Previous events:

Selection from the Committee:

Laurens Norden

Lustrum: Defending our values? With Minister of Defence Ollongren

Jun 19, 2024 | 17:30 - 18:30

“In recent years, the European continent has seen the tensest geopolitical state since the fall of the Berlin Wall. War rages on the continent itself, and in its periphery. The Ukrainian conflict has required European nations to reassess their defence spending - which in many nations was seriously reduced - to ensure their security. The Palestinian-Israeli conflict has additionally forced nations to consider how their support, both military and economic, plays out in an electorate whose opinions have shifted. Against this backdrop, former member Jonathan and current member Saskia interviewed Kajsa Ollongren, outgoing Defence Minister of the Netherlands, at Marineterrein Naval Base. If these topics, and more, sound interesting, then this is the interview for you!”

This week in:

2018

Understanding North Korea

Apr 18, 2018 | 13:00 - 14:00

From Tulips to Turmoil: Ambassador Fatma Ceren Yazgan on Türkiye in Transition

April 14 | 13:00 - 14:00

Ammar Hijazi

February 3, 2026

In this interview, Ambassador Ammar Hijazi, Head of the Palestinian Mission to the Netherlands, discusses the challenges of representing Palestine without formal recognition from the Netherlands and amidst ongoing conflict. He highlights the importance of international law and the struggle for Palestinian self-determination. Hijazi emphasizes the need for global awareness and action to support Palestinian rights and criticizes the lack of accountability for Israeli actions. The conversation also touches on the historical context of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the role of international institutions.

"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.