Professors from The Hague in the classroom: ‘Why do you have to wear such a long dress?’
The celebration of the university’s 450th anniversary is not confined to the walls of the university. For the 7th time, professors stood in front of the class of grade 7, in both Leiden and The Hague. Four FGGA professors visited primary schools, introducing the children to research questions such as ‘why do we need an army?’ and ‘who governs the internet?’
Child poverty in The Hague
Pilot, football player, lawyer, hairdresser, and stewardess: the children at PCB De Ontmoeting have big dreams when FGGA Dean Koen Caminada (professor Empirical Analysis of Tax and Social Policy) asks them about their future careers. After all, you need a job for an income, but what happens when you can no longer afford the basics? Koen discusses his research on poverty and reveals that while the Netherlands is good at lifting people out of poverty, it doesn’t do as well when it comes to children. ‘Why can’t you just call the local council and tell them they need to spend more money on poverty?’, one of the children wonders. Unfortunately, that is not how it works, Koen explains. More than just a phone call is needed: the system needs to be changed.
Symbolising the University’s expertise
Caelesta Braun, professor Public Governance and Civil Society, also inspires the children at the Da Costaschool. What exactly is the right to demonstrate and the separation of powers? Protesting at the Malieveld, lying on the highway, or bringing tractors to The Hague, is that allowed if you are desperate because politics isn’t solving major problems? The class thought it was fine as long as it was for a good cause. And that gown? ‘For me, it’s a ritual to symbolise the value of the university’s expertise, so it’s wonderful that all members of the opposition committees can now wear a gown.’
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Jan Aart Scholte with year 7 of Kindcentrum O3 -
In six preparatory lessons the pupils gradually learn more about the professor who is coming to visit -
Koen Caminada teaches year 7 of PCB De Ontmoeting -
The 'long dress' of Caelesta Braun
Who governs the internet?
The pupils at Kindcentrum O3 in The Hague know surprisingly much about the internet and continuously ask Jan Aart Scholte (professor Global Transformations and Governance Challenges) questions about who governs and controls the internet. Despite their young age, the internet plays a central role in their lives: they know all about the (revoked) TikTok ban in the US, the new age restrictions for social media in Australia, and that you can’t use Google in China. In no time, the internet has become indispensable to society, with both positive and problematic consequences.
Well-informed
Frans Osinga, professor War Studies, had year 7 of Kindcentrum Wondersteboven hanging on his every word on the fascinating topic: why do we need an army? It was clear that the class was well-informed about international developments in the US, Gaza, and the war in Ukraine. Osinga received many questions and enthusiastic responses.
Meet the Professor
During Meet the Professor, professors visit primary schools and tell children all about what it’s like to conduct research and be a professor. The focus is on exploratory learning: in six preparatory lessons the pupils gradually learn more about the professor who will be coming to visit them. This was the seventh edition of Meet the Professor.