Previous events:

Selection from the Committee:

Laurens Norden

Lustrum: Defending our values? With Minister of Defence Ollongren

Jun 19, 2024 | 17:30 - 18:30

“In recent years, the European continent has seen the tensest geopolitical state since the fall of the Berlin Wall. War rages on the continent itself, and in its periphery. The Ukrainian conflict has required European nations to reassess their defence spending - which in many nations was seriously reduced - to ensure their security. The Palestinian-Israeli conflict has additionally forced nations to consider how their support, both military and economic, plays out in an electorate whose opinions have shifted. Against this backdrop, former member Jonathan and current member Saskia interviewed Kajsa Ollongren, outgoing Defence Minister of the Netherlands, at Marineterrein Naval Base. If these topics, and more, sound interesting, then this is the interview for you!”

This week in:

2024

Lustrum: Utopisch Onderwijs? Een interview met Minister Robbert Dijkgraaf

Apr 19, 2024 | 16:00 - 17:00

From Tulips to Turmoil: Ambassador Fatma Ceren Yazgan on Türkiye in Transition

April 14 | 13:00 - 14:00

Femke Halsema

October 30, 2025

In this interview, Mayor Femke Halsema discusses the challenges and opportunities facing Amsterdam as it celebrates its 750th anniversary. She addresses the pressures of tourism, housing affordability, and social divides, emphasizing the importance of maintaining Amsterdam's diverse and open character. Halsema also reflects on the city's resilience and the need for public investment to support its growth. She touches on her role in managing public safety and the political pressures she faces, while expressing her commitment to human rights and democracy.

"Democracy is about responsibility first of all. Everybody can contribute into the fight and just do what he or she can on his or her place."

— Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya in Toppling “Europe’s Last Dictator”: A Conversation with Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, January 14, 2025

Room for Discussion is the interview platform of the University of Amsterdam. We organise interviews with professors, entrepreneurs, economists, politicians, philosophers, CEOs and journalists to discuss relevant economic topics and recent events.