RfD | March: Lobbyists, Ministers, and Satire Artists
Application Season
Room for Discussion is now accepting applications for interviewers to join the team. Interviewers--as the name implies--interview guests on stage in front of an audience. However, they also provide feedback for interviews, organise events with the team, and contribute to the smooth running of the committee.
So, if you or someone you know is interested in:
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interviewing household heroes (or foes)
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learning how to ask powerful questions
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receive trainings from top-journalists and rhetorics coaches, we encourage you to apply!
Send in your application before March 20th 11:59pm.
For more information please visit our website here.
Get Social!
Room for Discussion is also hosting a PubQuiz at Krater on the 16th of March, from 19:00-22:00. Teams are made up of five people. So, swing by for some good times, free beer, and friendly (or, not-so-friendly 😉) competition! Sign up for the PubQuiz here!
Future Interviews: What's coming up in March?
De Natuur op Instorten – In gesprek met de Minister voor Natuur en Stikstof
6th of March | 13:00 - 14:00 | 🇳🇱 Dutch
Sinds 2019 is Nederland in de ban van stikstof, en het ziet er niet naar uit dat de grijze lucht gaat opklaren. De provincie kleurt blauw wit rood, en de kloof tussen de Randstad en het platteland is groter dan ooit. Met de provinciale statenverkiezingen voor de deur en Caroline van der Plas op de mat gaan wij het met Christianne van der Wal—de Minister voor Natuur en Stikstof—hebben over de problemen en oplossingen voor deze crisis.
6 maart zal de minister aanschuiven voor een gesprek over het gebrek aan vertrouwen in de Nederlandse overheid. Hoe worden de boeren weer blij en kunnen de huizen weer gebouwd worden? We nemen je in mee van het nuchtere platteland naar roerig Den Haag, en leggen je in een uur alles uit wat je moet weten over deze crisis die Nederland al sinds 2019 platlegt.
The most powerful lobbyist in the Netherlands – with Ingrid Thijssen, Chair of the Dutch Employers Lobby
8th of March | 14:00 - 15:00
Ingrid Thijssen is the chair of the Dutch Employers lobby, VNO NCW. She has been called the ‘most powerful lobbyist’ in the Netherlands. On behalf of the Dutch Businesses, she has been warning about the business climate of Holland. According to her, this is deteriorating to a point at which many companies are contemplating leaving the Netherlands.
Ms. Thijssens career started in NS public transport, where she climbed the corporate ladder to CEO. After 21 years, she moved on to and became CEO of Alliander. She was the Top businesswoman of the year in 2016.
She will be joining us at the Room for Discussion couches on the 8th of March from 14:00-15:00 in the E-hall.
Football - Games Beyond the Field - A Conversation with Former Vice President of UEFA, Michael van Praag
13th of March | 13:00 - 14:00
On Monday 13th of March, Michael van Praag is joining Room for Discussion to discuss the world of football. Having been in positions such as Chairman of Ajax, head of KNVB and vice-president of UEFA and much more, Michael van Praag has valuable insights into the football management industry.
We will discuss the ups and downs of his career, as well as the past, present and future of football. How does one develop a successful football team? How are the current challenges facing sport today, from issues to diversity and inclusion to corruption and economic impact? We invite you to join us, for what promises to be a fascinating and thought-provoking conversation.
Join interviewers Elias and Veronika on March 13th from 13:00-14:00 in the E-Hall!
Tussen satire en politiek: een gesprek met Jochem van den Berg, oprichter van de Speld
14th of March | 13:00 - 14:00 | 🇳🇱 Dutch
Velen zijn er mee opgegroeid, hebben het misschien weleens voor waar aan gezien, of hebben er in ieder geval om gelachen: De Speld is inmiddels bijna cultureel erfgoed geworden. Hoe maak je nou écht een goede grap? Wat is de kracht van humor? En mogen we inderdaad niets meer zeggen tegenwoordig?
Dinsdag 14 maart, om 13.00, komt Jochem van den Berg, oprichter van Nederlands grappigste newsoutlet, bij Room for Discussion om op deze vragen (en meer) antwoord te geven.
Interviews: What happened in February?
February started--and ended--with a bang. We spoke to Peter-Paul Verbeek, UvA's new Rector (not-so) Magnificus, about education, student life, and diversity. Then, in the backdrop of a devastating earthquake in Turkey and Syria, we spoke to Marieke van Schaik--Head of The Red Cross. Finally, we discussed drugs and healthcare with Ernst Kuipers, Minister of Health.
The team and I have laid out everything you need to know about what happened and what we have in store. Get ready.
Peter-Paul Verbeek
The Top of the UvA Mountain
In the midst of corporate ties, housing, issues surrounding diversity, and student occupations--Mr. Verbeek had a lot to answer for. We had a lot to ask.
Mr. Verbeek chose the UvA because "everything we do starts from societal engagement". He continues, when asked what makes a good student, "[someone] who managed to managed to follow his/her ambitions". The UvA has an obligation to "provide students with a safe space" in order to foster these skills. However, this obligation stops where housing begins.
Mr. Verbeek, in response to the 27,000 deficit in student houses, claims that "we are not even allowed to offer housing to our students--that's not our role as a university". He responded similarly to diversity at UvA.
When asked "what are your plans to make the UvA more representative of broader society?". Mr. Verbeek emphasised that " ⅓ of the UvA is international". Interestingly, he did not comment on the racial--predominantly white-- make-up of the university.
Finally, he was held to answer for UvA's response to January 16 occupiers. Mr. Verbeek claimed that "it was a hard choice [to call the police]", the audience resounded with a boo, "we allow students to demonstrate, but not to occupy". When asked why the university does not cut ties with Shell--which was the reason for the demonstration--he maintained that it is "important to keep an open environment for discussion". He did not directly comment on greenwashing, despite further questions.
Marieke van Schaik
Humanitarian Crises Today and Tomorrow
Marieke van Schaik, head of the Red Cross, met us a day after the devastating earthquakes in Turkey and Syria. We discussed what the Red Cross is, what they do, and how we can help.
Ms. Schaik emphasised that "[the Red Cross] is everywhere, that is our strength". Their international recognition allows them to help people all over the world. This includes war-zones, natural disasters, and many more. However, the world is full of tragedies--how do they decide which ones are important?
Ms. Schaik recognized this shortcoming. She suggested that there isn't a methodology for determining what does--and does not--matter. However, it does become an issue in news cycles that wrestle our attention-spans between different issues.
Ernst Kuipers
A Conversation About the Dutch Drug Epidemic
The Netherlands is known for its liberal Marijuana laws. So, we spoke to the Minister of Health, Ernst Kuipers about drug legalisation, the status of healthcare, and the impact of drugs on health.
From the start, Kuipers recognized that "we need to change the course of healthcare in the Netherlands". The Netherlands "is the size of large city…there is no reason why [with the funding] we should not have the best healthcare". This was especially relevant in the wake of COVID-19. From the start, he said: "I was in crisis mode, I really had to tell everybody this was the new normal". However, one may wonder whether or not normalcy has resolved core issues impacting Dutch healthcare--such as staff shortages. "We have seen a rapid increase" in staff numbers "but this is still not enough".
The question of Cannabis (which is currently decriminalised) legalisation is still on the table. "We're doing these experiments, with regulated Cannabis" which will determine whether or not it is legalised.
MDMA was also brought into the discussion. "We are now coming to the recognition that there are also a lot of medicinal uses of MDMA". However, legalising MDMA has implications beyond the Netherlands, and could become an "international issue".
Pictured: Trolly-problem on protest flyer passed around during interview.
Friends of the show
Quotes of the month
"STOP THE TIES, STOP THE TIES!"
- Protestor's repudiating UvA's ties to Shell. Interview with Peter-Paul Verbeek.
"It weighs on me."
- Marieke van Schaik on moments when one truly cannot help.
"This is going to be an uncomfortable question, but those are the best ones."
- Audience member asking about Whiteness at UvA during interview with Peter-Paul Verbeek.
"A good laugh at yourself is always a good approach."
- Ernst Kuipers, on confronting large and complicated problems.
From the whole Room for Discussion team, farewell and Asé-- see you next month!