Bridging Values and Finance: Reflections from the 2025 Value-Based Finance Conference in Amsterdam

A delegation of five members of the Oxford Sustainable Finance Student Society (OSFSS) recently had the privilege of attending the 2025 Value-Based Finance Conference, hosted by the Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences (18 & 19 March 2025). This two-day event convened researchers, financial professionals, and academic leaders dedicated to exploring how finance can be mobilised to build economies that are more just, sustainable, and resilient. This blog post captures our reflections on what was an energising and thought-provoking experience, and highlights the relevance of value-based finance to our work at OSFSS and beyond.

Day One: Reimagining the financial system

The first day of the conference focused on cutting-edge academic research. Arjo Klamer, professor in humane economy at the Vrije Universiteit, set the tone with a discussion on “The Ideals of Bankers”. Rather than taking a purely instrumental view of finance, Prof. Klamer urged attendees to consider the moral imagination of finance professionals — what do they value, and what kind of world do they wish to build? This values-first approach resonated strongly with us. It provided a powerful framing for later discussions on alternative financing models and sustainability-driven financial innovation. 

A particularly rich session explored several topics, including regulatory challenges in alternative finance and the role of FinTech in supporting SMEs. The discussion highlighted technology’s potential to democratise access to finance—so long as it is designed with sustainability and inclusion at its core. One of the highlights of the session was a thought-provoking presentation by Jelmer Klumperbeek from Nederlandse Waterschapsbank: he examined the ideational constraints shaping public financial institutions and argued for a more deliberate balance between public value and market-oriented thinking. His intervention offered fresh insights into how institutional narratives and norms can either enable or limit transformative financial action. The day concluded with a spotlight on the Global Alliance for Banking on Values (GABV). Tytti Kaasinen, GABV’s Head of Impact and Research, introduced a new Academic Network Initiative aimed at bridging scholarly and practitioner communities in values-based banking.

Day Two: The Changing World of the Financial Professional

The second day began with further opportunities to dive into key academic debates. Dr. Kim Meijer and Dr. Fred de Jong explored the challenges of integrating ESG into financial practice, while Dr. Rosella Carè and Dr. Simone Taddeo presented their research on how corporate governance influences fossil fuel divestment in the banking sector.

The afternoon symposium brought together professionals, academics, and innovators for a dynamic, cross-sectoral exchange of ideas. The keynote address by Martin Rohner, Executive Director of the Global Alliance for Banking on Values, was a masterclass in inspiration. Rohner challenged us to rethink what financial leadership can look like in an era of multiple crises. He illustrated how values-based banking can drive meaningful change, empower communities, and support sustainable development.

The panel discussion that followed, moderated by Professor Marleen Janssen Groesbeek, featured a range of voices from across the Dutch financial sector. Panelists included Niina Pussinen (ABN AMRO), Hilde Sijbring (Dutch Banking Association), Jeroen Derkx (Invest-NL), and Ronald Kleverlaan (Stichting MKB Financiering). They explored the evolving role of the financial professional amid the transition to a circular economy, the rise of ESG, innovations in fintech, and shifting regulatory landscapes. The parallel workshops that followed offered a more hands-on experience. Participants engaged with topics such as financial barriers to circular business models, the role of accountants and appraisers in financing sustainable assets, and the potential of financial advisory services in alternative SME lending.

Reflections: Values at the core of financial practice

This conference was a powerful affirmation of a principle at the heart of OSFSS: finance is never value-neutral. Whether we’re working on ESG integration, climate finance, or impact investing, the policies and instruments we shape are always embedded in broader social and ecological contexts. Attending the conference was a valuable opportunity not only to learn but also to share perspectives from the University of Oxford. We connected with academics and practitioners from the Netherlands, Canada, Italy and beyond, several of whom expressed interest in the activities of our society. We extend our sincere thanks to the organisers, especially Prof. Frank Jan De Graaf, for welcoming us with warmth and intellectual generosity. We look forward to continuing the conversation. 

We left Amsterdam with fresh inspiration, new connections, and a deepened commitment to advancing sustainable finance at Oxford University and beyond.