We learn all about Canada2Leaf, a Dutch network for Canada-fans and speak with media artist Irwin Oostindie about Dutch best practices at Vancouver's W2 Arts and Media Centre. And: Cycling through Holland (7)! Tom Bijvoet talks about the benefits of Dutch bicycles. While in the Netherlands bicycles are mainly a way of transportation, in Canada biking is seen as a sport. According to Tom, Canada needs more Dutch bicycles, because they are more comfortable and make biking more fun compared to Canadian bicycles. Also, biking is good for the environment and it is a free exercise. Advise from Tom: put away all the funny gear, and put the focus on more cycle paths in Western Canada. We meet Janine Peters, founder of Canada2Leaf: a network for people who feel connected to Canada. The monthly Canada2Leaf meetings are for all Canada-enthusiasts: Canadian expats living in the Netherlands, people who lived in Canada for a while or, for example, people who have relatives in Canada. Every second Tuesday of the month, members meet in a pub in Amsterdam. Fans can register on the website (http://www.canada2leaf.org/) free of charge to get a member status. This status enables commenting on the website, and receiving the monthly newsletter. As a "friend" of Canada2Leaf -- the next membership level - you contribute to the "Make a wish' foundation of the Netherlands. Irwin Oostindie is a Media Artist and the Executive Director of W2 Community Media Arts Society. The W2 building (the Woodwards complex) is located in the middle of Vancouver, next to the Downtown East Side and was originally a famous department store. Now it is redeveloped to a retail, shopping and community centre. The W2 community centre specializes in technology and art, and brings Vancouverites from different communities together. Irwin is of Dutch descent, but was born in North Vancouver, so he considers himself Dutch-Canadian. After a 'best practices research' he designed the W2 centre to a Dutch model, like Pakhuis de Zwyger, De Waag Society and the V2 centre in the Netherlands. Irwin describes how innovation is left to the market in Vancouver, and that there is a need for public investment. There is an equal need for solutions for housing, work safety and guaranteed employment. His view on being an artist in BC? "To live in poverty". The W2 recently acquired an ancient letter press, which is maintained courtesy of Dick Kouwenhoven, of Hemlock printing. Dutch innovation in design and expertise in printing are thus combined in the W2 atelier. W2 offers tech courses, e.g. final cut editing and social media smack in the middle of the poorest neighbourhood in Canada. Irwin's goal is to support and train people who don't have access to modern technology, because he believes in communication as a human right. Modern technology is not just freedom of expression, it helps you to get and keep a job, stay in touch with family etc. If one does not have access to technology, one needs public resources to provide access. His main clientele is the indigenous community of the Downtown East Side (DTES). check out the W2 at http://www.creativetechnology.org/ In Cycling through Holland, part 7, Aaron and Victoria summarize their trip before heading home. As independent producers, we don't receive any funding or grants, so we rely solely on sponsors and donations by viewers like you. Please check our website and click on "donation" if you would like to help us or contact tuliptv@abcofilm.com if you or your company are interested in sponsoring the show. You can find our social media on https://www.facebook.com/TulipTV and https://twitter.com/tuliptvshow. Have a great week and bring a touch of orange into your life! Produced by http://abcofilm.com/ for http://tuliptv.com/. This episode was first broadcast on July 21, 2012.

• published: 24 Jul 2012
• views: 584