Explore every episode of the podcast Focused on the Future

Growing polarization in society, increasing conflicts with law enforcement, a rapidly changing work environment, the influence of AI. Many forces that raise the question: What is the future of policing?

Our guests are:

Theo Jochoms, Strategic Adviser at the directorate Strategy and Innovation at the Dutch National Police.

Tessa Diphoorn,  Associate Professor at the Department of Cultural Anthropology at Utrecht University

Merijn Bruijnes,   Assistant professor at the School of Governance Utrecht University

Isabelle Frens,  Researcher at the Institute of Security and Global Affairs at Leiden University

Citizen councils are often used throughout Europe as an additional form of democracy. Randomly drawn residents work together to find solutions to tough social problems. In Ireland there have been citizen consultations on abortion legislation and climate policy. In some cities, permanent citizens' councils have even been introduced. 

In Utrecht, The Netherlands, the advice of their first citizens' council was recently presented.

But what is the position of such an advice within our current democratic government?

Marij Swinkels Assistant Professor at the School of Governance Utrecht University

Eva Oosters Alderman of the Municipality of Utrecht, and responsible for the first citizens' council in Utrecht.

Hanneke van Eijken Professor Rule of Law and Democracy at Utrecht University

Coco Kanters Assistant professor, Liberal Art and Sciences at Utrecht University

Rianne Dekker Assistant Professor Public Governance and Management 

To ensure ecological sustainability, it is necessary to fundamentally change current production processes and consumption patterns. This can be done by imposing new restrictions on producers and consumers, or by increasing the price gap between sustainable and unsustainable alternatives through taxes and levies. However, the question stands: How do we balance the long term effects with the short term actions?

Our guests this episode are:

• Tom Bouwman, Postdoctoral Researcher at the Institute for Private Law at Leiden University
• Martijn Snoep, Chair of the Netherlands Authority for Consumers & Markets (ACM)
• Ana Poças Ribeiro, Postdoctoral Researcher on Circular Economy at Utrecht University
• Michèlle Bal, Assistant Professor in Interdisciplinary Social Science at Utrecht University
• Joel Anderson, Professor of Moral Psychology & Social Philosophy at Universiteit Utrecht

Large-scale changes, like the Covid pandemic, make it clear that inequality exists, and is being reinforced as a result. We tend to look at governments to counter inequalities due to these changes, but what role do communities play? How do communities respond?

The main question we explore in this episode: What role do communities play in societal changes for the long-term benefit?

Joining the conversation with our host Glenn van der Burg, this episode's guests include:

• Mara Yerkes, Sociologist and Professor of Comparative Social Policy at Utrecht University 
• Mucahid Bayrak, Assistant Professor in Human Geography and Spatial Planning at Utrecht University
• Julie Fraser, Assistant Professor with the Netherlands Institute of Human Rights at Utrecht University

Climate change is a global problem that affects both current and future generations. Companies, governments, NGO’s and civilians have to play their role in preventing the impact of climate change. What role does the law play?

Due to a year long campaign, the UN General Assembly unanimously made a historic decision by requesting the International Court of Justice to issue an Advisory Opinion on the legal obligations regarding climate change. In the Netherlands, the Urgenda Foundation won their case against the Dutch Government. Royal Dutch Shell also lost their case about CO2 reduction. Not meeting the CO2 reduction targets is endangering the human rights of Dutch citizens.

In what way can the law protect against future damage and interests of the unborn? And to what extent can judges make decisions on issues with far-reaching consequences for the environment? How can law or the judge actually ensure a sustainable and liveable world for future generations?

Joining the conversation with our host Glenn van der Burg, this episode's guests include:

• Elbert de Jong, Professor of Private Law at Utrecht University
• Natalie Dobson, Assistant Professor of International & European Law and Climate Change at Utrecht University
• Mathijs Boom, Lecturer of History and Philosophy of Science at Utrecht University

Although investors tend to look at the short term, they are forced to contribute to global problems that require a long-term view. Crises such as climate change, biodiversity loss and growing inequality lead to new risks, regulations and pressure from the public opinion.
However, simply investing ‘more’ will not be sufficient. How can investments positively impact long-term global challenges? What changes are needed to let investment work towards sustainability in stead of against it?
Joining the conversation about investing for the long term with our host Glenn van der Burg, this episode's guests include:

• Johan Schot, Professor Global History and Sustainability at Utrecht University and Founder of the Deep Transitions Project
• Diana Velasco, Anthropologist, systems engineer and currently Research Fellow at Ingenio
• Roberta Benedetti del Rio, Sustainability-focused investor and impact consultant
• Friedemann Polzin, Associate Professor at the Utrecht University School of Economics and Member of the Sustainable Finance Lab
• Martijn Klop, Master Student at Utrecht University and co-founder of the Effective Altruism student group

In the podcast series Focused on the Future, individuals, stakeholders, and scientists come together to talk about new views on big issues based on longtermism. First up — Climate change: how do we deal with sea level rise and the future of land development in the Netherlands? 

We are raising the dikes to prevent flooding. Just as we have been doing for centuries. But can we keep on doing this, knowing that a large part of The Netherlands is already below sea level? We have invited Petra Goessen of the Regional Water Authority in the North West of The Netherlands (in Dutch: Hoogheemraadschap Hollands Noorderkwartier) in our studio to share her thoughts about the future challenges in her work and responsibility.

Three academic thinkers join the conversation with our host Glenn van der Burg to share their longterm viewpoint on climate change:

• Herman Kasper Gilissen, Associate Professor of Utrecht University Centre for Water, Oceans and Sustainability Law
• Rak Kim, Assistant Professor of Global Environmental Governance in the Copernicus Institute of Sustainable Development at Utrecht University
• Kim Cohen, Assistant Professor of Physical Geography at Utrecht University