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Lab for a Free World: Celebrating Academic Freedom and Leadership” brought together the brightest minds and future leaders from TU Delft to reflect on the vital themes of freedom, leadership, and academic growth. The event featured distinguished speakers and engaged participants who shared valuable insights and experiences. We hope this booklet inspires you to explore the role of freedom in both your academic and personal journey.
The “Lab for a Free World” event aimed to create a space where student leaders could engage in a meaningful dialogue about academic freedom and leadership. In today’s world, where polarization and societal pressures are ever-present, it was crucial to revisit and reflect on these themes. The evening was not just a dinner but a ‘diner pensant,’ where ideas were exchanged over a shared meal, fostering a deeper connection and understanding among participants.
On April 24, 2024, MoTiv hosted an event that gathered approximately 80 student leaders from various associations at TU Delft. These included sports clubs, study associations, and international student organizations. The event featured speeches from distinguished speakers, followed by table discussions aimed at exploring the concepts of freedom and leadership in the academic context. The goal was to provide a platform for students to voice their thoughts and learn from each other’s experiences.
“Freedom is like oxygen, you do not notice it, until it disappears.” – Job Cohen
Welcome! Before I will introduce our speakers for tonight, I will say a few words about our inspiration for organizing this evening. What is freedom?
Do we enjoy it, appreciate the freedom we have? Do we need more freedom? Freedom is an important condition for one’s development and growth to responsible, creative and leading engineers in the world of tomorrow.
We need freedom to grow as a healthy, fully developed personality,
We need freedom to become or be responsible citizens and engineers,
We need freedom to think creatively and solve the world’s problems
We need freedom to be good leaders.
Director of TUDelft Tim van der Hagen said: The zeitgeist is one of polarization, where shouting often seems to have taken the place of listening to one another. In these times of social upheaval and global conflict, we should take the time to listen to each other, without judgment. Our academic freedom is our starting point, it’s one of the pillars of our achievements, and thus a privilege we should defend.
At the university we treasure curiosity. It is our biggest asset. We also treasure criticism, we must learn and be able to discern right from wrong, good from bad and useless from useful. So we have to handle our academic freedom responsibly. We owe that to society. Freedom has boundaries and those boundaries can be questioned but they are necessary. They give freedom and safety
Certainly, academic freedom is a privilege, but how about our personal freedom? Is our social environment safe and am I free to move around and express myself? And how does it feel to build a huge debt while you are working hard to do your exams? How to deal with the pressures of parents, society and governments? Apps and social media?
Here we are. In the middle of big, worldwide threats of freedom for many people, which may affect you in your personal life and development. In the middle of local developments that will certainly affect you, where your study climate is concerned. In the middle of the space you experience for your personal development as engineers and leaders for the future. We wish you very good company at the table and interesting conversations with other studentleaders. Do not underestimate your thoughts or feelings tonight!
Prof. Dr. Rob Mudde
Vice President of the board of TU Delft, Rob Mudde, was a staunch advocate of academic freedom. His speech delved into the importance of maintaining academic integrity and the role of academia in society.
Dr. Maarten Coolen
A philosopher from Amsterdam, Dr. Coolen brought a unique perspective on identity and freedom. His thought-provoking questions encouraged students to reflect on their personal narratives and societal roles.
Fenna Schilthuis
As the President of the Delft Studenten Corps, Fenna provided insights into the freedoms and challenges faced by student leaders today.
Frederique Hemler
Frederique, the Commissioner for External Affairs at Virgiel, discussed the pressures of student life and the importance of making and learning from mistakes.
Renske Oldenboom & David Schiethart
David and Renske are both our MoTiv colleagues. Renske opened and hosted the evening. David guided the final group discussion, summarizing key points and encouraging ongoing engagement and reflection.
At the Lab for a Free World, Fenna Schilthuis and Frederique Hemler emphasized two essential freedoms in student life: the freedom to make choices and the freedom to make mistakes. They highlighted the personal responsibility that comes with university life, where decisions shape one’s identity and growth. However, they also noted the increasing pressures to perform flawlessly, with mistakes often met with criticism rather than seen as opportunities to learn. Despite these challenges, they encouraged students to embrace mistakes as a key part of development, urging their peers to support one another in navigating these pressures. Their message was clear: student years should be a time of self-discovery, learning, and building confidence, preparing students for life beyond university.
“Freedom to make choices and the freedom to make mistakes are essential. Learning from mistakes is the only way to truly grow.” – Frederique Hemler
“Ultimately, your time as a student is about discovering your own limits and developing the confidence to stand in your own strength.” – Fenna Schilthuis
Rob Mudde, Vice President of TU Delft, delivered a powerful speech on the balance between academic freedom and responsibility, urging scholars to use their privilege not just to speak freely but to do so with expertise, integrity, and transparency. He warned against the dangers of polarization in society and academia, calling it a “dangerous virus” that can only be cured through compassion, trust, and respectful dialogue.
Mudde emphasized that while heated debates are natural, they should always center on ideas, not personal attacks, and end in mutual respect. He reminded academics of their responsibility to give back to society by sharing knowledge ethically, quoting Muhammad Ali: “The service you do to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth.” His message was clear: academic freedom comes with an obligation to act responsibly, and in these divisive times, compassionate judgment and humility are more necessary than ever.
“One smile has the power to…
Calm fears.
Soften stone walls.
Warm a cold heart.
Invite a new friend.
Mimic a loving hug.
Beautify the bearer.
Lighten heavy loads.
Promote good deeds.
Brighten a gloomy day.
Comfort a grieving spirit.
Offer hope to the forlorn.
Send a message of caring.
Lift the downtrodden soul.
Patch up invisible wounds.
Weaken the hold of misery.
Act as medicine for suffering.
Attract the companionship of angels.
Fulfill the human need for recognition.
Who knew changing the world
would prove so simple?”
In his thought-provoking speech, philosopher Maarten Coolen explored the complex relationship between freedom and self-identity in modern society. He explained that identity is not a fixed set of qualities but rather a narrative we construct over time.
In earlier times, identity was tied to one’s role in a community or profession, but in today’s world, it has become an ongoing process of self-reflection and personal storytelling. Coolen emphasized that, in modern culture, we must continually ask ourselves: “Who am I?” and “What is the meaning of my life?” This creates a personal narrative, a kind of psychological novel, where our achievements and failures shape our evolving sense of self.
However, Coolen cautioned that this newfound freedom in crafting our identities comes with its own challenges: we are solely responsible for the story we create, and any failure is a reflection of not living up to our own design. He noted that without a coherent life story, we risk facing existential crises and burnout. In his view, the freedom to design one’s life is a remarkable achievement, but it also brings a heavy burden of responsibility.
David Schiethart, in his reflection at the Lab for a Free World, captured the emotional and thought-provoking atmosphere of the event, particularly highlighting Rob Mudde’s impactful speech on polarization and humility. Mudde’s message, drawn from the New Testament parable about judgment and compassion, urged students to be kind, collaborative, and to refrain from harsh judgments of others.
David reflected on the broader theme of the event—academic freedom—and its significance in a world where students face immense pressures, from student debt to housing crises. Both Mudde and philosopher Maarten Coolen expressed concerns about students viewing their education solely as a means to secure a future career, urging them to study with passion and dedication while also embracing uncertainty. David echoed their sentiment, reminding the students that their time at university should not lead to burnout, but rather be a period of growth, learning, and compassion, both for themselves and for others.
During the table discussions at the Lab for a Free World, students explored the themes of freedom and leadership in depth. Key topics included balancing academic pressures with personal growth, the critical role of student associations in developing leadership skills, and the need for a supportive environment where students feel free to express their thoughts and learn from their experiences. Insights and quotes from participants highlighted the importance of fostering open dialogue and mutual support. These discussions are expected to inform and influence future policies and activities at TU Delft, with a focus on enhancing student well-being and leadership opportunities.
The “Lab for a Free World” event underscored the crucial role of academic freedom and student leadership in shaping the future of both individuals and society. These concepts are not only vital for personal and academic growth but also for cultivating a responsible, innovative, and compassionate community. As participants, we are reminded that the freedom to explore, debate, and lead comes with the responsibility to act with integrity and respect. Moving forward, we must continue to foster open dialogue, support each other’s growth, and take action within the academic community to ensure these values thrive. Let this event serve as a catalyst for ongoing conversations and positive change at TU Delft and beyond.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to all our speakers for their inspiring contributions, which added immense value to the “Lab for a Free World” event. A special thanks to the organizing team and volunteers, whose dedication and hard work ensured everything ran smoothly.
Finally, we would like to recognize the participating student leaders and associations for their active engagement and insightful discussions. Your efforts made this event a true success and a memorable experience for everyone involved.
“Freedom is the oxygen of the soul.
Leadership is the courage to breathe deeply and inspire others.”
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