Room for Disucssion | Year in review newsletter 2024-2025
Dear Room for Discussion Community,
As another academic year draws to a close, it’s time to pause, breathe, and return either to familiar and homey places or explore new and exciting ones.
In this edition of our newsletter, we not only reflect on the past month but also rewind through the highlights of this past academic year. Our “Interviewer’s Picks” bring you a selection of interviews that sparked the most thought, debate, and inspiration amongst our committee members. The perfect entertainment for long train rides or lazy afternoons.
But first, Room for Discussion’s outgoing and incoming chairs will take a look back at the last year and introduce their vision for the upcoming one!
Message from the old Chairs
Hello Room for Discussion community!
In the first newsletter of this academic year we mentioned that “with your help, we can keep the mission of our platform alive.” Now that we are closing our one year journey, we would like to thank you for all the support in making that happen. This year has again proven to be filled with challenges and difficulties. However, it was also full of exciting conversations, wholesome interactions and moments of accomplishment and satisfaction. We always knew that the appetite for respectful, academic debate remained strong. Thanks to your questions, attendance, participation in our external events and suggestions we are proud to close another successful academic year in Room for Discussion. It has been a wonderful experience and we will be forever grateful to our committee and community for allowing us to live through it. We are confident that we leave Room for Discussion in good hands and we hope to see you at the upcoming interviews next to us in the audience!
Best regards,
Anna and Karol
Message from the new Chairs
Hello, Room for Discussion community!
We’re incredibly excited and honored to introduce ourselves as the new Co-Chairs of Room for Discussion. We are grateful for the chance to continue the exceptional work of our outgoing Chairs, Anna and Karol - building a platform of curiosity and dialogue, a space where students get to ask the questions they really care about.
In the following year, we will keep organising what makes Room for Discussion so special: open, thoughtful, and sometimes uncomfortable conversations. Whether it’s ministers or musicians, economists or activists, we want to facilitate the meaningful engagement between students and experts that Room for Discussion was founded on.
We’re looking forward to an ambitious year and thank you for your continued support. Stay tuned for our upcoming interviews!
Warm wishes,
Geraldine & Laurens
What happened in June?
4th of June -- Saad Mosheni, CEO of Moby Media Group
Saad Mohseni reflected on his journey as the founder of Moby Group and the vital role independent media has played in Afghanistan’s modern history. As the force behind TOLO TV and Arman FM, Mohseni shared how his outlets became symbols of free expression, even as they were targeted by extremists and state actors. The discussion touched on the high risks of operating in a conflict zone, the return of the Taliban, and the cost of challenging authoritarian narratives.
6th of June -- Alle Dorhout, Dutch Ambassador to Ukraine
Last month, we had the honor of welcoming Alle Dorhout to our stage. The ambassador offered a rare insight into the intersection of diplomacy and intelligence during the war in Ukraine. The conversation highlighted how intelligence shapes diplomatic decisions, the challenges of maintaining unity within NATO, and the importance of long-term commitment to Ukraine’s sovereignty. If you want to learn what Dorhout sees as the diplomatic and political steps necessary to achieve sustainable peace in Ukraine, this interview is a must-watch!
16th of June -- Professor Sarah de Lange, Political Scientist at UvA
We interviewed Professor Sarah de Lange who delivered a compelling analysis of the rise of populist radical right (PRR) parties across Western democracies. Drawing from years of research, she dissected the new political cleavages that are transforming electoral landscapes and destabilizing traditional party systems. Prof. de Lange also highlighted the need to protect academic freedom in politically polarized environments in order to protect democracy in the future.
19th of June -- Claudia Buch, Chair of the ECB Supervisory Board
On the 19th of June, we had the opportunity to host a top figure in European economics. Claudia Buch, chair of the European Central Bank’s Supervisory Board and Single Supervisory Mechanism, joined us for a conversation about the current state of economic stability.
How will tariffs change stability in our economies? What are the most important issues for regulators right now? And how can we be prepared for ‘unknown unknowns’? If you want to hear answers to these questions from a person making some of the most important decisions in central banking, check out our interview with Claudia Buch!
24th of June -- Kajsa Ollongren, former Minister of Defence of the Netherlands
On the sidelines of the NATO summit in The Hague, we sat down with former Dutch Minister of Defence Kajsa Ollongren for a timely conversation on European security and the future of the transatlantic alliance. With war once again on the continent, she offered a clear-eyed assessment of NATO’s evolving role—and the responsibilities of smaller allies like the Netherlands. What stood out was her insistence that deterrence alone is not enough—it must be paired with unity, resilience, and shared democratic values. Ollongren reflected on the delicate balance between strategic autonomy and allied cohesion, and on the need to build trust not just between governments, but with citizens themselves. Though no longer in office, her perspective, shaped by experience at the heart of crises, remains strikingly relevant in a world where security and democracy are increasingly intertwined.
Memorable interviews of the year
We asked the committee members of Room for Discussion about which of our interviews of this past academic year are their personal highlights, in terms of engagement, significance and intrigue. Listed below are the ten most popular ones, in chronological order. If you have some time on your hands this summer, we can wholeheartedly recommend giving these a listen!
Klaas Knot - President of De Nederlandse Bank
“A deeply insightful interview with one of the ECB’s most hawkish members, into the monetary status of Europe in the inflationary environment that followed the Covid-19 environment. Anyone interested in where we find ourselves, and how we got here, should definitely give this interview a watch!” - Laurens Norden, Interviewer at Room for Discussion
With the president of the Central Bank visiting, naturally, the Economics faculty was enthusiastic. This interview brought perspectives from a figure with great seniority in monetary policy who also has become a recurring guest at our couches. A recommendation to anyone with an interest in understanding our economy.
Karel Hendriks - Deputy General Director of MSF
“The interview with the director of Doctors Without Borders NL brought to light the reality on the ground during humanitarian crisis. Mr Hendriks spoke genuinely and openly about the needs of aid organisations, especially in Gaza.” - Saskia Lii Bergman, Interviewer at Room for Discussion
A breath of fresh air, in terms of its openness and honesty, the interview with the Deputy Director of MSF and head of its Dutch branch became a favourite of many committee members. A hopeful conversation we cannot praise enough.
Israel-Palestine series
“This series was a difficult one due to the immensely loaded nature of discussion usually around it. Yet, the sessions were insightful and managed to broaden everyone’s understanding of the history of the conflict and the devastation of the genocide in Gaza.” - Saskia Lii Bergman, Interviewer at Room for Discussion
The Israel-Palestine series encompassed four interviews: two with journalists, and two with scholars, two of them with Palestinians and two with Israelis. This conflict is causing contention and unrest across the globe, including on our own campus. As the student interview platform of the university, we wanted to provide a platform where these questions can be discussed. The initiative was appreciated by students and staff alike and is one we wholeheartedly can recommend to all.
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya - Belarussian opposition leader
“This interview was timely and highlighted the importance of safeguarding democratic processes and values.” - Saskia Lii Bergman, Interviewer at Room for Discussion
Undoubtedly the most high-level visit of this past year, the discussion with the de factor leader of the Belarussian democratic opposition was one laden with deep emotion and a powerful sense of determination. Now that Tsikhanouskaya’s husband and 2020 presidential candidate Sergei Tikhanovsky has been released after five years, this interview gives insight into the internal and external struggle of a mother who in exile continues to give hope to a whole people.
Ruben Brekelmans - Minister of Defence
“The interview revealed urgent challenges, but policy can’t be made in silence nor progress in disruption—questions on migration, energy, and security in Europe demand open, frank dialogue from all sides.” - Sean Cotter-Lem, Interviewer at Room for Discussion
An interview unforgettable for the events that unfolded both during and after it. As protests against the government´s military ties to Israel made it necessary to finish the interview without audience a debate was sparked in domestic media about the role of debate on university grounds. The conversation focused on the Dutch government´s push to rearm at a time when the world is looking increasingly unpredictable, on continued support for Ukraine and on the challenges of a disintegrated European defence sector. A discussion which gets more crucial by the day.
Martin Wolf - Chief Economics Commentator at the Financial Times
A recurring honorable guest at Room for Discussions couches, Martin Wolf joined us in conversation about his most recent book The Crisis of Democratic Capitalism about the fraying relationship between the Political and Economic system that has characterised the postwar international order. With his as always captivating storytelling, this one is a delightful watch.
Marietje Schaake - D66 politician & former member of the European Parliament
On February 19th, we had the honour of hosting Marietje Schaake, dubbed Europe’s “most wired politician”, for a timely conversation on the growing power of Big Tech and its threat to democracy. Drawing from her new book The Tech Coup, Schaake unpacked how unregulated tech giants shape our digital lives and political systems, often beyond democratic control.
From Silicon Valley’s shifting politics to the unraveling of the transatlantic alliance, she offered sharp insights into what’s at stake—not just globally, but here in Europe and the Netherlands. While she doesn’t shy away from warning us about the scale of the problem, Schaake’s realism is paired with a clear message: the future isn’t predetermined, and regulation is still possible.
Philippe Sands - Barrister and Author in International Law
“A bit of optimism in these trying times. A collected interview with very nice storytelling” - Geraldine Beil, Interviewer at Room for Discussion
Speaking on the topic of the crisis of international law, renowned barrister and author Philippe Sands walks us along the history of the system of trans-national rule setting while also outlining a vision of how it needs to adapt to meet new challenges. In credit to Sands fantastic storytelling, this is one of those conversations that drag you in and will not let you go.
Saad Mohseni - CEO of Moby Media Group
“This was an interesting conversation about the nature and role of media and press in difficult situations.” - Saskia Lii Bergman, Interviewer at Room for Discussion
This interview, already described above became a favourite among committee members for reasons of providing such a novel perspective. We endorse this one to everyone curious about this underreported part of the world
Kajsa Ollongren - Former minister of Defence
“A special circumstance and a critical conversation on the state of Dutch and European Defence” - Saskia Lii Bergman Interviewer at Room for Discussion
"An interview under special circumstances" - Geraldine Beil, Interviewer at Room for Discussion
A memorable and spectacular closing of the academic year, our interview at the sidelines of the NATO summit naturally makes it onto this list. With Ollongren now being a recurring guest at Room for Discussion, this conversation became not only crucial but also amiable.
Whether your summer takes you into an internship adventure, into travelling the world, or into full relaxation mode — we hope it brings you joy, rest, and new perspectives.
We’ll be back next academic year with bold questions and conversations that matter. Until then, enjoy the break—you’ve earned it!
Warm regards,
The Room for Discussion Team
Creators of this month’s newsletter:
Einar E. Ottosson, Writer
Elisabeth Knetsch, Writer
Hunter Hong, Marketing Officer
