The fact that we have lost control of technology and social media poses a major security risk. Democracy and the rule of law are being undermined. What are the answers to geopolitical power development by big tech? This is the subject of the 31st Den Uyl Lecture, which will be given this year by Marleen Stikker, founder and director of Waag Futurelab, the research institute for technology and society.
Safeguarding strategic autonomy and public values should be central to this. Marleen Stikker will discuss the need for a digital public infrastructure and an explicit progressive agenda for innovation and technology. Arnout Brouwers, diplomatic editor at De Volkskrant, will respond to the lecture. After the contributions, there will be time for questions and discussion, led by Marjolein Moorman, Member of Parliament and chair of the board of trustees of the Wiardi Beckman Foundation.
The Den Uyl Lecture is a tradition that has existed since 1988 and is organised in honour of the former PvdA prime minister Joop den Uyl, with the aim of continually providing progressive politics with new and innovative insights, often from the world of science and culture. The Den Uyl Lecture offers a unique opportunity to reflect on the legacy of Joop den Uyl and the impact of his ideals on contemporary politics and society. Since 2024, the lecture has been organised by the Wiardi Beckman Foundation, the scientific bureau for social democracy.
Date: Monday 19 January 2026
Time: 8 p.m.
Location: De Balie, Amsterdam
Would you like to attend?
Tickets for the Den Uyl Lecture are currently sold out, but you can still register on the Den Uyl Lecture 2026 page by Marleen Stikker on the De Balie website. The lecture will also be broadcast via livestream on this page.
