Ir. Leo van Gelder

Prof. Dr. Barbara Oomen, host speaker 

Peer de Rijke 

Peer de Rijke, Sandra Pellegrom, Karen van Gemerden - van Burg

Yuka Yoshida, Wageningen University Research.

Hans Waardenberg, Waardenberg Ecology

International Symposium  

13.00-13.05 DUTCH TIME | 8PM JPT | Welcome

• Prof. Dr. Barbara Oomen – Watersnoodmuseum (Flood Museum)

Welcome - words to guest and Blue Line Foundation as initiator of this seminar. And special guests from the Netherlands, Japan and England. 

13:05–13:15 | Introduction ‘Johannis de Rijke and the New Watermasters’

• Ir. Leo van Gelder – Stichting Blauwe Lijn

Welcome to special guest Ambassador Mr. Rokuichiro Michii Embassy Japan in the Netherlands and the international gathering of students, researchers, professors, water professionals and partners from the Netherlands, Japan and England. Stichting Blauwe Lijn introduces the purpose of the symposium: connecting lessons from the past with the challenges of the future and exploring how international cooperation can contribute to resilient water and landscapes towards 2100.

13:15–13:25 | The Challenge Towards 2100 – A World Under Pressure

• Prof. Dr. Albert Klein Tank – Delta Climate Centre

Floods, drought, heat, wildfires, typhoons, sea-level rise and changing climate patterns are placing increasing pressure on societies and landscapes around the world. No country, discipline or generation can address these challenges alone. How can we strengthen cooperation between knowledge, policy and practice – and learn from the experiences of previous generations? Integral design, interdisciplinary-approaches and students are the keys for the future.

13:25–13:30 | Introduction to our Japanese Guests (online – connection)

Introduction Japanese guests by:

• Drs. Richard Cornelis de Boer (from Japan)
• Ir. Toon van der Klugt (Blue Line Foundation from Japan)

Introduction of Richard’s and Japanese contribution to the project Johannis de Rijke, and a special welcome and short introduction to the Japanese partners and participants joining the symposium, both in person and online. Impression of Toon van der Klugt in Japan.

13:30–13.40 | Johannis de Rijke – A Legacy Connecting Japan and the Netherlands

• Helenus (Peer) de Rijke – descendant of Johannis de Rijke 

Peer de Rijke and Karen introduce the Johannis de Rijke project briefly and reflect on their journey through Japan from 1 September to the end of September 2026, travelling together with the TU Delft students and Dr. Luca Iuorio. During this journey, the story and memories of Johannis de Rijke were shared with many new Japanese friends, connecting his historical work in Japan with today’s generation of Dutch and Japanese students, researchers and water professionals. The journey became more than a historical exploration: it created new personal connections and brought the legacy of Johannis de Rijke into a new generation of cooperation between Japan and the Netherlands.

13.40-13.50 | Japanese water management

• [follows]

13.50-14.10: New perspectives on Delta Solutions - Study Kakamigahara City - Workshop Westerschelde Delta Climate Centre

• Ir. Luca Iuorio TU Delft Delta Urbanism, Urbanism
• Interdisciplinary groep 15 students TU Delft
• Ing. Oswald Lagendijk

The historical connection between the Netherlands and Japan through Johannis de Rijke – and to today’s New Watermasters 2026.

• Explanation of the work and the perspective of Delta Urbanism of the TU Delft (Luca)
• Explanation of the study case Kakamighara City (15 students of the TU Delft 2026
• The results from the workshop Westerschelde Delta Climate Centre (7 October - Oswald Lagendijk)

14:10–14.40 | Panel session – looking at studies for the future by Japanese and Dutch experts (online – connection)

Panel members: Research in the Netherlands – Water Management and Landscape

1. Ir. Koos Wieriks, former advisor Ministry of Infrastructure and Water, former advisor of King W.A van Oranje;
• What are the experiences from the time as advisor for the King of the Netherlands with Japan? And how do you see the cooperation between Japan and the Netherlands in these years and for the future?
2. Drs. Jos van Alphen, former member of the National Deltaprogramme;
• How were you involved with the Japanese – Dutch cooperation during within the Deltaprogramme and how do you see this future cooperation, and the place of students, PhD-researchers and Japanese – Dutch partners.

1. Ir. Taichi Fujii (from Japan – ONLINE) - PhD - researcher;
• On what kind of research are you going to work on at the TU Delft in upcoming 10 months?
2. Yuka Yoshida - PhD – researcher;
• On what kind of research are you working on considering the waterproblems in the Netherlands and Japan?
3. Mr. Kaoru Fujii – Society of the Aqua City Osaka (from Japan – ONLINE)
• How can students and researchers learn from Johannis de Rijke in Osaka and the Yodo-river?

14.40–14:50 | Reflection on Japan - Netherlands coöperation, past and future

• Ambassador Mr. Michii, Japanese Embassy of Japan in the Netherlands - reservation

14.50-15.15 | COFFEE BREAK

15:15-16.00 | The Study Group of 1972 – Rediscovering a Forgotten Vision 

(in Dutch, translation if needed)

• Drs. Hans Waardenburg (Waardenburg Ecology
• Ing. Ruud Louwes (Rho ADVISEURS)

In 1972, a group of young TU Delft students developed ideas for the future of Zeeland and the Oosterschelde. Their study “Zeeuws Meer?” reflected a generation that dared to think beyond existing boundaries. Fifty-four years later, their work offers an opportunity to reflect on how young professionals can contribute to long-term thinking about water, landscape and society.

16:00–16:05: Serious Game – Flood Museum -

• Prof. Dr. Barbara Oomen – Flood Museum

16.05-16.35 | Special moment for the students 1972 - 2026

• ‘Secret – activity’ with special guests

16.35 - 17.00 | Wrap-up – Lessons for the Future - Looking at international cooperation Netherlands - Japan - England

• Ir. Leo van Gelder - Blue Line Foundation
• Prof. Dr. Barbara Oomen – Flood Museum 
• Ing. dr. Luca Iuorio
• Drs. Anne – Beth Derks (England)

• How to take away the lessons for the future to international cooperation?
• What can we take away for the cooperation for Japan and the Netherlands?
• And for the Netherlands and England?

Reflection on the student research and on how an interdisciplinary and international approach can contribute to thinking about water and landscapes towards 2100. The session also explores opportunities to develop this approach further through cooperation between students, researchers, governments, ministries and international knowledge networks.

What can we learn from the generations before us? From Johannis de Rijke, to the 1972 TU Delft generation, to the New Watermasters of 2026, several lessons emerge: the importance of integral thinking and doing, collaboration across disciplines and generations, and connecting knowledge with practice. 

The symposium closes with a perspective towards 2100 and the possibility of developing a stronger international knowledge programme connecting the Netherlands, Japan, England and wider international networks.

16.55 – 17.00 | Closing

• Leo van Gelder
• Barbara Oomen

17.00-17.30 | Drinks