On my second day in the Netherlands, May 12th, the day started sweetly with a chance to taste local Dutch chocolates. While neighboring European countries hold more prestige for their cocoa-flavored desserts, the Netherlands imports the largest cacao bean in the world. To engage and understand how local chocolates can offer a sustainable future for Dutch markets, the Plus3 group experienced a chocolate tasting while the store owner explained the history of each chocolate. The rich flavors were compounded with the variety of details the owner delved into. The chocolates at her store ensured all chocolate workers received a livable wage. The chocolates at the store either came from local producers or chocolatiers from abroad who ensure zero child labor. Sustainability requires going beyond the bare minimum and instead involves offering all people involved a chance to grow and support themselves. A company known as FairTrade attempts to mark foods that offer fair wages for employees, but the minimums set by the company are often far below the necessary amount in a country to ensure workers can survive off of the income. American companies use the FairTrade certification, but this symbol is not enough to ensure global sustainability. Going beyond the minimums allows for people across the globe to get involved in further sustainability actions. Spending on companies that denote equity within their business practices can empower the future of sustainable societies.

After taking a tour around the city to explore the history of Amsterdam the group eventually traveled along a canal tour and followed the trip with a visit to the local vendors and shopping centers–like the Magna Plaza and Jumbo. The rich variety of intermixed designs helps integrate the widespread diversity present within Amsterdam. The buildings across Amsterdam look so varied because of the several periods of development the city went through, as discussed on the walking and canal tours. The Jodenbuurt, or the Jewish district, carries a variety of stalls and vendors, with a revival of the sector following the end of World War II. The city also has several churches scattered across the streets, even if the buildings appear hidden. While the Netherlands, like the United States, accepts all religions, the rule of thumb in Amsterdam is that places of religious worship should not blare outwards. To ensure religious diversity, architecture was designed to hide all the beauty of the buildings within the expansive and gorgeous temples, cathedrals, synagogues, and other places of worship. While the core values of diversity exist in America, the ways of expressing these themes vary within Amsterdam.

The various architecture present within Jodenbuurt

Following a hearty dinner, I ventured with a group to Amstelpark to understand the green spaces present within Amsterdam. The area featured a biodiverse landscape involving several avian fauna, notably several Eurasian Moorhen. The vast ponds and open waters allowed several animals to occupy the area comfortably. People within the park also created several art pieces, which were seen through the Shadow Garden. This display involved several African trees to describe the changes between humans and nature, and provided further diversity with the local plant scene. The park demonstrated Amsterdam’s focus on symbiosis, a positive relationship between nature and humans, within the designs of the parks and other nature-based locations.