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Room for Discussion is the interviewplatform of the University of Amsterdam. Every week we interview experts in the fields of politics and economics.
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18 FEB 2026 · Myanmar remains one of the world’s most repressive states. Political prisoners fill its jails, civil freedoms are crushed, and the military junta presses ahead with sham elections while defending itself at the International Court of Justice.
What responsibilities do foreign governments and businesses realistically pursue in such a context? Who is tasked with upholding international human rights standards, and what happens when those individuals themselves become targets?
Join us for a compelling conversation with Vicky Bowman, former UK Ambassador to Myanmar and Director of the now closed Myanmar Centre for Responsible Business. Drawing on her experience as a diplomat, business adviser, and former political prisoner of the junta, Bowman offers rare, firsthand insight into the real cost of defending human rights under authoritarian rule.
As Myanmar faces an uncertain future with no clear path to democracy or peace, this is a timely and urgent discussion on power, accountability, and the consequences of resistance.
18 FEB 2026 · Without formal recognition from the Netherlands, the Palestinian Mission is forced to rely on law, institutions, and words in a political landscape where others wield hard power. These constraints shape every aspect of how Palestine is represented internationally, even amidst what the UNHRC classifies as a genocide.
Together with Ambassador Ammar Hijazi (Permanent Representative of the State of Palestine to International Organizations in The Hague), we explore what it means to represent Palestine today. How can legal arguments compete with political and military power? What does negotiation look like under such conditions? Where does diplomacy reach its limits? And, what will the future of Palestine look like?
This interview is organized in collaboration with the https://asaamsterdam.nl/.
27 OCT 2025 · Op 29 oktober gaat Nederland naar de stembus, zo ook de 30.000 stemgerechtigde UvA-studenten.
Daarom ontvangen we op 9 oktober Ines Kostić, Tweede Kamerlid van de Partij voor de Dieren.
️Met het oog op de verkiezingen gaan we langs onderwerpen zoals dierenwelzijn, wonen, defensie, moreel leiderschap en verantwoordelijkheid.
️Zoals altijd bij Room for Discussion kunnen studenten tijdens het gesprek hun vragen rechtstreeks stellen; daar besteden we in deze serie extra aandacht aan.
15 SEP 2025 · Why did the centre of power shift across the world throughout human history, and why did it settle in the West after the 18th century? Did wars only serve to create a winner and a loser, or did they help spur the developments necessary for the safer, richer societies we enjoy today?
Historian Ian Morris, author of War! What is It Good for? And Why the West Rules–For Now, argues that geography and technology, not culture or genius, explain the shifting balance of power between East and West. Contrary to common notions of war as a destructive force, he demonstrates how violence has paradoxically built the large, stable states that made peace possible. In an age of shifting geopolitical realities, Morris’ extensive analysis of our past poignantly demonstrates how history can help us grasp the present.
1 JUL 2025 · On the sidelines of the NATO Summit in The Hague, Room for Discussion will host an exclusive morning interview with former Dutch Minister of Defence Kajsa Ollongren.
With war on Europe’s doorstep, uncertainty in Washington, and rising ambitions for European defense, NATO stands at a crossroads. How will the Alliance respond to today’s geopolitical shocks? What will Europe’s role be in shaping tomorrow’s security order? Can transatlantic unity hold in an era of shifting power?
From behind closed doors to the frontlines of European policy, Kajsa Ollongren brings a unique perspective on the debates now shaping the future of NATO—and Europe itself.
This event is part of the “NATO in the Huis”, a series of side events coordinated by the Clingendael Institute and Munich Security Conference on the sidelines of the NATO Summit 2025 in The Hague.
8 JUN 2025 · Join us for an exclusive interview with Alle Dorhout, the Dutch Ambassador to Ukraine and former Director of Intelligence at the AIVD. With valuable insights into the intersection of diplomacy and intelligence, Alle offers a firsthand perspective on navigating the complex political landscape during the war in Ukraine.
In this conversation, we dive deep into the history of the conflict, explore how it is leveraged in diplomacy, and discuss how intelligence can shape more informed decisions. With the shifting geopolitical landscape and the U.S. distancing itself from former allies, we ask the critical questions that every diplomat faces today.
30 MAY 2025 · CSR Election Debate - University of Amsterdam
From looming budget cuts in higher education to government directives on de-internationalisation, from defending the right to protest to safeguarding the mental well-being of students – this year, the university faces major decisions that will shape its future.
In the midst of these challenges, the Central Student Council (CSR) plays a crucial role. As the highest student representative body at the UvA, the CSR has the power to influence university policy, push for change, and protect student interests.
Join us for the CSR Election Debate: an open, critical conversation between student candidates on the issues that matter most.
This is your chance to hear how they plan to represent you and to ask questions, so that you can make an informed vote in shaping the university’s direction.
30 MAY 2025 · As cyberattacks grow in scale and sophistication, the lines between cybercrime, state-sponsored hacking, and digital warfare are becoming increasingly blurred. How can we protect individuals, and democratic institutions from the rising tide of cyber threats? Who should be held accountable for cyberattacks, and how can the international community step up its game?
Join us for a conversation with Stéphan Duguin, CEO of the CyberPeace Institute, an organization dedicated to reducing the harm caused by cyber threats and promoting accountability in cyberspace. We will dive into why the issue of cybersecurity demands immediate action, what the geopolitical and human implications of cyberattacks are, and explore what needs to be done to secure a safer digital future for everyone.
26 MAY 2025 · When the newspapers are full of horrifying stories, international law sometimes feels impotent. Why is it still important? In what way is the term “genocide” political? Is our international system failing if world powers don’t subscribe to it? And why would we need a fifth international crime of “Ecocide”? Philippe Sands is a specialist in international law, with over 40 years of experience in advocating for justice in front of the world’s most significant courts, such as the International Court of Justice, the International Criminal Court and the European Court of Human Rights. Most importantly, Sands does not just practice international law; he tells its story.
Room for Discussion is the interviewplatform of the University of Amsterdam. Every week we interview experts in the fields of politics and economics.
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| Organization | roomfordiscussion@sefa.nl |
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