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:

2014

Chris Zook

Apr 15, 2014 | 12:30 - 13:30

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

April 14 | 13:00 - 14:00

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.

"The first and number one fight for the Palestinian people is to be on the table and to be recognized as equals, amongst equals."

— Ammar Hijazi in RfD x ASAA: Words and Weapons with Ambassador Ammar Hijazi, Head of the Palestinian Mission to the Netherlands, February 3, 2026

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.