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!”

Boiling the Frog – The Risks We’re Not Ready For with DNB President Olaf Sleijpen

October 9 | 13:00 - 14:00

Hans van den Berg

April 24, 2023

In this interview, Hans van den Berg, CEO of Tata Steel NL, discusses the challenges and responsibilities of transitioning Tata Steel towards a more sustainable future. He addresses the company's significant carbon emissions and the plans to shift to green steel production using hydrogen. The conversation also touches on the health impacts of emissions on local communities, the need for government support, and the complexities of balancing economic and environmental responsibilities.

"Democracy is about responsibility first of all. Everybody can contribute into the fight and just do what he or she can on his or her place."

— Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya in Toppling “Europe’s Last Dictator”: A Conversation with Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, January 14, 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.