Room For Discussion

Join us for an exclusive interview with Alle Dorhout, the Dutch Ambassador to Ukraine and former Director of Intelligence at the AIVD. With valuable insights into the intersection of diplomacy and intelligence, Alle offers a firsthand perspective on navigating the complex political landscape during the war in Ukraine. In this conversation, we dive deep into the history of the conflict, explore how it is leveraged in diplomacy, and discuss how intelligence can shape more informed decisions. With the shifting geopolitical landscape and the U.S. distancing itself from former allies, we ask the critical questions that every diplomat faces today.

CSR Election Debate - University of AmsterdamFrom looming budget cuts in higher education to government directives on de-internationalisation, from defending the right to protest to safeguarding the mental well-being of students – this year, the university faces major decisions that will shape its future.In the midst of these challenges, the Central Student Council (CSR) plays a crucial role. As the highest student representative body at the UvA, the CSR has the power to influence university policy, push for change, and protect student interests.Join us for the CSR Election Debate: an open, critical conversation between student candidates on the issues that matter most. This is your chance to hear how they plan to represent you and to ask questions, so that you can make an informed vote in shaping the university’s direction.

As cyberattacks grow in scale and sophistication, the lines between cybercrime, state-sponsored hacking, and digital warfare are becoming increasingly blurred. How can we protect individuals, and democratic institutions from the rising tide of cyber threats? Who should be held accountable for cyberattacks, and how can the international community step up its game?Join us for a conversation with Stéphan Duguin, CEO of the CyberPeace Institute, an organization dedicated to reducing the harm caused by cyber threats and promoting accountability in cyberspace. We will dive into why the issue of cybersecurity demands immediate action, what the geopolitical and human implications of cyberattacks are, and explore what needs to be done to secure a safer digital future for everyone.

When the newspapers are full of horrifying stories, international law sometimes feels impotent. Why is it still important? In what way is the term “genocide” political? Is our international system failing if world powers don’t subscribe to it? And why would we need a fifth international crime of “Ecocide”? Philippe Sands is a specialist in international law, with over 40 years of experience in advocating for justice in front of the world’s most significant courts, such as the International Court of Justice, the International Criminal Court and the European Court of Human Rights. Most importantly, Sands does not just practice international law; he tells its story. 

On the 9th of April, 13:00-14:00, in the E-Hall, Room for Discussion welcomed Steve Keen – outspoken critic of mainstream economics, author of “The New Economics: A Manifesto”, and one of today’s most rebellious economic thinkers.Keen has made it his mission to dismantle the neoclassical foundations of the discipline. With climate collapse accelerating, inequality deepening, and debt-driven crises recurring, he claims our economic orthodoxy is not just wrong, but dangerous. From his emphasis on non-equilibrium dynamic modelling to jabs at Nobel laureates, such as William Nordhaus, Keen’s ideas challenge not only the economics profession, but how we imagine the future of society. Expect controversy, polemics, and ultimately a discussion on how Steve Keen would model our world. Is this the future of economics, or a detour into chaos?

New York City was once just a small Dutch outpost called New Amsterdam. How did a modest trading colony become the global icon it is today? Join us for a deep dive with acclaimed historian Russell Shorto, who has spent decades uncovering the Dutch origins of America’s financial and cultural capital.From Manhattan’s first skyscrapers to Wall Street’s earliest deals, we’ll connect the dots between the city’s 17th-century Dutch DNA and its modern identity. Is today’s New York still carrying the legacy of its founding ideals, or has it evolved into something entirely different?

How can the UN uphold its humanitarian mission in an increasingly polarized world? Has it ever truly fulfilled its purpose of protecting human rights, and what role does diplomacy play as global tensions rise?Join us for a hybrid conversation with Jan Eliasson, former UN Deputy Secretary-General and President of the General Assembly, drawing on a lifetime of diplomacy and mediation.Eliasson will share insights on the key skills for successful mediation, the importance of bridging geopolitical divides, and how the international system must evolve to meet 21st-century challenges.

Martin Wolf is one of the most prominent voices in the world of politics and economics of our times. In an era of inequality, political polarisation, and global power shifts, he asks the uncomfortable questions: Has capitalism betrayed democracy? Is rising authoritarianism a failure of the market—or the system itself? And most importantly, can we turn the tide before it’s too late?

Room for Discussion is proud to announce a new interview series.❗Disclaimer: Room for Discussion is a journalistic student-led interview platform which encourages open dialogue and the sharing of diverse perspectives. The opinions expressed by individual guests and audience members in our interviews are solely their own and do not reflect the views, opinions, or positions of Room for Discussion.How does Israeli society relate to the current war? How is history narrated in the Middle East? Is communication between Israelis and Palestinians possible? How?Yossi Klein Halevi is an Israeli-American writer and journalist. He wrote award-winning books, including “Letters to My Palestinian Neighbor”, a book aiming to initiate dialogue between Israelis and Palestinians.

Join us for a powerful discussion with Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, the leader of the Belarusian opposition and a global symbol of the fight for democracy.We'll delve into her journey from presidential candidate to exile, the ongoing struggle against authoritarianism in Belarus, and the challenges of rallying international support for democratic change. Gain unique insights into the resilience of the Belarusian people and the path forward for freedom and human rights in the region.

Ever wondered how €186 billion in EU spending is scrutinized to ensure every euro counts? On 14th January, from 13:00 to 14:00, at the REC E-Hall, we’ll dive into the world of the European Court of Auditors (ECA) with its President, Tony Murphy. As the leader of the EU’s financial watchdog, Murphy ensures that the Union’s finances are transparent, efficient, and accountable—essential for addressing the generational challenges Europe faces today.  From ensuring Europe’s preparedness for cyberattacks and natural disasters to scrutinizing ambitious climate initiatives, Murphy’s work goes beyond mere numbers. He’ll share how the ECA tackles some of the EU’s biggest questions: are the ambitious 2030 climate goals achievable, or are they lofty aspirations? Can Europe maintain its competitive edge in a global economy dominated by the US and China? And how does the ECA ensure every euro spent reflects the Union’s values?  This is your opportunity to see beyond the spreadsheets and gain insight into how audits shape E

The way events unfolded on our platform today once again is deeply unfortunate. While we believe that protest is an integral part of a democratic society, we are dissapointed that the way it was carried out today hindered a free exchange of ideas. We are a platform run by students, for students which always strives to create a democratic environment, in which different perspectives and criticisms are valuable additions. We remain committed to our mission to contribute to societal conversations and foster the open dialogue we so strongly believe in.Join us in a wide-ranging conversation with Minister of Defence of the Netherlands, Ruben Brekelmans, to understand why migration and energy can be framed as security priorities and how defence policy can be strengthened through European industrial integration. We’ll wrestle with questions like the tensions between pragmatism and principles to how a future with a more transactional transatlantic relationship might influence potential negotiations to the end of the w

Room for Discussion is honoured to welcome Karel Hendriks. He has worked with Médicins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders) for over a decade and is now the Deputy General of the organisation and the Director of the Dutch branch, providing immediate life-saving care for people in conflict zones, natural disasters and epidemics.What is the meaning of assistance provided by medical humanitarian organisations? What are the main challenges faced by aid workers today? How do they remain neutral in conflict zones? What is the responsibility of doctors on and beyond the frontlines? How can aid help sustain local healthcare systems?For answers to these questions and more, make sure to check out our new interview.

Is wealth inequality the defining economic issue of our time? How has quantitative easing deepened the divide between the rich and the poor? What can be done to fix a broken economic system?Gary Stevenson, former Citibank trader turned economic activist, predicted the widening inequality post-2008 crisis and has been a vocal advocate for economic reform ever since. With his unique insights from inside the financial world, Gary will discuss how current economic policies are fueling inequality, the consequences of a rising housing market, and what we can do to bring about a more equitable future.

How to make finance a force for sustainability? Are there enough incentives in our system to balance short-term profits and the protection of the environment? And what is the role of PwC and Rabo Carbon Bank in shaping the discussion on sustainable growth?Our guest has been at the center of discussions about green finance for her entire career. From academia through commercial and central banking to consulting, Barbara Baarsma has been looking for an answer to how to shape the future of our system for the benefit of our environment. Whether you’re interested in finance, climate action, or just looking for inspiration from someone breaking boundaries, this is your chance to hear first-hand insights. Get ready for a conversation that’s not just about money but about what really matters.

Room for Discussion is honoured to welcome Guy Standing, a British Labour economist, co-founder of the Basic Income Earth Network (BIEN) and professor of Development Studies at the University of London. It will be a conversation offering insights into the changing dynamics of work, inequality, and social justice in today’s world.Is neoliberalism fundamentally shortsighted? What is the ‘precariat’ class and how does it gain significance in today’s political landscape? How can we create a fairer and more inclusive economy? Is Universal Basic Income the answer to poverty and automation?In order to get answers to all of these questions, make sure to check out our new interview.

What role does morality play in communication? How are moral messages cognitively processed, how are they represented in the neural realm, and in what way do they motivate behavior? For our first episode of 'The Ivory Tower', we will be speaking to Dr. Frederic Hopp. Frederic is Assistant Professor at the University of Amsterdam's School of Communication Research.During this episode we discuss an article that was recently published in the journal Nature Human Behavior. We break down its method and theoretical foundation, explore avenues for future research, and Frederic tells us a bit about his formation as an academic. The link to the paper: 'Moral foundations elicit shared and dissociable cortical activation modulated by political ideology'. More about Frederic: https://fhopp.github.ioMore about us: Our Website Our Instagram Our Twitter Our Linkedin 

What do the Dalai Lama, Bill Gates, and Johan Cruijff have in common? All have them have been interviewed by Twan Huys, the most prominent interviewer and journalist in the Netherlands. He has seen the political and social environment change tremendously over the last decades and has talked to some of the most prominent makers and shakers of our current world to make sense of it. Room for Discussion is thrilled to welcome Twan Huys, host of College Tour and Buitenhof. He has interviewed countless of famous guest, held Dutch politicians accountable and shaped the public debate in The Netherlands like no one else. Now he is here to share his perspective on how the public climate has changed and where we go from here. Don’t miss out on this amazing opportunity!

In 1969 the Dutch security services opened a file on a 17 year old boy. His name was Derk Sauer. Later he founded his own publishing firm with Crown Jewel the Moscow Times, and to this day one of the few independent russian media outlets. The question now is: How will independent Russian media survive?

Geert Wilders’ PVV recent election win is the latest addition to a trend of far-right populists winning big elections. Spanning from Argentina with Javier Melei to Italy with Giorgia Meloni, the Far Right seems to be on rise.There is no one better to talk about these events than Cas Mudde, the preeminent scholar on populism and the Far Right.