Opening Speech
The event will be festively opened by Dean Gregor Halff and the Programme Director of Public Administration, Leonie Heres. They will highlight the value of our alumni for the department and share the latest developments within the Public Administration and Political Science programmes.
Keynote
After the opening, VU-alumna Faiza Oulahsen will give a keynote speech. Ms. Oulahsen, a Political Science alumna, is currently the head of Climate and Energy at Greenpeace Netherlands. In her keynote titled 'Fighting for the Right to Protest', she will share her insights on the necessity of the right to demonstrate and draw from her experiences as a civil activist.
Panel Discission
Familiar faces and experts from the department will reflect on the keynote and share their expertise regarding the central theme. For example, the topic of ‘violence during demonstrations’ is discussed and whether activist civil servants pose a threat to political-bureaucratic relations in the Dutch constitutional state. The panel discussion will be moderated by Gregor Halff and Benjamin Leidorf-Tidå, Assistant Professor of Public Administration with a specialisation in public accountability.
Cultural intermezzo
A live artist will create a record of the keynote and panel discussion. Afterwards this drawing will be shared with the audience, capturing and remembering the event in a unique way.
‘Borrel’ & Networking
For those interested, there will be an opportunity to network and reconnect with former students. Drinks and snacks will be served.