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
Voorprogramma Hemel en Aarde
Klimaatwake
Wat doet de klimaatcrisis met ons als mens?
ma 16 dec, 19.00
Reserveer
Special
Hemel en Aarde
Moslims, monniken en milieuactivisten over het geloof in actie. Waar kruisen religie en klimaatrechtvaardigheid?
ma 16 dec, 20.00
Reserveer
Justice for Palestine 23
Jenin Refugee Camp: Hope, Struggle and Resilience
Film screening about the history of Jenin Camp, from its founding to today’s challenges and dreams.
ma 16 dec, 20.00
Reserveer
Designing Cities for All 67
Grand Finale Designing Cities for All
Wrapping up 2 years of DCFA:Re-generation programmes and activities. To celebrate, we're launching the 3rd DCFA Essay Book!
ma 16 dec, 20.00
Reserveer
Stichting Unwanted Words Project
Queer Poetry Night
Join us for the next edition of this open mic night!
di 17 dec, 19.00
Reserveer
Tech for Society 28
Mooi ontworpen is niet altijd goed ontworpen
Wat onderscheidt een goed ontworpen object van de zoveelste hype?
di 17 dec, 19.30
Reserveer
World Without Borders 4
Onrechtvaardig beleid: Gezinshereniging
Wat zijn de gevolgen en de impact van het overheidsbeleid dat gezinnen langdurig scheidt?
di 17 dec, 20.00
Reserveer
Governance for society
Voorbij de waan van de dag
Waarom bereikt de (economische) wetenschap de politiek nauwelijks, en welke rol speelt het politieke spel en beeldvorming? En belangrijker: hoe lossen we dit op?
wo 18 dec, 19.30
Reserveer
Speed Summit pre event
Let’s talk about speed: safer vehicles or safer streets?
Do safer vehicles make us forget the need for safer streets?
wo 18 dec, 20.00
Reserveer
VPRO Tegenlicht Special 5
Vervreemd van vreemden
Hoe komen we weer in contact met de mensen om ons heen?
wo 18 dec, 20.00
Reserveer
Doevendansen met Nieuw-West 12
Eindejaar Talkshow
Maandelijks gesprek tussen stadsdeelbestuurder Sandra Doevendans en bewoners over thema’s die spelen in Nieuw-West.
do 19 dec, 19.00
Reserveer
Special
Nederland voor de Nederlanders
Welkom in Nederland voor de Nederlanders. Een land waar steeds minder mensen thuishoren, zich thuis voelen of een thuis vinden. Want wie is die Nederlander, en wie bepaalt dat?
do 19 dec, 20.00
Reserveer
De Graan Gesprekken 2
Tasty Tarwe
Een smaakvolle avond over goede granen op ons bord. Hoe gezond is tarwe en hoe brengen we innovatie in de keuken met dit eeuwenoude gewas?
do 19 dec, 20.00
Reserveer
Kringwijs presenteert: training voor buurtbewoners 3
Iemand Erbij
Leer hoe je het best kunt handelen in een crisissituatie met uiteenlopende problematiek.
vr 20 dec, 09.30
Groene Transitie
Het grote VN klimaatsimulatie spel
Kan jij 10 jaar na het Parijs-akkoord het perspectief van boeren, klimaatactivisten, industrie en politiek en op één lijn krijgen in dit interactieve simulatiespel?
wo 8 jan 2025, 19.30
Reserveer
Tegenlicht Meet Up 250
Error 404: het internet in de crisis
Het internet is uitgegroeid tot een web van commerciële belangen, afhankelijkheid en desinformatie. Hoe maken we het internet weer van iedereen?
wo 8 jan 2025, 20.00
Reserveer
Between the Sun, Wind and Waves 3
Bite The Bullet Live Show
Bite The Bullet podcast's 50th episode live from Pakhuis de Zwijger!
vr 10 jan 2025, 20.00
Reserveer
Filmvertoning & nagesprek
De Wilde Noordzee
Duik met ons de diepte in van het grootste natuurgebied van ons land.
ma 13 jan 2025, 20.00
Reserveer
Lokaal Europa 3
Van grijs naar groen: Tata Steel en schone industrie
Wat betekent de Europese Clean Industrial Deal voor de regio Amsterdam?
ma 13 jan 2025, 20.00
Reserveer
In de spotlight