In early April, youth doctors, youth nurses and researchers from across the country gathered for the AJN Day. A day that centred on knowledge exchange, practical research and encounters. Not in a clinical setting, but in the heart of the Netherlands. Namely in Jaarbeurs. And that was not for the first time; this long-standing collaboration now feels like coming home.
Those who stepped inside Supernova quickly realised: this was no ordinary conference. It was the place where passionate youth health care (JGZ) professionals came together to push their field forward. First, the general members' meeting started, followed by the programming, which this year was dedicated to research. Youth doctors, researchers and nurses were able to present their research here. They did so during presentations in halls and with a poster walk where submitted abstracts were explained.
Fully refreshed in one day
Yvonne de Vette, organiser of the AJN day: "Research in our field is sometimes a neglected child. It still gets too little attention. We wanted to encourage that. I always say: you are almost crazy if you don't come to the AJN Day, because in one day you are completely updated on the latest developments. So this time about ongoing research. For example, about mental health screening in adolescents or new insights into hip ultrasound in babies."
The intricacies of the profession
The AJN Day has been taking place at Jaarbeurs for years. And that is no coincidence. Yvonne: "We have been working together since 2012 and organise several days a year at Jaarbeurs. We once made one trip to another venue. But there we missed the finesse. They hadn't really mastered catering there. It seems so obvious, but if it's not there ... then you notice that it's essential. Jaarbeurs understands how to organise everything around such a day."
Being flexible and thinking along
Yvonne is very pleased with the cooperation: "Bas and I have been working together for a long time, it goes very smoothly. You know each other. But what I find most important is the flexibility. Sometimes things go wrong on a day like this. That's no problem at all, it's about how it is solved. For example, if we, or our guests, forget to pass on dietary requirements, Jaarbeurs can respond quickly. And they always still manage to produce something. Or if there is something with the furniture or something is missing, it is solved quickly. As an organiser, that always makes me happy."
Focus on health
Bas Sterrenburg, account manager of Jaarbeurs, is also happy with AJN as organiser. He says: "We like to invest in our cooperation. We think along, improve and make sure it's right. And besides: it is a beautiful subject. Jaarbeurs wants to position itself as the place for care-related meetings. This fits in well with that. We are also focusing on health ourselves, for example by organising events like Dutch Health Week or making our catering healthier." Yvonne nods and says: "The catering is now mainly pescetarian and that suits our target group perfectly. Because many of our participants don't eat meat. And also nice: the quality has improved even more, because the dishes are very creative!"
On to the next AJN days
The AJN day is an injection of knowledge. And a valuable moment of encounter. Because this edition was dedicated to research, it was also relevant for youth nurses. And although the event is originally meant for members, Yvonne stresses that everyone is welcome. Non-members too: "You get so much information within the profession, it's a very interesting day," she says. "Anyone with a link to youth health care is welcome to attend the upcoming AJN days in November 2025. But the dates for April and November 2026 are also already fixed. Which theme will take centre stage then, we don't know yet. What we do know: it will be at Jaarbeurs anyway!"
