Room for Discussion

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 Europe’s future.

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 war in Ukraine as well as the broader European security landscape.

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.io

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