RfD | April: International Relations and Fossil Fuels
Applications
A very special thank you to those who sent in an application to join Room for Discussion. You are all very impressive and very much appreciated!
PubQuiz
We would also like to thank everybody who came to the pubquiz. We had a great time - hope you did as well! ;)
Keep your eyes and ears peeled for our next event!
Future Interviews: What's coming up in April?
A Dutchman in Deutschland- A Conversation with Ronald van Roeden, Dutch Ambassador to Germany.
5th of April | 13:00 - 14:00 | E-Hall, Roeterseiland
From bitter football rivalries to beer preferences, the Dutch and Germans have a long and complicated history. As a Dutchman living and working in Germany, Ambassador Ronald van Roeden knows firsthand about the stereotypes and cliches that surround these two countries. In our interview, he shares his thoughts on the challenges and opportunities facing these two countries in a changing geopolitical landscape. So if you're looking for a fascinating and entertaining discussion of Dutch-German relations, join us for our interview!
SHELL - A Conversation with Former CEO of Shell, Jeroen van der Veer.
12th of April | 13:00-14:00 | E-Hall, Roeterseiland
Room for Discussion is hosting Jeroen van der Veer for a discussion of his time as CEO of Shell, 2004-2009. We take a look at notable events during his terms, Shell’s relationship to climate change, and the general trajectory of extractive industries. If you’re interested in climate change, the geopolitics of oil, and multinational corporations, come by for the interview!
Geoffrey Robertson
13th of March | 13:00 - 14:00
"Geoffrey Ronald Robertson AO, KC is a human rights barrister, academic, author and broadcaster. He holds dual Australian and British citizenship. Robertson is a founder and joint head of Doughty Street Chambers." -Wikipedia
CEO of Tata Steel NL: Hans van den Berg
14th of March | 13:00 - 14:00 | 🇳🇱 Dutch
As the largest emitter of the Netherlands, Tata Steel is a company that has a lot of eyes directed at itself. We'll be asking the CEO of Tata Steel NL about the challenges that lay ahead, and how exactly it is planning to make their climate aspirations come true.
Interviews: What happened in March?
March was the weightiest of times, and the lightest of times. We spoke Christianne Wan der Wal, the Dutch Minister of Nature and Nitrogen, about climate policy, dissent from farmers, and (of course) the Nitrogen Crisis. Then, on International Women's Day, we talked to Ingrid Thijssen -- the most powerful lobbyist in the Netherlands. Then, Michael van Praag, the Vice President of UEFA, joined us for a discussion on family, football, and teamwork. Finally, we inquired, Jochem van den Berg, co-Founder and Chief of De Speld, about satire and politics.
Take a look below to find out what happened.
Christianne van der Wal
De natuur op instorten - In gesprek met de minister voor Natuur en Stikstof
Concerning the Dutch elections, Ms. van der Wal notes, "What you see now is that everybody is talking about nitrogen. Sense, and nonsense are flying over the table". We pushed her reasoning with respect to why it has taken so long to improve these conditions. MP. van der Wal admits that "we just postponed the problem to other politicians".
Policies impacting farmers also entered the conversation. A reduction of 5 megatons of nitrogen is abstract. However, "once you look at it per area then it becomes very clear". She continues, " if you look at it per farm it becomes visible how painful it is".
Nevertheless, she maintains the VVD's economic position: "we can not stop growing, but we have to do it sustainably". Whether this is contradictory is, of course, up for discussion.
Finally, she spoke about the responsibility to vote. The most important thing, for Ms. van der Wal, is to vote in the first place.
Ingrid Thijssen
The Most Powerful Lobbyist in The Netherlands.
In the backdrop of Royal Dutch Shell leaving the Netherlands, Unilever making plans to leave, and environmental crises, Ingrid Thijssen, head of the largest employers association in the Netherlands (VNO-NCW) came to speak with us.
As a representative of 90% of Dutch businesses, her job involves "talking to media, politicians, ministers being on podiums like [Room for Discussion]." When asked about the impacts of Shell and Unilever leaving the Netherlands, she notes that "these companies are extremely important for the Economy" and that "they invest the most money in research and development". Furthermore, she suggests that "far too many people in the country are too comfortable with companies like Shell leaving".
Shell has been an incredibly relevant topic at the UvA during the past months. So, we asked about the voices which consider Shell leaving as a 'win', she suggests that "it is disappointing that we no longer seem to see the relevance of these types of companies".
Michael van Praag
Vice President of UEFA.
"You are back!", remarked Elias Marseille, a Room for Discussion interviewer, as he welcomed Mr. van Praag to the stage. "Yes", he responded through a grin, "it's my second time!".
Football is hard to manage. Nowadays, "when you fire someone, the world seems to know it before you do." He expanded on this in the context of social media. To paraphrase, "when a footballer does something, it is impossible to contain it". This can put pressure on managers, staff, and the entire team.
Football is about relationships. Mr. van Praag reflected on this while Louis van Galen, a top tier football manager. "He had such a talent for team building" he explains, "with him on their team the beat everybody". In response to an audience question, Mr. van Praag remarks "when you have a team, you know what you are good and not so good at. You help each other become better."
Mr. van Praag has an unusual relationship to football. He went from completely uninterested (despite his father being former chair of Ajax) to requiring "anxiety medication during matches" for a short period of time.
Football is also a sport with a history of corruption. When asked when this quid-pro-quo tradition will change, Mr. van Praag thinks that "it changes with Gianni Infantino. Everybody is against him, but he has changed a lot in Fifa". He continues, "I dare say, corruption is gone in Fifa".
Jochem van den Berg
De Kracht van Humor, met Jochem van den Berg
The absurdity of politics is often best captured through satire. Jochem van den Berg, Editor and Founder of De Speld, explains that a good satirical writer "is usually a bit strange, but mostly people with sharp observational skills, an analytical brain".
We discussed comedy in relation to controversy, "we are a current medium, so we're going to respond to major events", he continues, "we know there is a large audience that thinks you can't make a joke about [certain things]". However, "the emotions are very strange" and difficult.
When asked, is there anything specific people like about society laughing at society, "well, that's something you'd have to ask The People 😉", on a more serious note, "there are many reasons" in some cases "people want to see what the playground of De Speld will do with an event". However, it also makes sure that "people don't get too cynical".
Quotes of the month
"We moeten zorgen dat we niet over de boeren spreken maart met ze."
"We have to make sure we don't talk about the farmers, but with them."
- Christianne van der Wal on climate policy and farmers.
"I dare say, corruption is gone in Fifa".
- Michael van Praag on corruption in football.
From the whole Room for Discussion team, farewell and Asé-- see you next month!