Closure of the Unda Foundation

After more than 15 years on the 29th of November 2023 the Unda Foundation has been disbanded.
The last board meeting took place at the 17th of November, 2023.
Chairman Robert Rinnooy Kan
Corporate governance consultant, lawyer, entrepreneur.
Three questions about compassion
Is the number of people that act with above-average compassion, equal to the number of people that stay below that average? If that were true then compassion would be measurable, calling into existence a “compassion median”. I don’t believe this is the case.
Still, I like the term “the compassion median”. Our fellowmen determine whether we have acted with or without sufficient compassion. The first question, “Is my behaviour under or above the compassion median?” thereby invites one to reflect upon one’s own behaviour through the eyes of others. This invitation to reflect on one’s own performance increases one’s capability for self cleansing and thereby the likelihood of intrinsic behavioural improvement. The experience of governance of the past 400 years –for the sake of convenience, I have taken the incorporation date of the VOC in 1602 as a starting point– show that regulation and codes of conduct have limited value when it comes to influencing the behaviour of an elected leader. Perhaps we should, therefore, elect our leaders while bearing in mind their track record in showing compassion for others.
The second question “When was the last time that you acted with compassion according to a colleague/subordinate/client/family member/friend/enemy?” may not only be posed to a candidate in a job interview, but also to any other person regardless of his or her role in society. Every day. Every week. Every month. Every year. Nothing prevents someone from regularly asking oneself that question.
Naturally, the third and final (counter) question subsequently arises, “But what is meant by compassion?” The curiosity about the answer to that question in itself increases the chance of more compassionate behaviour. Especially when we submit our answer for review by others.
It makes us all jointly responsible.
Secretary Patty Voorsmit
Entrepreneur and independent adviser in sectors of culture and media.
Flag of Compassion’ is dedicated to encouraging people to think about the notion of compassion.
It is relatively easy to have compassion with like-minded people, but how do we develop empathy for individuals who are fundamentally different from ourselves, and who may challenge our ability to feel compassionate towards them?
According to the Buddhist view of life, a deep sense of compassion leads to the desire to help others, and to become involved in their suffering. However, Plato and Zeno reject the notion of compassion if it involves pity: relationships based on pity detract from their ethical ideal of rational restraint. These philosophers argue that if we lack common sense and wisdom, we sometimes do more harm than good. In short, my own thoughts on compassion have not yet fully matured. I still have many ontological questions, and as a member of the board, I would like to encourage others to join in the discussion of what compassion is, and to explore with them what it means to others and to myself.
Treasurer Pauline Voortman
Human Resources Development (HRD), consultant, entrepreneur.
I find it a fantastic idea to work towards a central and renewed place for the notion of compassion in society, by means of an artwork. The paradox of the conceptual artwork Flag of Compassion, the several elements of the artwork and the choice to not make statements on the meaning of compassion, appeal to me. For the latter, I had to switch my mindset.
As a scientific researcher in the field of trust in organizations, I got used to the concept of ‘construct clarity’. Thus, the Flag offers me a new way of looking and I hope to contribute, via this board position, to the talking about and acting upon compassion in society.
During the years the different board members were:
Marja Bloem 2008 - 2013
Herman Bunjes 2008 - 2013
Anna Tilroe 2008 - 2016
Herman Doeleman 2008 - 2009
Bert Steevensz 2008 - 2016
Suzanne Tesselaar 2008 - 2016
Bob van der Mast 2010 - 2019
Julienne Straatman 2013 - 2016
Frederique Vles-Jager 2014 - 2016
Robert Rinnooy Kan 2014 - 2023
Patty Voorsmit 2016 – 2023
Pauline Voortman 2019 - 2023