Tips
To what climaterelated question would you like the answer?
By how much will I reduce my CO2 emissions if I turn the heating down a bit? What’s the difference between the environment and climate? Anyone who puts a climate-related question to the Climate Help Desk of the Utrecht Young Academy and Scientists4Future NL receives an answer from a scientist — fully peer-reviewed, as is customary in academia. Within the space of a few months they had already received 150 questions. The researchers associated with the Climate Help Desk put all the answers online, thereby building a database of scientifically substantiated answers that align precisely with questions that people have.
How powerful is the International Criminal Court?
The International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague has issued a warrant for Putin’s arrest. Thanks to a huge quantity of evidence, such as videos recorded in secret by the public, the court was able to act more quickly than ever. But the chances of him coming before the court are small. What is the point of trying autocratic leaders like Putin? Do war crimes trials help a country move forward or do they just frustrate efforts to achieve peace? Historian Dr Iva Vukušić (UU) talks about the power of courts and tribunals in tackling international injustice. Political anthropologist Dr Ewa Strzelecka (VU) takes us to Yemen. The UN has called the war that has been raging there for the past eight years the greatest humanitarian disaster of our time. Why has nobody been convicted for it yet? How do you get justice in a ‘forgotten war’?
This talk will take place on Monday 4 December, from 8 pm to 9.30 pm, in Utrecht University’s University Hall. Admission is free. You can also attend online. You can watch all Studium Generale talks at a later date at sg.uu.nl/video.
Utrecht University and colonial knowledge
In October anthropologist and historian Henk van Rinsum presented his book Universiteit Utrecht en koloniale kennis (Utrecht University and colonial knowledge). From as early as 1636 scientists from Utrecht University contributed through their work to the idea of Western superiority over the (as yet) undeveloped South. Utrecht University became involved in slavery and also in its abolition. This fact is the common theme that runs through the book of former member of staff of Utrecht University Henk Van Rinsum. A number of faculties are researching their colonial past; this book provides a framework for this.
Article 1 in art form
“It’s impressively large and so beautiful. We are extremely proud and happy.” On one of the busiest intersections in Utrecht, close to Central Station and the Ulu mosque, Marc Hanna and Giel Heeringa have created a mural several metres high which highlights the importance of the Constitution and Article 1 in particular. As law students, Giel and Marc embarked on this initiative as part of an assignment during their degree. The idea was to bring this amazing article, that of equal treatment for all and the Constitution as a whole, to life for young people. Constitution celebrated its 175th anniversary on 3 November.
Save the date
UUnited Music Festival
21 March 2024 Parnassos Cultural Centre’s UUnited Music Festival will get under way at Tivoli-Vredenburg. The line-up will be announced in December. Tickets will be on sale from January 2024.
WomenNetPhysics
22 March 2024 Utrecht University is organising WomenNetPhysics: the first Dutch conference on the theme of the position of women in Physics.
Cabaret podium
Up to and including April 2024 Come along and have a laugh at Parnossos’ Cabaret Podium. On many Friday evenings between December and April. Split your sides laughing for just €16.
Veritas reunion 1973
May 2024 On a Saturday (TBD) in May 2024 Veritas’ ‘Crown Year Reunion’ for members who joined in 1974 will take place. For more information and to register, email hans@hansgroenhuijsen.nl
Sharing Days 2024
3–8 June 2024 This alumni festival offers a packed programme of activities in the field of science, research, sport and culture. Put the date in your diary and check out uu.nl/sharingdays for more information.