What should democracy look like in the Netherlands in 2050? More citizen assemblies? More referendums? Or something completely new? How can we strengthen democratic resilience and increase citizen participation in decision-making? What innovative reforms could help rebalance power and reinforce trust in democratic institutions? At Erasmus University and ahead of the next parliamentary elections, we’re bringing together experts and students to debate the future of democracy — and your voice matters.
Join our TWIN4DEM debate at Erasmus University Rotterdam for an interactive panel and open discussion where experts, students, and citizens come together to explore how democracy can thrive in the future. This is your chance to learn, debate, and share your perspective!
- Date
- Thursday 25 Sep 2025, 16:45 - 18:00
- Type
- Seminar
- Spoken Language
- English
- Room
- 0.04
- Building
- Sanders Building
Why join?
- Learn about democratic innovations and their impact in the Netherlands and beyond.
- Be part of a lively and interactive discussion.
- Meet leading experts, activists & students passionate about democracy.
- Share your ideas and ask your questions.
- Free reception afterwards — relax, chat, and network with new people.
Confirmed panelists:
We are excited to welcome:
- Marianne van den Anker – Ombudsman Rotterdam Rijnmond, City of Rotterdam.
- Joep van Lit – PhD Researcher Democratic Recession and Defense, Radboud University Nijmegen.
- Niesco Dubbelboer – Former Member of Parliament, Meer Democratie.
- Lot Mertens – City ​​Whisperer and Cheerleader of Local Democracy, City of Rotterdam.
Free participation + reception afterwards (from 18:00 to 19:00)
About TWIN4DEM
TWIN4DEM is an innovative European research project dedicated to strengthening democratic resilience through cutting-edge Computational Social Science (CSS) and digital twin technology. By combining expertise from diverse fields – social sciences, humanities, and advanced computational methods – TWIN4DEM aims to uncover the pathways behind democratic backsliding and provide actionable solutions to policymakers, civil society, and technology providers.
Dr. Clara Egger & Dr. Aysa Zhelyazkova, project leads
Erasmus University Rotterdam
- More information
Marjolein Kooistra, communicatie ESSB, 0683676038, kooistra@essb.eur.nl
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