Room for Discussion

Op 29 oktober gaat Nederland naar de stembus, zo ook de 30.000 stemgerechtigde UvA-studenten.

Daarom ontvangen we op 9 oktober Ines Kostić, Tweede Kamerlid van de Partij voor de Dieren.

️Met het oog op de verkiezingen gaan we langs onderwerpen zoals dierenwelzijn, wonen, defensie, moreel leiderschap en verantwoordelijkheid.

️Zoals altijd bij Room for Discussion kunnen studenten tijdens het gesprek hun vragen rechtstreeks stellen; daar besteden we in deze serie extra aandacht aan.

Why did the centre of power shift across the world throughout human history, and why did it settle in the West after the 18th century? Did wars only serve to create a winner and a loser, or did they help spur the developments necessary for the safer, richer societies we enjoy today?

Historian Ian Morris, author of  War! What is It Good for? And Why the West Rules–For Now, argues that geography and technology, not culture or genius, explain the shifting balance of power between East and West. Contrary to common notions of war as a destructive force, he demonstrates how violence has paradoxically built the large, stable states that made peace possible. In an age of shifting geopolitical realities, Morris’ extensive analysis of our past poignantly demonstrates how history can help us grasp the present.

On the sidelines of the NATO Summit in The Hague, Room for Discussion will host an exclusive morning interview with former Dutch Minister of Defence Kajsa Ollongren.

With war on Europe’s doorstep, uncertainty in Washington, and rising ambitions for European defense, NATO stands at a crossroads. How will the Alliance respond to today’s geopolitical shocks? What will Europe’s role be in shaping tomorrow’s security order? Can transatlantic unity hold in an era of shifting power?

From behind closed doors to the frontlines of European policy, Kajsa Ollongren brings a unique perspective on the debates now shaping the future of NATO—and Europe itself.

This event is part of the “NATO in the Huis”, a series of side events coordinated by the Clingendael Institute and Munich Security Conference on the sidelines of the NATO Summit 2025 in The Hague.

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.

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.