Room for Discussion Events in June
Dear Room for Discussion community,
Exam season is coming to a close, the terraces are filling up, and Amsterdam is slowly remembering what sunlight feels like. May has come and gone, and with it, some of this academic year's most interesting conversations yet.
Wrapping up the year, June continues that trend: We welcome a peace-builder navigating the politics of conflict resolution, a neuropsychopharmacologist fired for saying what the data showed, a legal scholar whose 1989 concept now sits at the center of a culture war and an investigative journalist protecting the work of those who can no longer do it themselves. Each guest, in their own way, is asking what it means to tell the truth when the stakes are high.
Keep an eye on our website and social media for updates, and come ready to ask your questions.
We are looking forward to seeing you in the E-hall this month and hope that the sunshine is not the only thing getting brighter!
Upcoming interviews - What Do we Have in Store for June?
Promoting Peace or Power? With Paige Alexander, CEO of the Carter Center
Tuesday 2nd of June | E-hall | 13:00-14:00
Palestine, Sudan, Iran. Global conflicts dominate the headlines every day. But what does it actually take to build lasting peace? And who gets to decide what that peace looks like?
Together with Paige Alexander, CEO of the Carter Center, we explore the role of the international community in conflict resolution, democracy promotion, and the politics of peacebuilding. Founded by former US President Jimmy Carter and Rosalynn Carter to advance human rights worldwide, the Carter Center is now active in peace and development efforts across the globe.
Drawing on decades of experience, Alexander will discuss how peace is negotiated, how local communities shape outcomes, and what it would take to achieve lasting peace in Palestine.
Beyond the Nutt House: David Nutt on Rational Drug Policy
Thursday 4th of June | E-hall | 13:00-14:00
Horse riding is more dangerous than taking ecstasy. This statement that got David Nutt fired as the UK government’s chief drug advisor. Since then, the neuropsychopharmacologist and professor at Imperial College London has spent years challenging the logic behind drug policy. He argues that alcohol may be more harmful to society than many illegal drugs.
Why do societies normalise some drugs while fearing others? If alcohol causes enormous social harm, why is it culturally celebrated while psychedelics remain criminalised? How much of the war on drugs is actually about public health, and how much about the powerful lobby? And if prohibition has failed, what would a responsible drug culture look like instead?
Talking Back and Looking Forwards - Prof. Kimberlé Crenshaw on Intersectionality
Friday 5th of June | REC C1.04 | 15:00-16:30
Prof. Kimberlé Crenshaw coined the term intersectionality in 1989 and is one of the founders of Critical Race Theory. Since then, the framework has shaped civil rights law, sparked global movements… and become a target. As DEI programs are dismantled, histories are erased, and the word "woke" is weaponized, her work has never been more contested or more necessary.
The influential legal scholar and author will discuss her new book Backtalker: An American Memoir and the enduring relevance of her work on intersectionality with Room for Discussion on Friday, June 5th.
Keeping Journalists Alive - Laurent Richard founder of Forbidden Stories
Tuesday 9th of June | E-hall | 13:00-14:00
This year alone, 435 journalists have been detained and 18 have been killed for their work. And yet in most cases, those behind these attacks face no consequences.
Forbidden Stories continues the work of journalists who can’t do so themselves, with the message that “Killing the journalist won’t kill the story”. With their reports on conflict, corruption, organised crime and environmental and human rights violations, Forbidden Stories was awarded the European Press Prize in 2025.
Together with Laurent Richard, documentarian, investigative journalist of 25+ years, and founder of Forbidden Stories, we will discuss the implications declining freedom of press and increasing threats to journalists have for democracies around the world.
Past interviews - What Happened in May?
As always, you will be able to find our interviews back on Room for Discussion’s social media and YouTube channel shortly after the events. Too curious to see what you missed? Check out the overview below
Balancing BRICS and Beyond: A conversation with Dutch Ambassador to South-Africa Joanne Doornewaard
The relationship between the Netherlands and South Africa stretches back centuries, shaped by both painful history and meaningful cooperation. To explore this complex and evolving relationship, we were joined by Joanne Doornewaard, Dutch Ambassador to South Africa. As an experienced diplomat, she helped us unpack the history, tensions, and opportunities that continue to define this important partnership; from the Netherlands' historical role in the slave trade to its current position as one of South Africa's key economic partners.
We discussed how Dutch interests in South Africa have shifted over time, what South Africa's alignment within BRICS means for the future of bilateral relations, and what it would take to build a genuinely cooperative partnership in an increasingly transactional geopolitical landscape.
When Germany Sneezes, Europe Catches a Cold - A Conversation with Economist Marcel Fratzscher
Germany has long been Europe's economic engine and its industrial powerhouse and fiscal anchor in times of deep uncertainty. But after years of stagnation, that role has come under serious strain.
Together with Marcel Fratzscher, President of the German Institute for Economic Research, we examined whether Germany can still fulfill that role or whether structural pressures are permanently reshaping its place within Europe. With its export-driven model under pressure and fiscal constraints limiting large-scale investment, we asked the central question: can Germany still be the economic engine Europe looks to?
From the 11th to 16th of May all students can vote in the elections to the CSR, the Central Student Council. The CSR has influence over decisions made by the UvA which have tangible effects on the daily life of us students – like affordability, student well-being and third-party collaborations. If you want to make your voice heard and shape those decisions, you should cast your vote in the upcoming CSR election.
There is no better place to inform yourself about the positions of the standing parties than the annual CSR debate, hosted by Room for Discussion. Partaking will be the four biggest parties: Activistenpartij, De Vrije Student UvA Sociaal, and INTER. If you do not know who to vote for, this is the perfect opportunity to get to know your representatives.
Stability First, Growth Eventually? - Marco Buti on the Future of the EU
Europe is entering a period of growing fragmentation. Rising defense pressures, economic stagnation, and geopolitical dependence are colliding at a moment when the European Union appears increasingly unable to act collectively.
We welcomed Marco Buti, former Director General for Economic and Financial Affairs at the European Commission and one of the key figures behind Europe's response to the Eurozone crisis.
Together, we discussed the future of the European project from austerity and common debt to defense spending, industrial policy, and the growing tension between national interests and collective European action.
Composing Discontent: Catherine de Vries on the Political Success of the Far-Right
The far-right remains high in popularity across Europe, mobilising grievances that speak to many and forcing mainstream parties into a defensive posture on terrain that doesn't belong to them. Together with Catherine de Vries, we explored the political conditions that have allowed far-right movements to thrive, what the mainstream has consistently gotten wrong in its response, and how the EU is attempting to reassert its values in a turbulent world order.
The Man on the Inside: Chasing Dirty Money with James S. Henry
James S. Henry had it all… and walked away to follow the money. A Harvard-trained lawyer and former chief economist at McKinsey & Co., he spent decades exposing some of the most dangerous financial criminals on the planet. Together with James, we traced the threads connecting Mexican drug cartels, Russian-American kleptocracy, and the offshore havens sheltering the world's wealthiest tax evaders and discussed what it actually takes to hold financial power accountable when institutions are either complicit or outmatched.
Regulation, Sweet Regulation: Protecting Consumers with Marijn Snoep
Grocery prices are rising, Big Tech is flouting its dominance, and consolidation is reshaping entire media landscapes. But who actually holds companies accountable?
Together with Martijn Snoep, Chairman of the Dutch Authority for Consumers and Markets, we zoomed in on consumer protection, explored how to regulate without stifling innovation, and looked at the political implications of regulatory policy including cases currently being handled by the ACM.
With exams behind you and summer ahead, we hope June's conversations offer something worth taking into the break: sharper reasoning, new framings or simply new ideas. Do you have an interesting guest or idea you wish to pitch to us? Send us an email! With the 5 strong topics being discussed this month, find the ones which peaks your interests and come together with you friends and colleagues.
See you in the E-hall. Keep an eye on our channels, and as always — your questions are what make the conversation.
Creators of this month’s newsletter
Einar Enerskog Ottosson
Mahé Grenouilleau
Earn Lau
