RfD | November: Populism, Diplomacy, Trading and Russia
As we usher in the festive season, this newsletter provides a sneak peek into the upcoming delights we have in store for you in December. Additionally, we'll also recap the captivating events Room for Discussion hosted in November and October. We are wishing you a joyous holiday season filled with warmth, community, and intellectual exploration.
Uncovering Stories with Investigative Journalism, Intelligence, and OSINT
13th of December, 19:00, Roeterseiland
Room for Discussion is excited to host OSINT for Ukraine in an upcoming workshop that delves into the realm of OSINT journalism, investigations, and intelligence. OSINT, or open-source intelligence, involves the collection and analysis of data from diverse sources to produce actionable insights. As we grapple with current global dynamics, OSINT journalism has become a vital tool for data-driven reporting. This interactive workshop will address fundamental questions about intelligence, its collection methodologies, and its role in discerning the truth in today's news landscape.
OSINT for Ukraine, an independent non-profit initiative, brings together a team of young professionals dedicated to using OSINT to investigate international crimes in Ukraine, scrutinise influence and disinformation operations in Europe, and provide comprehensive OSINT courses. Founded by experts in OSINT investigation, investigative journalism, and international law, OSINT for Ukraine offers a unique perspective on navigating an increasingly complex information environment. Join us for an immersive exploration into OSINT's role in fostering a more informed and critically aware society.
Future Interviews
What’s coming up in December?
Right from the Voters Mouth: Populism and the Far Right. Conversation with Cas Mudde -- 6th of December, 13:00-14:00, E-Hall, Roeterseiland (English)
Geert Wilders’ PVV recent election win is the latest addition to a trend of far-right populists winning big elections. Spanning from Argentina with Javier Melei to Italy with Giorgia Meloni, the Far Right seems to be on rise. There is no one better to talk about these events than Cas Mudde, the preeminent scholar on populism and the Far Right.
Join us at Room for Discussion where we will discuss these political earthquakes and their main drivers on 6 December from 13:00-14:00 at the E-Hall on the Roeterseiland campus
The Dutch as Ambivalent Europeans? A Conversation with Tom de Bruijn -- 7th of December, 13:00-14:00, E-Hall, Roeterseiland (English)
Having worked as a diplomat, ambassador, government official, minister, and mayor for decades – Tom de Bruijn has extensive experience in navigating politics at a variety of levels from guiding the formation of EU treaties to negotiating the formation of municipal councils informs his broad view on the inner workings of government and diplomacy. Throughout, he has gained a unique view on the role of the Netherlands within the European Union and the broader Euro-Atlantic community, with his career taking him from the Hague to Brussels and Geneva.
Looking back, what does he expect the future of the European Union to look like? How does the Netherlands fit into this with the recent victory of eurosceptic Geert Wilders? How much has changed for the Dutch appetite for increased EU accession since de Bruijn was involved in drafting the 2014 association agreement with Ukraine?
If you’re interested to discover the answer to these questions and more, join us at 13-14h, on Thursday, December 7th, for our interview with Tom de Bruijn!
Market Making and Transforming Trading with the CEO of Flow Traders --- 8th of December, 13:00-14:00, E-Hall, Roeterseiland (English)
euros? How important will cryptocurrencies be in the future? Is data going to change the way we think of investing? Will regulations reshape financial markets?
The CEO of Flow Traders, Mike Kuehnel, is coming to Room for Discussion to answer all of these questions!
Flow Traders is a global leader in technology-enabled liquidity provision and one of the world’s major financial institutions. We will explore Mr. Kuehnel’s personal rise to success, what a market-maker is and how it operates, the future of digital assets, how data is shaping financial markets and the role of regulation in them. Join us at the E-Hall on December 8th, 13:00 – 14:00, for an exciting and though-provoking deep dive into financial markets!
Walking the Authoritarian Tightrope with Derk Sauer (Founder of the Moscow Times) --- 11th of December, 13:00-14:00, E-Hall, Roeterseiland (English)
In 1969 the Dutch security services opened a file on a 17 year old boy. His name was Derk Sauer. The security services were right about one thing: Derk Sauers life is worth following.
Later he founded his own publishing firm with crown Jewel the Moscow Times, to this day one of the few independent Russian media outlets. The question now is: How will independent Russian media survive? Let's explore this question together on the 11th of December, 13:00 in the E-Hall of the Roeterseiland Campus.
Past Interviews: What happened in November?
From boxes to boardrooms: Amazon’s Career Secrets with the Chief Commercial Officer of Amazon Benelux, Michelle Goderie -- 30th November, 13:00-14:00, E-Hall, Roeterseiland (English)
Room for Discussion was pleased to host Michelle Goderie, Chief Commercial Officer of Amazon Benelux, as part of the overarching 'Career Week'.
During the interview, Ms. Goderie shared her professional journey, spanning from Unilever to Blocker, Ahold Delhaize, and her current role at Amazon. She emphasised the significance of seizing diverse opportunities, highlighting the expansive array of markets and possibilities available.
When discussing Amazon, Ms.Goderie provided valuable insights into Amazon Benelux's current initiatives aimed at optimising its functions, , enhancing features, and prioritising customer satisfaction. Additionally, she underscored Amazon's strong commitment to sustainability, detailing the launch of Amazon's second-hand marketplace and highlighting the ambitious goal of achieving net-zero carbon emissions across all operations by 2040.
Amsterdams Studentendebat -- 20th of November, 20:00-22:00, Zuiderkerk, Amsterdam (Dutch)
De maandag voor de Tweede Kamerverkiezingen stonden 7 partijen tegenover elkaar in de Zuiderkerk in een debat georganiseerd door ASVA, de AKvV, en Room for Discussion.
Tijdens de 2-uur durende avond werden aan de hand van thema's als basisbeurscompensatie en klimaatverandering de verschillen tussen de partijen uitgelicht om de studenten een handvat te geven voor hun stembiljet.
Bekijk het volgende artikel van AT5 voor een volledige omschrijving van de avond in de Zuiderkerk: Jonge kandidaat-Kamerleden tegenover elkaar in studentendebat: "Representatie is belangrijk"
The Legacy of Nazi Billionaires: A Conversation with David de Jong -- 20th of November, 13:00-14:00, E-Hall, Roeterseiland (English)
Room for Discussion was pleased to have journalist and author David de Jong join us on our stage to discuss the topic of ‘Nazi Billionaires’.
During the interview, De Jong shared the fascinating journey of discovering Germany's wealthiest dynasties and their concealed pasts, recounting his four-year exploration and the diverse source materials he gathered for his book. De Jong sheds light on the troubling stories of companies reluctance to confront their murky associations with Hitler, presenting his book as an argument advocating historical transparency.
20 Days in Mariupol: International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam -- 14th of November, 14:45 – 16:55, Kriterion (Ukrainian, English)
Rejeito: International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam - 12th of November, 17:00 – 18:51, Rialto VU (Portuguese, English)
Room for Discussion moderated two sessions during IDFA.
Imagining Utopias – A Conversation with Kim Stanley Robinson -- 8th of November, 13:00-14:00, E-Hall, Roeterseiland (English)
Room for Discussion was honoured to host Kim Stanley Robinson to discuss his bestselling climate fiction novel ‘The Ministry for the Future’. Many consider Mr. Robinson to be one of the greatest science fiction writers of our time - his extensive list of publications dates back to the early 1980s. ‘The Ministry for the Future’ has received praise from the Barack Obama and Bill Gates. Contents of the novel have triggered promising debates amongst policymakers and scholars.
During our interview, Mr. Robinson touched on early experiences in nature as a teenager growing up in California. We had the pleasure of hearing his stories hiking in the Sierra Nevadas, better understood his unique relationship with nature and its influence on his writing, and learned about the role of science fiction in shaping future realities. Additionally, Mr. Robinson explained why he would make Thomas Piketty the finance minister of his ministry for the future and dove deeper into policy propositions such as the carbon coin. We had an incredible time with Mr. Robinson and were honoured to be part of his busy itinerary during his Europe tour.
Past Interviews: What happened in October?
Voorzitter of the GGZ: Ruth Peetoom -- 10th of October, 13:00-14:00, E-Hall, Roeterseiland (English)
On World Mental Health day, the chairwoman of the mental healthcare providers in the Netherlands came to Room for Discussion to talk about her own experience with mental health, and the importance of a day like World Mental Health day.
Peetoom emphasized that especially for students, mental health is a topic that requires caution, given that we are a generation under stress. Furthermore, the challenges for the Dutch health system were discussed.
Director of Milieudefensie: Donald Pols -- 11th of October, 13:00-14:00, E-Hall, Roeterseiland (English)
On October 11th, Donald Pols, the director of Milieudefensie and one of the most influential voices in the field of climate activism, made his debut on the Room for Discussion stage. The timing of his visit was spot on because the day before, the 2de Kamer had voted in favor of a motion that urged the Dutch Government to explore a phase-out plan for fossil subsidies. During the interview, Donald shared his vision on climate activism, his experiences with the Shell-lawsuit and defended the need for acceleration in the green transition. Lastly, he urged the audience to keep an eye on Milieudefensie as they will soon announce a new lawsuit as part of their fight for climate justice.
Quotes of the month
“I am on a hunt: how can we make this system turn for good in the world without any revolution?”
- Kim Stanley Robinson on utopian visions for the future
“We can only achieve the scale of change that is necessary if we regulate the largest polluters”
- Donald Pols on the next steps to meet the Paris Agreement
That is all for this month! Stay tuned for our upcoming line-up as we celebrate Room for Discussion's 15th birthday, a milestone that we can't wait to share with you. In the meantime, we wish you a great month ahead. We look forward to seeing you all at our next interview!
All the best, Room for Discussion Team