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:

2013

Frans van Houten (CEO Philips)

Sep 6, 2013 | 13:00 - 14:00

You Can’t Kill the Story — Laurent Richard, Founder of Forbidden Stories

June 9 | 13:00 - 14:00

Ann Pettifor

February 17, 2026

In this interview, Ann Pettifor, a political economist known for predicting the 2007/08 financial crash, discusses her views on the international financial system, which she refers to as the 'Global Casino.' She argues that the system is manipulated in favor of the wealthy elite, leading to financial crises that harm the general public. Pettifor emphasizes the need for regulation and a shift in focus towards domestic economies and climate change, advocating for a Green New Deal. She also highlights the importance of education and public understanding in driving systemic 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.