Room for Discussion

Room for Discussion is the platform of Study Association Sefa and the Faculty of Economics and Business that organises weekly interview sessions. Almost every week during lunchtime, professors, entrepreneurs, politicians, CEOs, journalists and other guest speakers will take their seat on our characteristic Chesterfields, ready to debate on interesting economic topics and actualities. The Room for Discussion podium is situated in the central hall of the E-building at the Roeterseilandcomplex of the University of Amsterdam. The weekly interview sessions are open for everyone.

What can I learn as a committee member?

As a member of Room for Discussion you are trained to become an all-rounder. The first step is to come up and plan the interviews with relevant names from the business, politic or academic environment. Afterwards you prepare the interviews together with another committee member. You read for a period of three week everything about this topic or person, prepare a plan and have meeting with the critical committee to optimise the structure of the interview.

Besides the content you also learn the practical side. You will learn the answer to the questions like: What does a minister have for lunch? How do I invite an international CEO to come to the Netherlands and how to promote an interview through online and offline channels to assure that students from all of the Netherlands will visit the interview sessions.

Testimonial

Ella Otterbeck, Chair Room for Discussion 2023-2024

“Room for Discussion presents students with a unique and exciting opportunity to learn essential skills that would be hard to get elsewhere, while contributing to an open discussion climate at the University. Interviewers get the chance to explore topics of their interests, interact with (in)famous thinkers and notables, and learn how to express themselves on stage in front of an audience. Marketing officers work with multiple programs to manage our social media and grow our brand, as well as help out with essential organizational work to keep our events running smoothly. Moreover, everyone in Room for Discussion learns what it means to work in a very tight-knit team and high-performing environment. My promise is that Room for Discussion somehow just sucks you in, and leaves you wondering why you didn't join sooner! All in all, the Room for Discussion experience is challenging, fun, and meaningful, and I would recommend it to all students!”