Six years of building international partnerships: A look back with Laura Duran

From international trade, economic and innovation missions to strategic partnerships with organizations around the world, Laura Duran has been at the heart of many of Health Holland's international initiatives over the past six years in her role as International Relations Manager. After six years, Laura is saying goodbye to Health Holland. We look back with her on a period in which she made a significant contribution to strengthening the international position of the Dutch Life Sciences & Health (LSH) ecosystem. 

When you started at Health Holland, there was still a lot to build internationally. Today, you leave behind a strong international network. Can you take us back to those early days and reflect on the journey you've made since then? 

When I joined Health Holland, we were right in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic. There was very little international travel taking place, so those first months were mainly about getting to know people and rapidly building a network. My first six months? Mostly back-to-back online meetings! That period gave me valuable insight into the existing relationships, the international landscape of our sector, and the opportunities to gradually expand our network. 

Looking back on the past six years, I'm especially proud of what we've built together with so many organizations and partners. Today, there is a strong international network where public and private stakeholders know how to find one another and where valuable collaborations have emerged that continue to thrive despite the thousands of kilometres between us. I think that's something truly special. At the same time, I've also learned how fragile international collaboration can be. Building meaningful partnerships takes patience, long-term commitment, and people who are willing to invest the time and energy to make them succeed. 

International collaboration has been a defining theme throughout your work. Looking back over the past six years, which project or partnership has left the biggest impression on you, and why?  

That's a difficult question! There are so many projects that have stayed with me, each for a different reason. But if I had to choose a few, Expo 2025 Osaka would certainly be at the top of the list. It's a place where the world quite literally comes together. It was a privilege to represent the Netherlands and to see how societal challenges, innovation, diplomacy and economic cooperation all converge. And seeing a real-life artificial beating heart there was truly unforgettable! At the same time, the World Expo also demonstrated how much coordination is involved in collaborating with so many different partners. The collective effort, the challenges we faced along the way, and the unique experience we shared with a group of around sixty people are what make this mission one I will always remember. 

Our recent visit to China is another experience I won't forget anytime soon. The scale and pace of innovation were impressive, but what stood out most was the close integration of research, funding, government and industry. It also made me reflect on how we organize and finance innovation in the Netherlands. I won't be part of the next phase of this collaboration at Health Holland, but I genuinely hope - and believe - that we will see many more meaningful developments emerge from it. 

And if I may mention one more, Boston will always hold a special place. It is one of the world's leading Life Sciences clusters and a partnership we have been investing in for many years. In fact, it was one of my very first assignments when I joined Health Holland. The original plan was to organize a visit to Boston together with the Dutch Prime Minister at the time and a delegation of Dutch companies. I still remember asking during a meeting, "So… who exactly do I call to get Prime Minister Rutte to join us?" It still makes me laugh. In the end, we travelled with two ministers and a delegation of more than eighty participants. Since then, the collaboration has continued to grow organically, and today it feels like a truly established and natural partnership. 

What have you learned most from this role, both professionally and personally? 

Professionally, I've learned how important it is to work from a clear vision. International collaborations don't happen overnight, and often the results only become visible years later. That's exactly why it helps to keep the bigger picture in mind at all times. Every conversation, every email and every meeting then becomes a building block towards that long-term goal. It also helps you recognize which piece of the puzzle is still missing to move a collaboration forward to its next stage. 

On a personal level, I've learned that successful collaboration starts with understanding each other's interests. When you understand what drives organizations, you're much better able to identify where shared value lies. That requires the ability to see things from different perspectives and, at times, even speak different "languages". It's by understanding each other's worlds that trust is built, and ultimately, meaningful partnerships are created. 

I've had the privilege of working with a fantastic team and with truly inspiring leaders across our sector, and for that I am incredibly grateful. 

The Netherlands has a strong international position in Life Sciences & Health. Where do you see the greatest opportunities for the future, and how can international collaboration contribute to both societal impact and economic growth?  

The Netherlands has a strong foundation to build on internationally. We have a compact ecosystem where companies, knowledge institutions and government work in close proximity. That's something quite unique. At the same time, societal and economic ambitions within Life Sciences & Health can go hand in hand. Innovations that improve healthcare by making it more effective, affordable and accessible can also drive high-value economic activity, create jobs and strengthen exports. 

That potential, however, won't be realized automatically. In recent years, the sector has had to navigate shifting political priorities, evolving industrial policies and changing geopolitical circumstances. That makes having a clear long-term vision more important than ever. It also requires us to look beyond the Netherlands, particularly in fields such as biotechnology and medical technology. I feel that we sometimes lose sight of that and fail to act accordingly.

I think it's a positive development that current policy places greater emphasis on a number of priority areas within Life Sciences & Health. That focus can help the Netherlands become more recognizable and effective internationally. The question, however, is how we put those choices into practice. Many of the instruments for international collaboration are designed to be broad and generic, while targeted priorities require dedicated programming, sustained long-term commitment and strong coordination. 

What message or advice would you like to share with colleagues and partners who are continuing to shape the international ambitions?  

Keep investing patiently in relationships, even when the results are not immediately visible. The most meaningful outcomes are often the result of conversations that began years earlier. International collaboration requires continuity, trust and people who are willing to take the initiative. Much of this work happens behind the scenes, but it lays the foundation for everything that eventually becomes visible. 

And stay curious. Our sector has a great deal to offer, but we don't always have to be the ones bringing the knowledge. We have just as much to learn from other countries. It's this sense of mutual exchange that makes international collaboration so rewarding. 

Will we continue to see you active in the international Life Sciences & Health field, or do you have other plans ahead?  

Absolutely! For now, I’m taking a bit of time away and will spend the coming months in Spain renovating a house. It’s a true dream. A completely different type of project, but one that brings me just as much passion as my work at Health Holland has over the past six years. After that, I certainly hope to return to the sector, preferably in an international role again.