Previous events:

Selection from the Committee:

Sol Zeev Ben Mordehai

Verkiezingsserie: Rob Jetten, leider van D66

Oct 8, 2025 | 13:00:00 - 14:00:00

“In the run-up to last year’s pivotal Dutch general election, political debate across the Netherlands centred on the future direction of the country, from the housing shortage and the future of education to pursuing ambitious climate goals amid growing geopolitical and economic pressures. Current members Zahra and Gabe interviewed Rob Jetten, at the time lead candidate for D66 and now Prime Minister of the Netherlands, as part of Room for Discussion’s election series. Even after the vandalism of his party’s headquarters after a far-right protest, Rob Jetten continued to promote optimism under the slogan “It can be done”. If you need some political optimism and these topics, and more, sound interesting, then this is the interview for you!”

This week in:

2020

After the Pandemic: How Covid-19 will transform democracy, development and the climate crisis

Oct 29, 2020 | 15:00 - 16:00

1708 Days of Full-Scale Invasion: With Ukrainian Ambassador Andriy Kostin

October 28 | 14:00 - 15:00

Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya

January 14, 2025

Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, the leader of the Belarusian opposition, shared her journey from being a housewife to becoming a symbol of democratic resistance against the authoritarian regime of Alexander Lukashenko. In an inspiring interview, Tsikhanouskaya detailed the challenges and triumphs of leading a movement for change from exile. She stressed the importance of international solidarity and the fragility of democracy, urging democratic nations to support Belarus's struggle. Despite facing criticism from within and outside the opposition, Tsikhanouskaya remains committed to her cause, driven by the hope of freeing political prisoners, including her husband. Her resilience and dedication have kept Belarus high on the international agenda, pushing for a peaceful transition to democracy. The interview highlighted the interconnectedness of Belarus's fight with broader geopolitical dynamics, particularly the war in Ukraine, and the critical role of international support in achieving democratic change.

"Amsterdam also not only is a city but also a state of mind. And the state of mind is a state of tolerance, curiosity, well, strangeness, a little bit."

— Femke Halsema in Amsterdam 750: a Conversation with Mayor Femke Halsema, October 30, 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.