Led by Robert Dur, Professor of Economics at Erasmus School of Economics, this year's Miljoenennota Gesprek was organised at Debatpodium Arminius. The theme was ‘The economy in times of tariffs and ageing’, covering topics such as complicated taxes and aids, healthcare policy and neoliberalism.
With more than 220 visitors, it was a well-attended evening, with around 50 students also present. The various speakers, Julia van Rijn (researcher at the Institute for Public Economics), Otto Raspe (chief economist at RaboResearch), Esther van Rijswijk (podcast Droom en Daad), Marco Varkevisser (Professor of Market Regulation in Healthcare at Erasmus School of Health Policy & Management) and Coen Teulings (Professor of Labour Economics at Utrecht University), discussed current economic topics.
The public and experts can learn from each other
According to Robert Dur, the evening is organised annually with the aim of learning from each other. 'A broad audience can engage with economic issues and objectives raised by the speakers.’ This also works the other way around: 'Through questions from the audience, the speakers can gain a broader understanding about what is on the minds of the audience.’ In addition, professionals from different fields can learn from each other and network during the event.
That is why Dur believes that the opportunity for debate is so important. This year, once again there was a diverse range of questions from the audience, giving them the chance to contribute their own thoughts. ‘There could be more time for debate, but it is also difficult to find the right balance.’
Economic current affairs and the Miljoenennota
The first speaker was Julia van Rijn, an alumna of Erasmus School of Economics since only two years. She spoke about the accessibility of local regulations for people on low incomes. 'It was one of her first big stage performances as a recent graduate, and she did it incredibly well.’
Otto Raspe then expressed his expectations for the proposed stage budget, based on the challenges facing the Netherlands. Esther van Rijswijk asked the audience: ‘Why can't politicians get anything done?’, which sparked a lively discussion. The two closing speakers were Marco Varkevisser, who spoke about healthcare costs, and Coen Teulings, who spoke about neoliberalism and Trumpism.
A lively drinks reception afterwards
It was another successful evening, with students, economists and interested parties making up the audience. ‘With a lively drinks reception to round off the evening, there was plenty of opportunity to chat with each other on a personal basis afterwards,’ said Dur.
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The Miljoenennota Gesprek has been organised for the past five years at Debatpodium Arminius by Studium Generale and KVS, the Dutch Association of Economists, of which Robert Dur has been chairman since 2018.
Interested in economics? Find a list here with upcoming events organised by KVS, with a reduced fee for students.
For more information, please contact Ronald de Groot, Media and Public Relations Officer at Erasmus School of Economics, rdegroot@ese.eur.nl, or +31 6 53 641 846.
