New Mobility Foundation International (NMFI) tackles mobility poverty globally!
Lack of mobility impacts hundreds of millions of people globally. This impacts health, chances in the labour market and integration. On feb 14th, the New Mobility Foundation International(NMFI) was launched with the aim to improve mobility of vulnerable groups worldwide. Founding board members, Matthias Wissmann, former President of the International Organization of Motor Vehicle Manufacturers (OICA) and Erik Jonnaert, Secretary General of the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA) met in Paris with Jan Peter Balkenende, the former Dutch Prime Minister and Steven van Eijck, the chairman of the Royal RAI Association(RAI) to discuss their ambitions.
Dutch Initiative in alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals
The NMFI is the extension of the Dutch initiative New Mobility Foundation (NMF) that was established in November 2016 by the RAI, the Major Alliance(MA) and the Noaber Foundation with the aim to improve mobility in the Netherlands. To this effect, the NMF stimulates and supports mobility projects for vulnerable people whose daily life is challenged by lack of basic transport solutions, such as the elderly, people with a disability, low income or refugee status. These initiatives increase peoples chances in the labour market, enhance integration and improve health. The NMF is fully in support of the UN Sustainable Development Goals 3 “Good health and well- being” and 11 “Sustainable cities and communities”.
Expanded Internationally
NMFI aims at spreading the philosophy and ambitions of NMF through the national member organizations globally. Former Prime Minister of the Netherlands, Jan Peter Balkenende is the current Chair of NMF and will also chair NMFI.
Matthias Wissmann, former President of OICA: “The New Mobility Foundation in the Netherlands can inspire others to tackle the mobility poverty in their countries as a step forwards to create an inclusive and resilient society worldwide, therefore mobility poverty will be placed on the agenda of the next OICA General Assembly meeting in India.”
Erik Jonnaert, Secretary General of the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA): “By supporting innovative initiatives that tackle mobility poverty worldwide, we aim to provide more opportunities in the field of health, education, employment and leisure for these citizens and align with the Sustainable Development Goals.”
Jan Peter Balkenende, Chairman of New Mobility Foundation Netherlands: “The New Mobility Foundation International is a global testing ground where mobility industry, governments and foundations meet to tackle issue of mobility poverty in different parts of the world.”
Steven van Eijck, chairman of Royal RAI Association:” An inclusive society requires a society in which mobility is accessible for all and New Mobility Foundation International uses the power of collaboration, knowledge sharing and new technology to achieve that.”