Minchenu Maduro

Immerse yourself in the inspiring world of “Sparks of Inspiration: My Story, Your Influence”. During this special lecture on the occasion of International Women’s Day 2026, Minchenu Maduro takes you on an engaging and humorous journey through her own life, born in Curaçao and raised in the Netherlands.

In this interactive lecture, she reveals her personal experiences and the influence of various women who have served as role models. Discover how women from different backgrounds, ages, and social statuses have impacted her life and development.

“Inspiration comes in different forms,” says Minchenu. “In my life, various women have ignited sparks of inspiration. I hope this lecture can ignite a similar spark in the audience, as we together experience the power of female connection and inspiration.”

Be enchanted by the power of female resilience and diversity!

This lecture offers a unique opportunity to celebrate the power of diversity and be inspired by the many voices and stories the world has to offer. Come and discover the connection amidst our differences!

Giving up is never an option. Giving hope is.

I was just a teenager when my life hung by a thread due to a serious illness. While my friends were out shopping, this thought played in my mind: ‘Will I survive this? I have so many dreams and plans.’

In the lecture Life-Force, the story begins in the terminal ward of the hospital where I stayed for two months. A dark period where I still saw glimmers of hope every day.

When doctors gave up on me, I did not give up. If I had only a month to live, I held onto hope. If someone cried, I responded with a smile.

Precisely because that time was sometimes so tough, I see every day as the most beautiful gift and the start of a new dream. I will never give up, and I want to pass on that strength. Even when it comes to inclusivity and diversity. Because right in the room where I lay, with all cultural and religious backgrounds, we had to learn how to survive together with six of us.

Life-Force is a lecture that teaches you to keep your own goals alive. And despite the setbacks you will encounter, to keep believing in the path you take.

We are often trapped in our own behaviour. Yet you can escape from it.

I grew up in a notorious neighbourhood with crime on every corner. I saw small-time crooks become major criminals. In a world with different laws and fixed rules.

I did not want to judge, but to bring change. No matter how dangerous, I approached the boys, gained trust. No matter how well-known or notorious they were. Even for the man who received TBS for his heinous acts, I did not walk away.

Where society wanted to get rid of these youths, I wanted to help them on their way. It starts with approaching them. I dismantled walls of hostility and distrust, brick by brick. I did not look at what they had done, but what they could still do.

In this lecture, you will learn from my approach. I let the audience experience what it is like to work among these men and what life lessons you can take from it.

Who are these boys, how do you break through those cold façades? How do you gain trust, where is the connection, and what is their strength? Is someone only bad, or is there another side to them? Ultimately, everyone can escape from a self-created prison.

For teachers, parents, and leaders. How do you motivate others to learn?
Development begins with learning.

As a teenager, I was unbearable in class. I skipped school. Was not serious. Made teachers’ lives miserable. And yet, I was the one who transitioned into education. The troublemaker who was always sent out of class stood in front of the class.

In this lecture, you will receive practical tools and I will take you into the mindset of a rebellious teenager. What does that teenager need to connect with the teacher and the school? How do you make your school a community where students are eager to come?

We go back to Den Helder where it all began. I talk about that one teacher who did express confidence in me, about the educational path I took, what I learned from it, and how I eventually came to grow and flourish.

I worked everywhere. From vocational education to higher education institutions. And along the way, I discovered laws and patterns that can help everyone in education move forward.

Whether you are a teacher, parent, or leader… your learning-force begins with good contact.