Podcast
Thursday May 16, 2024 | 12.30 – 13.15 hrs | Collegezalencomplex, Radboud University | Radboud Reflects and VOX | See announcement.
Review
by Nort Vlemmix and Pam Tönissen
An engaged crowd gathered in Radboud University's Lecture Hall Complex to discuss the pressing topic of student protests. The focus lay in particular on the current protests against university collaborations with Israeli institutions in light of the Gaza conflict. The session, part of the Current Affairs Lecture series organized by Radboud Reflects and VOX, featured insights from political philosopher Mathijs van de Sande, political scientist Andrej Zaslove, and sociologist Katerina Manevska. Philosopher Cees Leijenhorst moderated the conversation.
Exploring the Roots and Relevance of Student Protests
The lecture opened with an assessment of the ongoing wave of student protests. Katerina Manevska highlighted the global nature of these protests, sparked by specific issues that are notoriously difficult to voice effectively. Andrej Zaslove pointed out the feeling among students of being unheard, emphasizing the role of student protests as a means to fill a void left by traditional political avenues.
The Role of Protests in Democracy
Mathijs van de Sande articulated the critical role that protests play within a democratic society. He argued that protests are essential for expressing dissent, especially when institutional responses and public policies do not reflect public opinion. According to Van de Sande, the response to protests in Amsterdam signals a troubling constraint on democratic engagement.