Room for Discussion

What does it mean to grow up in a war?On the 20th October, from 13:00 to 14:00 in the E-Hall, Room for Discussion will host Kyrylo Lapko, Head of Reintegration and International Relations at the Coordination Center for Family Upbringing and Child Care Development in Ukraine.As the war continues, thousands of Ukrainian children have been separated from their families, displaced, or abducted by Russian forces. Kyrylo Lapko works on the front line of bringing these children home and helping them rebuild their lives.In this interview, we will discuss the realities of childhood in wartime Ukraine. How are children taken, and how can they be brought back? What does recovery look like after such trauma? And what gives hope for the future of a generation growing up amid conflict?Join us for an emotional conversation about the lived experiences of Ukrainian children!

As global tensions sharpen, the world is asking whether a new great power rivalry is emerging, with China at the center of attention. Understanding its direction has never been more urgent.Join us for a focused conversation tracing the forces behind China’s rise: the legacy of the century of humiliation, Deng Xiaoping’s bold reforms, shifting Party ideology, and Xi Jinping’s consolidation of power. We will connect these turning points to the strategic choices China is making today.We also look ahead to China’s long term ambitions, its search for alternatives to the Western led international order, and the pressures it faces from trade frictions to demographic change. Join us and discover the key trends and pressures driving China’s future direction!

When the CDA and governments were falling apart, Marnix van Rij was called back to bring calm to the chaos. Most people told him not to do it. He did it anyway. Not because it was easy, but because as he says, “someone has to stay optimistic.”With the release of his new book ‘Reflections of a Political Optimist’, Van Rij shares his visions on leadership, responsibility, and finances to stay hopeful. Even in his role as Member of the Executive Board at the IMF, his name remains relevant in the Netherlands. However, how many times can one man be called in to save a party – and a country – before optimism runs out?

Increased inequality, crumbling welfare services and skyrocketing rents. What has happened to the welfare state? And can it survive our decreasing taxpayer bases and ageing populations?Joining us on the Room for Discussion stage to discuss these questions, is one of the world's leading analysts of the welfare state, Professor Emeritus in Sociology of Pompeu Fabra and Bocconi University - Gøsta Esping-Andersen. His work focuses on the topic of welfare capitalism and his most known book “The Three Worlds of Welfare Capitalism” has helped shape the discipline as we know it today. Later in his career he relates his welfare studies to demographic issues such as the role of women and trends in fertility rates.Touching on topics such as wealth disparities, economic growth and “welfare-chauvinism”, this interview will help us understand dimensions of social inequality in the current political landscape. After a lifetime of studying these topics, where does he think we are headed? Don’t miss this opportunity to ask your questions to one of the world's leading scholars on welfare systems!

Join us as we welcome Anahit Galtsyan, a Principal Scientist at BASF, to the Room for Discussion stage. Her work brings together the science of genomics with the realities of innovation in a global company, offering a unique perspective on how research develops in practice and how the people behind the science shape its direction.In this interview, we will explore the role of diversity in scientific progress and discuss the opportunities and obstacles facing researchers today. The conversation will touch on the broader dynamics of STEM and academia, from the ways institutions foster knowledge creation to the challenges that can stand in the way of inclusion and collaboration.

Is Europe saving wisely, or simply doing too little, too late?With defence costs rising, growth slowing, and the green transition underway, the debate on how Europe spends or saves has never been more urgent. Should the EU expand joint borrowing to meet global challenges, or double down on national discipline?We’ll ask where prudence ends and under-investment begins, and how the Netherlands can remain competitive while holding firm to its frugal ideals.

Amsterdam turned 750 this year and stands at a crossroads. Prosperity has made it one of Europe’s most vibrant capitals, but also one of its most strained. Housing, tourism, and social divides test the city’s fabric, while national politics and budget cuts tighten the pressure from above.Join Mayor Femke Halsema in conversation with Room for Discussion as we explore how she navigates a city under pressure. How can Amsterdam remain free, diverse, and liveable in times of growing tension?

Premier van Nederland

With the elections in mind, this interview focuses on planning: priorities for affordable housing, European cooperation, and the SP's security policy. Will the SP succeed in governing for the first time?