Mayor of Amsterdam - 2009.

Foreword by Mr. Job Cohen - former Mayor of Amsterdam

Photo: Rahi Rezvani by A-A-P | Victor Alling

Published in 2009

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BOTH AMSTERDAM AND NEW YORK ARE SET APART BY THEIR ENTREPRENEURIAL SPIRIT, TOLERANCE AND OPENNESS TO CREATIVITY AND OTHER FORMS OF FREE THOUGHT AND EXPRESSION, AND BY THE DIVERSITY OF THEIR POPULATIONS.

“In a sense, we’re all from the Netherlands.” These words were spoken by Michael Bloomberg, Mayor of New York, at an event celebrating the 400-year-old ties between his city and Amsterdam. Bloomberg was referring to the fact that the influence of the first Amsterdam natives to build a new life in Manhattan can still be felt to this day, long after the island was more or less coincidentally ‘discovered’ by Henry Hudson. Despite having reigned over the former New Amsterdam for less than forty years, the colonists had a lasting impact on New York’s DNA. Even today, the similarities between the two urban cultures are remarkable. Both Amsterdam and New York are set apart by their entrepreneurial spirit, tolerance and openness to creativity and other forms of free thought and expression, and by the diversity of their populations. The two cities are also regarded - each on their own continent - as centers of social and economic innovationfrom which a great many new trends and developments radiate to their respective areas of influence. Enough reasons, in short, for a grand bilateral commemoration. Since then, theAmsterdam Metropolitan Area has lost little of its appeal and uniqueness as a location for businesses and trade. The very same values we exported so successfully at the time still form the basis for our unique distinguishing qualities. In order to be successful in today’s world, businesses and institutions must be able to enter into new forms of collaboration and – crucially – must continually reinvent themselves. What better place to do so than an inspiring, challenging and distinctive environment with a pleasant human scale.
The Amsterdam Metropolitan Area offers all these qualities. Just like its big sister on the other side of the ocean. The inspiration, it would seem, is mutual. 

Job Cohen
Mayor of Amsterdam
on behalf of my fellow mayors in the
Amsterdam Metropolitan Area