Health, Welfare and Sport (VWS) are holding the manifesto.
Chair Mohammed Mohandis receives a miniature chair from Tessa Roseboom. A selection of the members of the Standing Committee on Health, Welfare and Sport (VWS) are holding the manifesto.

No one is forgotten

As the world’s first Future Generations Commissioner in an academic hospital, Roseboom gives practical form to this policy every day. "Our knowledge is the foundation—knowledge that we develop and share. We invest in health, prevention, and a healthy, sustainable living environment. To do this, we seek collaboration: with regional health partners and with policymakers in the Netherlands, Europe, and worldwide. We are giving momentum to a broad movement. Because only together can we build a society where no one is forgotten—not even future generations."

The manifesto Tomorrow begins today. Taking future generations into account: it can be done., includes practical recommendations for policymakers. It is part of Amsterdam UMC’s Future Generations magazine (March 2026). In it, you can read how Amsterdam UMC is committed to the health of future generations through care, research, and education. The magazine provides an overview of contributing projects and inspiring interviews with leaders in social impact for a healthy future.

Images: Amsterdam UMC
Originial text (in Dutch): Lara Geeurickx