Dear Room for Discussion community,

The calendar year is almost over! We want to thank you for all your enthusiasm you have shown this semester. From an election series with guests as Rob Jetten (perhaps our new prime minister), to the Mayor of Amsterdam and the Minister of Finances. And many other guests based on the recommendations you keep sending us.

And the interviews are not over yet! We have two more interviews planned for you this month and look forward to seeing you there. Keep an eye on our website and social media, for a continually updated overview of our full line-up and details. As always at Room for Discussion, students will have the opportunity to ask their questions directly during the conversation.

Good luck with the last assignments and exams, and make sure to have a study break by stopping by at the E-hall for thought-provoking discussions!

Upcoming interviews - What do we have in store for December?

Mei Li Vos - President of the Dutch Senate (Eerste Kamer)

December 3rd, 13:00-14:00, RfD stage

One of the most influential and yet least understood institutions of Dutch democracy: the Dutch Senate, de Eerste Kamer.

Most citizens know it exists, yet few understand how crucial its role really is or why 75 people whom we do not directly elect have the power to stop any law passed by the Parliament.

Together with Mei Li Vos, recently appointed President of the Senate, we try to find answers to the following: how does the Senate really work behind closed doors? How does an unelected chamber claim to safeguard the rule of law? And how legitimate is an institution that can kill any bill at the very last moment?

In an era of rising polarization and declining trust in government, these questions matter more than ever. Join us for an in-depth discussion and take the opportunity to ask your own questions.

BRICS SERIES: Steve Tsang - Director of SOAS China Institute

December 19th, 15:00-16:00, RfD Stage

As global tensions sharpen, the world is asking whether a new great power rivalry is emerging. With China increasingly at the centre of attention, understanding its ideological and economic direction has never been more urgent.

Join us for a focused conversation tracing the forces behind China’s rise: the legacy of the century of humiliation, Deng Xiaoping’s bold reforms, shifting party ideology, and Xi Jinping’s consolidation of power. We will connect these turning points in order to understand the strategic choices China is making today.

We also look ahead to China’s long term ambitions, its search for alternatives to the Western led international order and the many pressures it faces; from trade frictions to demographic change. Join us and discover the key trends and pressures creating China’s future!

This is the first interview of our BRICS Series about the coalition challenging western geopolitical dominance.

Past interviews - What Happened in November?

Eelco Heinen - Minister of Finance of the Netherlands

On November 10th, Room for Discussion welcomed Eelco Heinen, Minister of Finance of the Netherlands, for a conversation on fiscal prudence, European integration, and the politics of restraint.

With defence costs rising, growth slowing, and the green transition underway, the debate on how Europe spends or saves has never been more urgent. Should the EU expand joint borrowing to meet global challenges, or double down on national discipline?

We asked where prudence ends and under-investment begins, and how the Netherlands can remain competitive while holding firm to its frugal ideals.

Marnix van Rij, Former State Secretary of Finances of the Netherlands

November 19th, 13:00-14:00, RfD Stage

We hosted an exclusive interview with Marnix van Rij, former State Secretary of Finance and newly appointed Deputy Executive Director at the IMF. With decades of experience in both the private and public sectors, van Rij has stood at the crossroads of politics, fiscal reform, and global finance.

We discussed his time steering the Dutch Tax Administration through turbulent years, the challenges of restoring trust after the benefits scandal, and his vision for fair taxation in an increasingly globalized economy. What lessons does the Netherlands offer the world — and what awaits him in Washington?

Freek Janmaat- European Commission Representation in the Netherlands

November 26th, 13:00-14:00, RfD Stage

Europe faces a pivotal moment. Climate pressures are intensifying, geopolitical tensions are rising, and public budgets are under strain. The question is no longer whether governments should act, but how they can lead effectively in this new era.

After the COVID-19 crisis, the European Commission launched NextGenEU, the largest investment program in its history. This bold step reignited a central debate: Does Europe need stronger public leadership to steer the economy, or should it focus on cutting red tape to boost productivity?

To explore this crucial dilemma, we were joined by Freek Janmaat, Economic Counsellor at the European Commission’s Representation in the Netherlands. With direct insight into the Commission’s strategic thinking, he outlined how Europe envisions its fiscal and economic future.

David van Reybrouck - Cultural Historian and Author

November 27th, 13:00-14:00, RfD Stage

Forget the textbook version of history. The story of the modern world didn’t start in Europe. It began in Java, where a generation of young Indonesians dared to imagine freedom after centuries of Dutch rule. In Revolusi: Indonesia and the Birth of the Modern World, David Van Reybrouck, the award-winning author of Congo: The Epic History of a People, listens to the last surviving witnesses of that revolution.

What happens when history stops being about “men, names, and battles” and becomes about lived experiences? Why have the Netherlands long preferred to forget about its colonial past? How did Indonesia ignite a wave of decolonisation across the Global South? What a truly decolonised democracy could look like? 

Listen to a conversation about the revolution that gave birth to the modern world!

We are looking forward to seeing you at our events this December. Until then, stay engaged and stay interested!

Sincerely,

The Room for Discussion Team

Creators of this month's newsletter:

Writer: Zahra Sebbar

Marketing Officer: Hunter Hong