SSE was used to avoid unexpected stakeholder input, to nurture relationships, and to look beyond solving today's problems into sustainable long-term approaches.

Maasvlakte 2

For the Maasvlakte 2 (Port of Rotterdam) Project Organization, Marc Wesselink filled the position of stakeholder engagement manager for six years. Strategic Stakeholder Engagement (SSE) formed the foundation for the sustainable dialogue between many stakeholders, based on analyses of issues and stakeholders and with a genuine interest in the interests of those parties. Entering into a dialogue at an early stage and seeking mutual interests created space for consultation, from which the parties jointly explored creative solutions. The first successes increased confidence in our approach and a growing conviction that solving problems and building a lasting relationship can go hand in hand. SSE was used to avoid unexpected stakeholder input, to nurture relationships, and to look beyond solving today's problems into sustainable long-term approaches. The approach and results are described in the Handbook for Strategic Stakeholder Engagement (Handboek Strategisch Omgevingsmanagement, 2010).