“Never ever say die” (never give up)

It is not only the life motto of Bert Breij, but also the attitude with which he is committed to a different future for technology. As the founder and chairman of DeSolidariteit, he believes in technology with a human compass — technology that is not about profit, but about solidarity. Together with young people, schools, artists, and volunteers, he is building onSolidarity Technology: technology that connects, strengthens responsibility, and empowers people.“I spend five days a week on it, often eight hours or more a day. Thinking, writing, consulting, inspiring, and designing constantly intertwine. Solidarity is not a project for me, but a way of life. I want to understand what we do, feel why it matters, and experience what it yields. A day can start with writing a text for the website, followed by a meeting with a councilor or school leader, and end with a digital conversation with young people or scientists from abroad. Sometimes I work late, because I only let go of something when it feels right.” In recent months, Bert has focused on innovation.from the website. “The site tells who we are and what we do. More and more people are contributing, and that makes me proud.”

Swimming with rats

Bert explains how it came to be that he cannot stand injustice: “I was raised as an orthodox Catholic as the son of a butcher on the Singel in Amsterdam. I even swam among the rats in the Singel. Seven days a week I had to go to church. The social aspect is ingrained in me. Never ranks or classes, only respect if you are really good at something.” Bert received his education at the Jesuit boarding school in Nijmegen. As head of communication at the Industrial Union FNV, alongside many other professions, he saw how poorly staff were treated. “For a pittance, workers had to work in toxic conditions. With heart and soul, I fought for them for twelve years. I was truly a Christian-Marxist and was also concerned about people in the Philippines. You should have seen me: mustache, corduroy pants, hair over my shoulders. Really seventies.” Bert laughs: “I was very combative. I was a spokesperson for the workers who, for example, occupied ENKA, part of Akzo in Breda.”

SOLID Lab – a contemporary physics classroom

One of the most beautiful implementations of the mission of DeSolidariteit is the SOLID Lab. Young people, artists, schools, care institutions, and tech makers collaborate on new applications of technology. Bert enthusiastically shares: “It’s a kind of contemporary version of the old physics classroom.” In the lab, young people learn by doing. They work on projects about AI, robotics, and sustainability. “But always with attention to ethics, responsibility, and solidarity!” Volunteers play a key role in this. They guide young people, give workshops, help with organization, or support creative projects. “You don’t have to be a tech expert to participate — everyone who wants to contribute to learning, inspiring, or connecting is welcome.” Proudly: “We collaborate with schools like ROC van Amsterdam and Keizer Karel College in Amstelveen. There, students advise their school management on responsible AI use. Volunteering in the SOLID Lab is meaningful. You see young people grow — in knowledge, self-confidence, and awareness. And you learn just as much yourself.”

I owe everything to others

“The writing of the bookSolidaire Technologyhas cost us (Bert together with Prof. Dr. P. Jansen) an incredible amount of time and energy. Not because it was difficult to write, but because we wanted to do it well: honestly, thoroughly, and humanely.” The book forms the basis of all projects at DeSolidariteit — from education and youth work to international cooperation. As a person over 70, Bert feels very strongly: “I’m not missing anything! Why would I stop? Money doesn’t interest me. That’s not because I have enough. Now is the time to give something back to society. I owe everything to others. And it’s very good to be a really good volunteer. Not just a little bit, but completely. We are all dependent on each other. You get what you give. I am very proud.” “My life motto ‘Never ever say die’ comes from football and means: you don’t give up. Not even when things get tough, when others drop out, or when something takes longer than you thought. ‘Never ever say die’ is an attitude towards life. It’s the belief that something will succeed if it is important enough.”

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Interview: Thecla Groot Koerkamp
Photo: Huub Zeeman