The twenty program makers and producers of Pakhuis de Zwijger realise programs and projects in seven different topics: Social, Spatial Planning, Sustainability, Technology, Economy, Democracy and Creative Industry. We focus on practicalities and improving daily life in the cities and regions in relation to the country, Europe and the entire world. Conversely, we indicate how global developments affect our urban region and country. It is our mission to expose developments in every domain, to make clear analyses, to interpret existing practices, to offer alternatives, to present innovations and to stimulate dialogue.

Social
Amsterdam (180 nationalities, almost 900,000 inhabitants and millions of visitors annually) and other large Dutch cities are rapidly changing due to urbanisation. This also changes the relationship with the region and the rest of the country. Partly due to ongoing migration and digitisation, an increasing super-diversity is manifesting itself, but also inequality and dichotomy in the areas of work and education, health, income and housing. How do we involve everyone in arriving at new ways of living together. And how do we create a city that is inclusive, fair and home to all its residents and visitors?

From the Social topic, we make programs around all major social themes such as inequality of opportunity in education, the future of work, poverty and debt, unequal life expectancy, human rights, discrimination and racism

Spatial Planning
The Netherlands has a long history of spatial planning when it comes to our public spaces. This is necessary in a small country with many inhabitants who all need space for living, working, travelling, sports, leisure and recreation. How do we divide this increasingly scarce space? How do we arrive at smart, meaningful and innovative designs for multiple uses of space, in which the ecological footprint is as small as possible, with optimal quality of life and biodiversity? Where is building allowed and where not? Where is room for greenery, sustainable energy, water, ecological connections, new bicycle paths, pedestrians, motorways and railways?

The Spatial Planning topic focuses on making programs within the disciplines of spatial and project development, architecture, construction, planning and gentrification.

Sustainability
If we are good ancestors, we will leave a liveable and just world for the generations to come. The current climate, commodity and biodiversity crises show that we need to work even harder at this. Where can we improve or change the social systems? How do we arrive at an economy that guarantees a sustainable future? And how do we implement our sustainable ambitions and remove obstacles and blockages?

The Sustainability topic focuses on making programs about the circular economy, energy transition, climate adaptation, food, biodiversity and sustainable mobility. In doing so, we link the daily lives of residents of the city to the challenges at national and global level.

Technology
Governments and businesses use artificial intelligence, robots populate our production lines, our phones record every step we take and social media platforms are making it more and more difficult to distinguish fact from fiction. The rapid digitisation of our society provides opportunities, possibilities and convenience, but also brings unforeseen new obstacles, privacy problems and unwanted power shifts. How do we build a digital world that is open and accessible to everyone and in which our privacy is guaranteed?

The Technology topic focuses on making programs about new apps, AI, data use by governments and companies, the operation of algorithms, blockchain, e-economy and digital (civil) rights.

Economy
Decades of focus on economic growth have led to an increasing wealth inequality in our society. Globally, we are seeing significant disruptions due to climate change, increased migration, digitisation and the current COVID-19 pandemic. What are the alternatives, and how do we implement them? How do we ensure a resilient economy that leads to thriving communities and cities, and contributes to a liveable world and equal opportunities for all?

The topic of Economy focuses on making programs about the welfare economy, the containment of large capital, the tax system, pension funds and possibilities for a circular economy. We look at how we can make new economic systems work for us in a positive way.

Democracy
Traditional democratic institutions, such as political parties and elections, are under increased pressure due to a growing mistrust in administrative and financial systems. In addition, citizens are increasingly taking responsibility for solving social issues into their own hands, through citizen initiatives and neighbourhood cooperatives. Do existing institutions need to be revived, or are they due for renewal? Where are the opportunities for citizen participation and co-creation, and what are the pitfalls? And which new (local) democratic models can we introduce to make our democracy resilient to the challenges of the 21st century?

The Democracy topic focuses on making programs about democratic renewal, alternative democratic models and citizens’ initiatives. In doing so, we share experiences from the Netherlands and abroad and promote the exchange of knowledge.

Creative Industry
All urban and social tasks are by definition design issues. The emphasis is increasingly on a humanistic, holistic and sustainable design perspective. How do we design cities in which everyone – including future generations – feels at home? What role do designers and artists play in (re)considering and (re)designing our way of producing and consuming? How does the creative industry shine a light on the shortcomings of the current systems? And how can innovative design offer a solution?

The topic of Creative Industry deals with making programs about photography, industrial design, fashion, architecture and all other forms of art and design. We use the imagination of storytelling to connect past, present and future and offer a platform to inspiring designers, artists and initiatives.

Aankomende programma’s
Fotokroniek 110
Sandra Minten
In gesprek met Sandra Minten over de rol van taal en beeld in het vertellen van menselijke verhalen.
ma 16 jun, 20.00
Reserveer
Tipping Points Special
Change: how to make big things happen
How can we harness the mechanisms of going viral to spread good habits and new ideas?
ma 16 jun, 20.00
Reserveer
De Groene Stelling x Pakhuis de Zwijger
Tussen stad en land
Hoe zorgen we voor een gezond en groen landschap rond onze steden en dorpen?
di 17 jun, 19.30
Reserveer
Refugee Welcome Week 2025
Stories That Shift: Storytelling as action and archive
Exploring the power of storytelling through a panel session and a short film screening.
di 17 jun, 19.30
Reserveer
BioBlitz 2
BioBlitz: Bekijk de bloemetjes en bijtjes
Kom BioBlitzen op het Marineterrein en help jouw stad vergroenen! Deze keer gaan we op bezoek bij de bloemetjes, vlinders en bijen…
wo 18 jun, 14.00
Reserveer
Refugee Welcome Week 2025
We Dare to Dream
Can refugee athletes carry the dream of millions? A premiere screening marking the first ever Refugee Welcome Week in the Netherlands.
wo 18 jun, 19.30
Reserveer
In samenwerking met: A Hope Initiative en SudanConnect
Cola, Cosmetica en Conflict
De verborgen link tussen Arabische gom en het conflict in Soedan.
wo 18 jun, 19.30
Reserveer
Special
Afscheidsfeestje New Metropolis Nieuw-West
Neem samen met ons op feestelijke wijze afscheid van New Metropolis Nieuw-West.
do 19 jun, 16.00
Reserveer
Het Groene Filmfestival 8
Holy Shit @ Treehouse NDSM
Een initiatief van De Groene Stelling: Kunnen we met onze poep de planeet redden? In gesprek over kringlopen en taboes bij Treehouse NDSM.
do 19 jun, 19.30
Reserveer
Kringwijs presenteert: training voor buurtbewoners 3
Iemand Erbij
Leer hoe je het best kunt handelen in een crisissituatie met uiteenlopende problematiek.
vr 20 jun, 09.30
RFG Media x Pakhuis de Zwijger
Activisme en journalistiek
Wat kunnen we leren van gevluchte journalisten? Een dialoogavond met diner op Wereldvluchtelingendag.
vr 20 jun, 18.30
Koop kaarten
Queer City
Decolonizing Community
How can BIPOC Queer & Trans communities create braver spaces outside the normative standards?
vr 20 jun, 20.00
Reserveer
Amsterdam 750
Het Verjaardagbos
Vier de 750e verjaardag van Amsterdam samen met ons tijdens het Ringevenement en ontdek het Verjaardagbos!
za 21 jun, 10.00
SPECIAL
Tussen oorlog en vrede
Aan de vooravond van de NAVO-top een gesprek over vrede, veiligheid en de militarisering van onze samenleving.
ma 23 jun, 20.00
Reserveer
Unwanted Words Project presents:
Queer Poetry Night
Join us for the next edition of this open mic night!
di 24 jun, 19.00
Reserveer
ActionAid presents:
People Power for Social and Economic Justice in a Changing World
How women & communities, from Zimbabwe to Guatemala, are defending their rights and what it takes to turn hard-won gains into lasting change.
di 24 jun, 20.00
Reserveer
Economie van Morgen 16
Van TINA naar toekomstdroom
Hoe verbeeld je een rechtvaardige samenleving voorbij het neoliberalisme?
di 24 jun, 20.00
Reserveer
Het Groene Filmfestival 9
VPRO Tegenlicht Meet Up ‘Waterlanders’ @ Fort Penningsveer
Een initiatief van De Groene Stelling: Hoe ontwerpen we ons land voor een stijgende zee? In gesprek over klimaat, landschap en leefbaarheid bij Fort Penningsveer.
wo 25 jun, 19.30
Reserveer
Special
Heerlijk, helder, LNG
Hoe schoon gas en andere misleidende verhalen hun weg (niet) vinden in de media.
wo 25 jun, 19.30
Reserveer
De Circulaire Doorbraak 10
Help! Hoe kom ik tot een nieuw verdienmodel?
Hoe bouw je een verdienmodel dat niet langer draait om het verkopen van zoveel mogelijk spullen, maar is gebaseerd op reparatie, huur en tweedehands?
wo 25 jun, 19.30
Reserveer
In de spotlight