
Shaping Impact Together
a joint event by Robeco & Candriam
5 June 2026
Hotel Jakarta, Amsterdam

Impact Investing in an Era of European Strategic Autonomy
Impact investing is entering a new era
Geopolitical shifts, strategic dependencies and a changing transatlantic landscape are accelerating Europe’s need for greater autonomy. In this environment, capital plays a critical role — not only in delivering returns, but in strengthening Europe’s resilience, innovation and long-term competitiveness.
Candriam and Robeco invite you to a joint event where we will explore how impact-driven investment strategies can support a more sovereign and resilient Europe, and why impact investing remains essential in today’s geopolitical reality. Candriam will focus on opportunities in the life sciences space and Robeco will explain how to rethink sovereign debt to finance the climate transition.
Joining us as keynote speaker is Rob de Wijk, founder of The Hague Centre for Strategic Studies (HCSS) and one of the Netherlands’ leading voices on geopolitics and security.
Rob will share his perspective on the shifting global balance of power, the evolving relationship between Europe and the United States, and what Europe’s push for greater strategic autonomy means for investors and markets. Widely known for his media appearances, the popular podcast “Boekestijn en De Wijk” and his book “Amerika en Wij” , he will bring sharp insights into how geopolitical developments are reshaping Europe’s economic and strategic future.
Programme
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Walk-in & Coffee
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Introduction - Giselle Barbosa (Candriam) & Margret Smits (Robeco)
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Keynote presentation
Rob de Wijk, founder of The Hague Centre for Strategic Studies, columnist and podcast host
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Panel discussion: Impact investing in practice
Building Europe’s resilience through capitalRob de Wijk, Keynote speaker
Dirk Schoenmaker – Board member, PFZW & Professor of Banking and Finance, RSM
Daan Spaargaren – Senior Strategist Responsible Investments, PME
Johan van der Biest – Co-Global Head of Equity Management, Candriam
Moderators: Margret Smits, Robeco & Kristof Woutters, Candriam -
Break
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Life Sciences: Transforming Innovation into Impact (Candriam)
Jan van den Bossche, partner in the Life Sciences Team, Andera Partners
Noella de Bermingham, Chief Sustainability Officer, Andera Partners -
Credit, climate and nature: Now together (Robeco)
Lukas Steyn FFA C.Act, Pension & Insurance Solutions Specialist, Investment Solutions, Robeco
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Networking lunch
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End
Presentations & white papers
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Life Sciences: Transforming Innovation into Impact
Presentation Andera Partners
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Structural shift towards European autonomy gains momentum
ARTICLE - CANDRIAM
Recent geopolitical tensions in the Middle East have triggered renewed energy -
The next phase of fixed income transition
Presentation Robeco
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Credit, climate and nature – now together
WHITE PAPER - ROBECO
The next phase of the fixed income transition

