Program
International Systems Workforce Summit II is a high-level, invitation-based summit focusing on the critical role of systems competencies in innovation, economic competitiveness, and major societal transformations.
Building on the outcomes of the first Systems Workforce Summit (2024), the Summit brings together government leaders, industry executives, academic leaders, and professional organisations to address one fundamental question:
How can we build, sustain, and scale the systems-competent workforce required for an increasingly complex, software-defined, and interconnected world?
The program is designed as a strategic dialogue, combining keynote perspectives, focused impulse presentations, and moderated panel discussions. Content spans policy, industry implementation, education, and professional practice, with a strong emphasis on actionable guidance and shared responsibility across sectors.
The Summit program is structured around a set of principal themes, each curated by an internationally recognised Theme Chair and supported by Associate Chairs, ensuring coherence, depth, and cross-domain integration.
Full agenda
The full, time-based agenda of the Summit is currently under development in close collaboration with the Theme Chairs and invited contributors.
Preliminary Summit Planning
The Summit will be Tuesday and Wednesday, October 27 and 28, 2026 in the 1000 year old church “Oude Kerk” in the historic city of Delft, providing participants with an inspirational and unforgettable experience.
Monday afternoon, October 26, there will be informal interaction, preparation and expert meetings at the university campus.
Receptions/Dinner
Welcome Reception, Monday, October 26, 17 – 19 hours at the “Oude Kerk”
Exclusive Summit Dinner on Tuesday, October 27, 19 to 22 hours at the “Royal New Church”
Informal post Summit get together on Wednesday, October 28, 19 hours at a tbd location
Note: Thursday, October 29, there are opportunities for delegates to participate to the National Conference of the Dutch NxtGen HighTech Program in The Hague; separate registration needed!
Themes
The Summit program is organised around the following principal themes, reflecting the multidimensional nature of systems competencies and workforce development.
Speakers
The Summit brings together a carefully curated group of international leaders and experts from government, industry, academia, and professional organizations.
Invited and forthcoming speakers
Confirmed participants currently include:
- Theme Chairs and Associate Chairs as listed under the program themes
- Senior representatives from government, industry, academia, and international organisations who are actively shaping the Summit program
Invited and forthcoming speakers
Additional keynote speakers, panelists, and session contributors are being invited in close coordination with the Theme Chairs. These will be announced as confirmations are finalized.
The final speaker lineup will reflect the Summit’s objective: bringing together authoritative voices capable of linking systems thinking, innovation, policy, and workforce development into a coherent and actionable agenda.