Keynote speakers

René Cuperus is affiliated with the Clingendael Institute, a member of the Advisory Council on International Affairs (AIV) and a guest researcher at the Germany Institute Amsterdam. He also worked as a strategic advisor at the Ministry of the Interior, where he was involved in the ‘Democratie in Actie’ project of the Association of Dutch Municipalities (VNG) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In that context, he wrote the mayoral interview book ‘Lokale democratie op zoek naar zichzelf’ (2020) together with Boudewijn Steur and ´De Atlas van Afgehaakt Nederland´ (2021) with Josse de Voogd. Together with Movisie, he is conducting field research into ‘community strength’ in various municipalities in the Netherlands. He regularly writes for (inter)national media about European politics, populism and democracy and was a columnist for de Volkskrant for many years. He is also a much sought-after political commentator by the media.

Willeke Slingerland is a professor at the lectorate ´Resilient Democracy´ at Saxion University of Applied Sciences. 

This lectorate focuses on practice-oriented research and issues that revolve around the functioning of the democratic constitutional state. It focuses on issues of legitimacy, efficiency and desirability and works with students, professionals and scientists from various disciplines.

Greg Shapiro is, in own words, comedian, American, Dutchman. Known to many Dutch and ex-patriates through his books, after-dinner speeches and theatre and television appearances, he is an enthusiastic commentator on daily and political life in the Netherlands. 

For our conference, Greg will give an entertaining view (with, we hope, a few impressions) of the meaning of ‘democracy’ through the lens of the new Republican régime. This will include Greg’s view of the future of relations with the EU and, more specifically, the Netherlands. 
Greg’s contribution to our conference should liven up that ‘after lunch dip’ and give us even more food for thought.