TFTA : Who is Hendrik van der Ham?
Hendrik : People call me the visionary who realizes his dreams. I grew up on ships. My parents navigated the ship with all kinds of cargo and later with containers on the Rhine. In other words, I am very familiar with the dynamics of water. I wanted to study, three studies at the same time: communication, psychology and cultural anthropology, but I have gained all my knowledge during my life and have not been put in the well-known boxes. I had a communication agency. I have coached many people for psychology and I started writing books about psychology after doing a lot of research. I love cultures, have already traveled a bit and want to see much more, but I have come to understand cultures, which is very valuable in general and specifically for me. I even met Indian Guru’s. My technical background leaded me to start my bridge building company BRIDGES2000, now 25 years ago, with which we deliver bridges throughout Europe, but also in this area. And the bridges, gangways and other products that we build are made of materials that can be reused, namely aluminum, good for the environment.
TFTA : SEVENTH is an ambitious project inspired by Atlantis and emerged from a lucid dream. Can you tell us more about the origin of this dream and how it contributed to the creation of SEVENTH?
Hendrik :That is partly true, I wanted to know more about Atlantis and traveled to the Bahamas where Atlantis came up again, to go diving and see with my own eyes the very large stones under the sea. This was the time and place where the dreams came. Of course Seventh has another connection with Atlantis, namely with the promise that our culture does not have to perish. There on that Bahamas island, in a small fisherman’s hut I had 40 lucid dreams for 40 nights in a row. In my dreams I was dressed in white kandora and I walked in a large floating glass pyramid every night to the first floor. It floated somewhere on the sea. Night after night I received different kinds of information and the assignment to build 70 pyramids worldwide. Seventh is the plan that must come to fruition.
TFTA : SEVENTH stands for “The Other Way of Living”. What does this mean to you and how do you see this changing the future of communities and societies?
Hendrik : Seventh will be the facility where we can realize “The Other Way of Living” together with many groups of people, next to scientists and students and governments. Look, in the last century I saw many people around my father die from serious illnesses. I started investigating it further and discovered that people often do not get better from the medicines that are available now and how they are treated in hospitals. I also saw that many people remained disabled for years or for their entire lives. In other words, they had no quality of life. I wanted to change that and in 2002 and in the 22 years that followed the answers came. I now know that we can do it differently and create a more ethical world around us, so that almost everyone can experience quality of life. And that is not about money, but about being mobile, being able to have beautiful earthly experiences. No hunger, no war and no “jumping to” conclusions, but listening to each other and first having a plan of requirements for how we want the world of tomorrow to look like. In addition, “The Other Way of Living” also includes a “New Circular Economy” that is needed to change our economy in such a way that a more ethical society can still be commercial. Societies will change to be more supportive of each other to have quality experiences.
TFTA : The design of SEVENTH includes pyramids and a merkaba structure. What is the meaning of these geometric shapes and how do they contribute to the well-being of the visitors or residents of the island?
Hendrik :In principle, Seventh brings back a lot of old knowledge to reuse for realizing a very healthy living and working environment on the floating island. The geometric shape of pyramids supports the shape of the human being. If we place the 7 pyramids correctly, a kind of merkaba is created, where people immediately feel at home. It will also be the best place becoming healthy, as the merkaba improves environmental healing. It goes faster and brings a profound improvement to our lives. It’s safe to say that the quality of life for every visitor is enhanced, if only because of the beautiful gardens and impressive views.
TFTA : SEVENTH aims to promote a healthy lifestyle and sustainable practices. What specific measures will be taken to ensure that the project remains a model for resilient, sustainable societies?
Hendrik : Seventh will indeed be an example for future urbanisation. In the future, we will increasingly build and live on water. By the way, people will not feel any movement. Various studies have been conducted for safety, including on getting to the island by electric transport through the tunnel and over the bridge. The resilient, sustainable society will be created over time and by making the right choices. Seventh can adapt, walls can be moved and functions can change. But within Seventh, we have also chosen not to be completely self[1]sufficient, because this is one of the biggest problems in our contemporary society, “jumping to” conclusions. Together with the Shared Humanity Center, we want to ensure a plan that meets the requirements of tomorrow on all sides before we start executing. In addition, there will be a number of research centres within Seventh, where we will conduct research. And Seventh as a facility is initially formed and re-formed, because we work with so many groups that provide input.
TFTA : You have emphasized the importance of resilient sustainability in your vision of future societies. What do you think are the most important elements for building societies that can thrive in the long term?
Hendrik : Sustainable societies that will be build in the future, will have to go hand in hand with not incorporating modern intelligence, but looking at nature and the nature of man. Many previously applied techniques are much better, than the short-sightedly developed contemporary equipment. Not that we have not made good tools and other things, but in my opinion it can be much better, by developing from a different point of view. Sustainable also means that something works, while the sun does not provide energy and without batteries. We have forgotten a lot. And if we look at the animal world and at several indigenous peoples who still live close to nature, we will have to adopt a lot of that. And for long-term survival we will have to think about the energy of man and how we can use it to stay alive as long as possible and also have a high-quality experience. And remember my quote: “Sustainable societies start with healthy bodies and minds.”
TFTA : SEVENTH has a Shared Humanity Centre to design the world of tomorrow. What role do you see for this centre in promoting global collaboration and innovation?
Hendrik : The Shared Humanity Centre will be the NGO helping to realize “The Other Way of Living”, so the world will become a better place. Students from all universities in the world and scientists will brainstorm in the Centre to develop government programmes. This will happen all year round, which means that in Seventh COP will actually take place all year round. There is also an SDG park and there are various experience event centres, in addition to the larger conferences that Seventh will host. Global collaborations are emerging at the higher levels, and at the level of music, sports and culture. But we should not forget what is now less visible, that scientists who are connected and also universities can do this. Seventh will be that missing link, which will once again make it possible to obtain global collaborations in areas that are necessary to realise a truly sustainable world.
TFTA : SEVENTH pretends to be the link between different governments and that negotiations will be conducted at presidential level. How do you see this role coming into effect for SEVENTH?
Hendrik : What is made visible in dreams and visions really comes from the highest level. We cannot do anything else here than listen to God, whatever name he bears, because he is the greatest of all. I have been told that Dubai will play this important role in implementing the greatest changes in the history of the world today. And I have been told that tomorrow’s agreements between the leaders of various countries will be happening here. Under the great pyramid hang 60 rooms in which meetings can be held in the most modern way and in which representatives of 60 countries can also be present. They can listen to the people on the stage and be used interactively. Voting is also possible. Seventh will then be the stage for the Summits G20 and G8.
TFTA : Your company SEVENTH PROJECT MANAGEMENT WORLDWIDE connects all partners. How do you see the future and your role as SEVENTH is built and as you say positioned?
Hendrik : It is correct that this company now connects all kinds of partners and we also enter into discussions with all authorities and the highest levels in the country. The vision of Seventh is very much in line with the UAE 2031 vision and the Centennial 2071 goals. Because of the vision of Seventh and “The Other Way of Life” I have to stay for 10 years as chairman of Seventh. In that role I will do my utmost to achieve all objectives, to uphold the vision and to make the connections for Dubai and the UAE, because the other 9 will be managed from Dubai.
TFTA : SEVENTH in Dubai is being built in a special way. How fast is that construction going and also of the other nine? And where can we find more information?
Hendrik : That’s right, if everything goes ahead, only God knows, it will be built in a very special way in Dubai. We will do that in a temporary drydock with all kinds of pop-up factories around it, so that construction can be done quickly and there is no inconvenience for the very beautiful and special location that Seventh will have. We will bring it over water into place with companies like Boskalis who also built the Jumeirah Palm. The next nine will first be partially prepared and then finished near their final location. Construction time is of course depend on permits and all other factors, but if everything goes smoothly through all kinds of authorities, Seventh can even be built in 4 years and the other 9 within a period of 20 years. Seventh, although the information provided is still sketchy, can be found everywhere: linkedin, seventh.nu website and seventhprojectdevelopment. com website and IG on Seventh_ Worldwide