Our Introduction
Hans Jansen – The driving force behind Connection Circle
With an impressive career in special education, innovative pedagogy, and social change management, Hans Jansen is a man of vision and decisiveness. As emeritus professor and former professor of Pedagogical Innovation and Ethics, he is passionately committed to connection, inclusivity, and cultural enrichment in Amstelveen.
His role at Connection Circle
Hans is the chair of OntmoetingLokaal, located at Ouderkerkerlaan 14, and maintains valuable connections with local and international partners. He works tirelessly to bring together people from different cultures, backgrounds, and generations, prioritizing respect, tolerance, and creativity. Under his leadership, OntmoetingLokaal has grown into a vibrant meeting place where local residents and Amstelveen residents find space for personal and collective growth.
What Connection Circle means to Hans
For Hans, it’s all about strengthening social cohesion. He strives to ensure that OntmoetingLokaal visitors feel seen and part of a community where everyone can be themselves. Hans believes that real change comes from the strength of local residents themselves, and he encourages them to take control of their own living environment.
With his passion for connection and tireless dedication, Hans Jansen is living proof that a community grows stronger when we connect and create new possibilities together.
Email: voorzitter@ontmoetinglokaal.nl
Phone:
Fons Bonink – Connector
Fons Bonink is a passionate independent professional working under the name Solid Bone. With years of experience in managing (IT) projects and leading departments, he is the link between technology and people. Outside of work, Fons is an active family man and a dedicated volunteer. He is a former chairman of Giving Back Amsterdam, where he dedicated himself to mentoring talented students. He is also the founder of JCI Amsterdam International, a network for young international students, and has made a significant contribution as treasurer of KunstLokaal SAKB. With his strong financial acumen, ability to connect people, and openness to cultural diversity, Fons is a true bridge-builder.
His Role at Connection Circle
As treasurer, board member, and event planner, Fons ensures that everything runs smoothly at International OntmoetingLokaal. His organizational talent and enthusiasm make him an indispensable member of the team.
What does Connection Circle mean to Fons?
For Fons, OntmoetingLokaal is a place where energy and connection are central. A place where people with different backgrounds and talents come together to get to know each other and participate in activities together. Amstelveen, with its international character and diverse communities, sometimes feels divided. OntmoetingLokaal aims to bring these different groups together. “If you give something, you get something beautiful in return,” says Fons. For him, it’s all about connecting. He feels proud to be a “Connector” and is fully committed to this inspiring community.
Email: fons.bonink@ontmoetinglokaal.nl
Phone: 06-30002291
Irene Doorenbos – Creative and Practical “Jack of All Trades”
Irene Doorenbos is a versatile creative: a photographer, writer, and painter, but above all, a practical person. Years ago, she started as secretary at SAKB KunstLokaal, a position she held with great pleasure for eleven years. After a short break, she returned to the board, this time as a minutes secretary and “jack of all trades.” Irene has since left SAKB and is dedicating her energy and talents as a jack of all trades at International Connection Circle.
Her role at Connection Circle
At International Connection Circle, Irene is a jack of all trades. She ensures the building’s appearance by taking care of everything from skirting boards to walls. She also captures all events with her camera, so that the activities are visible. Her large, colorful paintings adorn the hall and add extra vibrancy. Because Irene lives “around the corner,” she also handles key management.
What does Connection Circle mean to her?
For Irene, OntmoetingLokaal is all about having fun and building something beautiful together. She enjoys collaborating with a group of skilled and enthusiastic people, where everyone does what they do best. She finds great satisfaction in contributing in her own way, whether through painting, photography, or other practical tasks. For Irene, International Connection Circle is a place where connection is paramount, and where she enjoys contributing.
Email: @ontmoetinglokaal.nl
Phone:
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Dolly Pieterson – A Creative Jack-of-all-trades
Dolly Pieterson is a contemporary photographic artist with a unique vision. Her work combines a love of photography with influences from classical art, surrealism, and Greek mythology. She has a keen eye for detail and a unique gift for telling stories through her images.
One of her most impressive projects is the Spiegelogie series, which she has been working on for three years. For this art project, Dolly photographs people with visible or invisible imperfections. With Spiegelogie, she aims to hold up a mirror: to show the participants how beautiful they are and to inspire viewers to look differently at what “beautiful” is. Dolly emphasizes that everyone, despite their differences, is human and therefore valuable. Her goal is to create greater understanding and connection by sharing the participants’ stories in a visual, artistic way.
Her Role at Connection Circle
At Connection Circle, Dolly is responsible for the design. Over the past few months, she and the team have been working on furnishing the space, including the kitchen, the sound and visual system, and the exhibition wall in the main hall. She also handles press releases, organizes various activities, and supports the creative image of Connection Circle.
What Connection Circle means to her
For Dolly, Connection Circle is a place where connection is central. It’s a space where people from different backgrounds come together to get to know each other and participate in activities together. Dolly sees Connection Circle as a platform to bring communities in Amstelveen, which often stay within their own circles, closer together. “We are all different, but we are all human. That’s what unites us,” she says.
With her creativity and vision, Dolly Pieterson brings not only beauty but also a message of humanity and understanding to Connection Circle.
Email: @ontmoetinglokaal.nl
Phone:
Masako Higashi – Connecting East and West
Masako Higashi was born and raised in Tokyo, Japan. After a corporate career in both Tokyo and the Netherlands, she decided to share her passion for Japanese culture with others. In 2009, Masako began teaching Ikebana (the art of Japanese flower arranging) and Japanese language. Her deep knowledge of Japanese traditions and her unique teaching style make her a valuable bridge between East and West.
Her Role at Connection Circle
At Connection Circle, Masako teaches Ikebana and Japanese language. Her workshops and courses offer participants a unique opportunity to discover the beauty and refinement of Japanese culture.
What does Connection Circle mean to her?
“East meets West!” says Masako enthusiastically. For her, Connection Circle is a place where cultures come together, inspire and enrich each other. It’s an environment where traditions and stories are shared, and new connections are formed.
With her dedication and passion, Masako contributes to OntmoetingLokaal’s mission: to provide a space where everyone is welcome and where cultural exchange is central.
Email: @ontmoetinglokaal.nl
Phone:
Introducing: Mussie Haile
Mussie Haile is 46 years old and comes from Eritrea, an East African country with impressive mountains, vast deserts, and a long coastline on the Red Sea. He grew up in a small village where everyone knew each other. As a child, he dreamed of a quiet life, perhaps as a farmer or shepherd. Life turned out differently than expected, but those experiences have shaped him into who he is today.
At a young age, he joined the army, where he learned to persevere, cooperate, and care for others, even in difficult circumstances. After seventeen years, he made the courageous choice to flee, seeking freedom and safety. Via Sudan, Libya, Italy, and Germany, he finally ended up in the Netherlands. Here, he found peace, a new beginning, and a place where he feels welcome.
What does Connection Circle mean to him?
At OntmoetingLokaal, he has rediscovered that warmth and connection.
He enjoys providing coffee, tea, and treats at events here. For him, this is more than just a job: it’s a way to welcome people, offer a moment of attention, and contribute to a pleasant atmosphere.
He looks forward to meeting you, pouring a cup of coffee or tea, and sharing a pleasant moment together.