Can journalism and academia keep up with our complex and face-paced world? How can we find reliable information without biases? How can complicated information be explained responsibly and convincingly? And finally, how to interest your readers in the era of social media and shorter attention spans?

Room for Discussion jointly with Rostra Economica will try to answer those questions during the panel discussion!

With our guests Penny Sheets Thiebaut (Professor at the Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences), Kees Hasnoot (Associate Professor at the Faculty of Economics and Business) and Lizan Nijkrake (Journalist) we will shed a light on the challenges and future of journalism and scholarship and your possible place in it.

Join us at the E-Hall on January 24th, 18:00, for an exciting and though-provoking deep dive into media and academia!

🎨 Cultural

Room for Discussion

Breaking News, Breaking Boundaries: A Debate on the Customs of Journalism and Academia

Have you ever wondered what went on behind the closed doors of Greece’s finance ministry during the Euro Crisis? Did you ever question yourself on who was to blame for the severity of the crisis? Are you curios on how Europe will face its upcoming challenges?

If the answer to any of those questions was yes, join us in the E-Hall on January 26th, 12:00 – 13:00!

Room for Discussion is thrilled to welcome Georgios Papacostantinou, the former Greek Minister of Finance during the Euro Crisis. He is known for announcing that Greece was unable to repay its debt, a revelation that sent shockwaves across Europe. Now, he’s here to share his insider story and critical insights on the crisis as well as expectations for the future of Europe. Prepare to be captivated by an interview not just about numbers and policies, but about leadership and tough choices.

Don’t miss out on this amazing opportunity!

Greek Fiscal Fables: A Conversation with Georgios Papacostantinou, Minister of Finance during the Euro Crisis

Over the past decades, China’s economy has been ever-rising, with double-digit GDP growth every year. However, recent reporting seems to suggest that the Chinese economic miracle is going bust. Problems in the real estate market, a slow Covid-19 recovery, and geopolitical tension is combining in unpredictable ways to challenge China’s economy – so what will China do? And how will the rest of the world respond?

On February 6th, 14-15h, Room for Discussion will host Bert Hofman. He is the former World Bank’s Chief Economist of East Asia and the Pacific and Country Director for China, which makes him well placed to speak about China’s economic and geopolitical future. Be there or be square!

Interviewers:
- Ella Otterbeck
- Filippo Maria Talenti

The End of the Chinese Miracle? A Conversation with Bert Hofman, Former Country Director at the World Bank

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. 

To get his unique perspective on the world around us, join us in the E-Hall on February 14th, 13:00 – 14:00h! 

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!

College Tour Turned Around – A Conversation with Twan Huys

Vattenfall, a Swedish state-owned energy company, provides heating for more than 50 000 Amsterdammers. On 29 February, Room for Discussion will host an interview with Vattenfall’s CCO Cindy Kroon to understand who is the company behind your energy bills. They are a leading energy company in shifting towards renewable energy sources and are promising to phase out coal and fossil fuels by 2030. We will uncover the nature of their roadmap to net zero and the limitations Vattenfall faces in implementing changes fairly and accessibly. EU regulations and state infrastructure conditions determine much of the applicability of green policies and the use of network – even with the best case scenario, how much can we really do to prevent the already severe effects of climate change? These difficult questions will be brought to the Room for Discussion stage at the E-hall on Thursday, 29 February at 13:00.

Blue + Yellow = Green? – Investigating the Sustainability of Vattenfall with their CCO, Cindy Kroon

The upcoming European Parliamentary elections are incredibly consequential. These will be the first without the UK, and come at a time of intense turmoil, war at the borders, and rising Euroscepticism. There is no one better to make sense of the current moment than Professor Simon Hix. 

Join us on March 1st from 13:00 – 14:00 in the E-Hall to understand how growing support for populist radical right parties (like the PVV ) could shape the European Parliament and the future of the EU integration project. 

Simon Hix is the Stein Rokkan Chair of Political Science at the European University Institute in Florence and previously served as Vice-President at LSE. Hix is one of the most prominent academics studying EU institutions.

Interviewers:
Nayantara Ranganatha
Jonathan Kellogg-De Cock Buning

Integration or Bust? On European Elections with Simon Hix

Room for Discussion is partnering with ASDV Bonaparte to host a Debate Training followed by an informal Pub Debate session! Sign up for a fun and engaging introduction to the world of debating – improve your argumentation and presentation skills alongside some free beers!

🏀 Active

🪩 Party

Rhetoric & Pints: Debate Training and Informal Pub Debate

From Deputy PM of the UK to President, Global Affairs, Meta, Sir Nick Clegg has bridged the gap between politics and tech for years. With all of Meta’s businesses, including Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and now the Metaverse under his purview, he is tasked with overseeing some of the most complex policy issues across the internet. With constant changes in the world of tech and an ever-changing threat landscape ranging from misinformation to deepfakes, it’s fair to say that his job is tough.

As the era of Generative-AI begins, the question remains if society is up for the task of separating the real from the artificial. In 2024, with billions worldwide going to the polls, political tensions and theatre online will put Clegg’s position to the test. On the 11th of March, Room for Discussion will be kicking off its 15-year anniversary with an interview with Sir Clegg from 14:00 – 15:00. Join us, for an eyAI-opening conversation on these issues and more!

Lustrum: Interview with Sir Nick Clegg, President, Global Affairs, Meta

How do the decisions we make influence the world around us? Does everything happen for a reason or do things just happen? Brian Klaas, an American political scientist specializing in democracy and authoritarianism, a contributing writer at The Atlantic, and associate professor in global politics at University College London, investigates these topics in his most recent book ‘Fluke: Chance, Chaos, and Why Everything We Do Matters.’

In a world driven by randomness, our reliance on models and patterns increases systemic risks and reduces our resilience. To hear why we should open ourselves up to uncertainty and how growing interdependence impacts democracy, join us on the 12th of March from 13:00 to 14:00 in the E-Hall at the Roeterseiland Campus.

Interviewers:
- Sean Cotter-Lem
- Nayantara Ranganatha

Embracing Chaos: A Conversation with Brian Klaas about Chance & Democracy

Is the future of KLM only clear blue skies, or is there turbulence ahead? On the 14th of March Marjan Rintel, the CEO of KLM, will be joining Room for Discussion to give her perspective on the airline’s business practices, sustainability goals and many other topics!

The world’s oldest airline is in a precarious position: it does not seem to agree with its biggest shareholder, the Dutch State, on their future. How does the airline plan to resolve these differences, and join the rest of the Netherlands in reaching carbon-zero in 2050? Train tickets, emission offsetting, airport shrinkings, tax benefits, or all of the above? To have the answer, join us for Room for Discussions’s first 15-year Lustrum interview in the E-Hall from 14:00 – 15:00 on Thursday, March 14!

🍿 Chill

Lustrum: Turbulence Ahead? The Future of Flying with Marjan Rintel, the CEO of KLM

Adam

Maggie

Christie

Eric

Anna

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Room for Discussion is the interview platform of the University of Amsterdam & SEFA est. 2008. We organise interviews with professors, entrepreneurs, economists, politicians, philosophers, CEOs and journalists to discuss relevant economic topics and recent events.

Room for Discussion

106

54

Breaking News, Breaking Boundaries: A Debate on the Customs of Journalism and Academia

Greek Fiscal Fables: A Conversation with Georgios Papacostantinou, Minister of Finance during the Euro Crisis

The End of the Chinese Miracle? A Conversation with Bert Hofman, Former Country Director at the World Bank

College Tour Turned Around – A Conversation with Twan Huys

Blue + Yellow = Green? – Investigating the Sustainability of Vattenfall with their CCO, Cindy Kroon

Integration or Bust? On European Elections with Simon Hix

Rhetoric & Pints: Debate Training and Informal Pub Debate

Lustrum: Interview with Sir Nick Clegg, President, Global Affairs, Meta

Embracing Chaos: A Conversation with Brian Klaas about Chance & Democracy

Lustrum: Turbulence Ahead? The Future of Flying with Marjan Rintel, the CEO of KLM

December

Room for Discussion

106

54

Breaking News, Breaking Boundaries: A Debate on the Customs of Journalism and Academia

Greek Fiscal Fables: A Conversation with Georgios Papacostantinou, Minister of Finance during the Euro Crisis

The End of the Chinese Miracle? A Conversation with Bert Hofman, Former Country Director at the World Bank

College Tour Turned Around – A Conversation with Twan Huys

Blue + Yellow = Green? – Investigating the Sustainability of Vattenfall with their CCO, Cindy Kroon

Integration or Bust? On European Elections with Simon Hix

Rhetoric & Pints: Debate Training and Informal Pub Debate

Lustrum: Interview with Sir Nick Clegg, President, Global Affairs, Meta

Embracing Chaos: A Conversation with Brian Klaas about Chance & Democracy

Lustrum: Turbulence Ahead? The Future of Flying with Marjan Rintel, the CEO of KLM

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December