RfD | May: Climate Change, Human Rights, and Warfare
Hello! Welcome to another Room for Discussion Newsletter. The team and I have outlined everything you need to stay informed about Room for Discussion events below. Take a look!
Upcoming Events!
Public Speaking training, 16th of May, 19-21h
Do you want to be more confident when giving speeches, doing presentations, and hosting events? Then join Room for Discussion for a training on public speaking! We will go through public speaking and rhetorics exercises, and end the evening with a nice borrel. Location TBA.
Sign up here:
DeBalie discussion
Room for Discussion interview: The Man Behind the Panama Papers: Bastian Obermayer
Check out a brilliant discussion held by deBalie with renowned investigative journalists Frederik Obermaier and Bastian Obermayer. Obermaier and Obermayer, who won the Pulitzer Award for their book The Panama Papers, have now decided to go after someone that not even the CIA can find; Karl Lee (alias Li Fangwei).
Click on the title of the evend to find out more: Authors Panama Papers: In search of the most wanted arms dealer in the world.
Future Interviews: What's coming up in May?
Bjørn Lomborg -- 10th of May, 13:00-14:00, E-Hall, Roeterseiland
Climate change is one of the most defining challenges of our time, but what’s really the best way to tackle the issue and create a more sustainable future for all?
Bjørn Lomborg has an answer: an alternative that challenges the mainstream narrative on climate change, which has earned him both praise and criticism. He tries to address the critical trade-offs between climate, sustainability, and welfare that we will need to make in the 21st century. Don't miss this opportunity to engage with an influential voice in this important discussion about what the future of our fight against climate change should be!
Bjørn Lomborg will join for an interview at Room for Discussion on May 10th, 13-14h in the E-Hall.
Patricia Sellers --11th of May, 13:00-14:00, E-Hall, Roeterseiland
Ms. Sellers, a trailblazing prosecutor and legal consultant for the UN, will discuss sexual violence and modern-day slavery at the ICL. As a Special Advisor for Gender at the ICC and a Visiting Professor at the London School of Economics and the University of Oxford, she has developed groundbreaking strategies for interpreting sexual violence as a crime against humanity and genocide. She will also discuss how to confront modern day slavery.
Join us on May 11th from 13-14h for an eye-opening discussion with International Criminal Law expert, Patricia Viseur Sellers. ⚖️
Tom Middendorp -- 17th of May, 13:00-14:00, E-Hall, Roeterseiland (Dutch)
Oorlog en klimaatverandering lijken veel ruimte in onze geest in te nemen. Tom Middendorp, generaal bij de Koninklijke Landmacht, gaat in zijn boek Klimaatgeneraal op deze onderwerpen in. De heer Middendorp stelt dat klimaatverandering en veiligheid nauw met elkaar verbonden zijn. Wat is de relatie tussen droogte en conflict? Hoe verhoudt klimaatmitigatie zich tot het verminderen van veiligheidsbedreigingen?
Om deze vragen en meer te stellen, kun je op 17 mei van 13:00-14:00 bij ons zijn voor een ongewoon gesprek.
Interviews: What happened in April?
Ronald van Roeden -- 5th of April, 13:00-14:00, E-Hall, Roeterseiland
A Dutchman in Deutschland - A Conversation with Ronald van Roeden, Dutch Ambassador to Germany.
Interviewers: Elias Marseille & Patrik Blaszczok
Mr. van Roeden describe diplomatic life in Berlin, and Amsterdam, as “out in the open”. He compares it to his experience in Baghdad, where he “had much more frequent contact with [diplomatic] colleagues from different countries in order to get a better idea of what is going on in the government [due to transparency]”.
Elias Marseille, one of our interviewers, probed into the intricacies of the Dutch-German relationship, “Why is this diplomatic relationship so important?”. Mr. van Roeden observes that “there is substantial cooperation in the creative fields, political consultations, and military [cooperation].”
In the final minutes, Mr. van Roeden addressed the remilitarization of Germany. “This is not a remilitarization” he responds, “the military spending is long overdue. Germany, like the Netherlands, has never met the target of spending 2% on military.”
Jeroen van der Veer -- 12th of April, 13:00-14:00, E-Hall, Roeterseiland
Jeroen van der Veer - Former CEO of Shell
Interviewers: Ella Otterbeck & Rifka Roos - This interview was cancelled.
Geoffrey Robertson -- 18th of April, 13:00-14:00, E-Hall, Roeterseiland
Human Rights on Trial - A Conversation with Geoffrey Robertson KC
Interviewers: Angus Kerr & Sofiya Tryzub-Cook
“If you were retained as Putin’s Lawyer, how would you defend him?”, asked Room for Discussion interviewer Sofiya Tryzub-Cook. “I would defend him on the basis that, in 2003, Bush, Blair, and others did exactly the same thing in Iraq.” Explained Mr. Robertson. It is a “tu quoque argument” which holds that “you did it, so I can do it too”. However, Mr. Robertson maintains that “two wrongs do not make a right.”
The interviewers also discussed accountability. “There is no way at all to hold Putin accountable for Crimes of Aggression”, assured Mr. Robertson. However, Mr. Robertson informed the audience, he could absolutely be held liable for Command Responsibility, since “he is the supreme commander” of Russia’s forces. However, Mr. Robertson was not confident that this would ever happen.
Mr. Robertson also delved into the oligarchs which have been hiring british law firms to sue for defamation. He explained: “Free speech, in my opinion is very important”. However, “the British laws of defamation and privacy are far harsher than any others in the world.” Facing sanctions, this is a loophole that oligarchs have been able to use to their advantage.
Hans van den Berg -- 24th of April, 13:00-14:00, E-Hall, Roeterseiland
The Cost of Steel: Cancer, Environment & Responsibility- A Conversation with Hans van den Berg, Tata Steel NL
Interviewers: Koen Blaauw & Ella Otterbeck
“If you’re asking if I sleep well, I don't.” responded Mr. van den Berg on controversy surrounding the company. However, Mr. van den Berg’s reflection on the issue is contradicted by his claim that “the incidents [like the black snow] don’t have a big impact.” That said, “[Tata Steel] is not as clean as we would want to be.” Furthermore, Mr. van den Berg’s ostensible commitment to “emissions reductions since the Paris Agreements” leaves us with a question; is there, or isn’t there a problem, Mr. van den Berg? There is.
This sentiment was reflected by an audience member who “really hope[d] personally and objectively, that Tata Steel has to close its doors”. Mr. van den Berg noted that he “understood” what she meant. To paraphrase, he noted that someone should manage the issue. However, as CEO, one is left asking who, except for Mr. van den Berg, is responsible for managing the issue.
Quotes of the month
“I really appreciate that you're here today. I cannot deny that I really really hope personally but also objectively that Tata steel has to close its doors and that you personally will be sued according to criminal law but also civil law. And I know that I’m not the only one. Do you understand that?”
- Audience member to Tata Steel NL CEO Hans van den Berg.
“It is a kind of nuclear blackmail.”
- Geoffrey Robertson on Russia’s position towards the West and NATO supplying Ukraine with further resources or military support.
“I don’t know.”
- Tata Steel NL CEO Hans van den Berg on how lung cancer patients in Ijmuiden will be able to prove it is related to the Tata Steel plant.
That is all for this month! Don’t forget to think as dangerously as you dance. Asé.