1 00:00:00,765 --> 00:00:04,240 *Music plays* 2 00:00:04,360 --> 00:00:10,080 The Netherlands Scientific Council for Government Policy is an independent advisory body. 3 00:00:10,080 --> 00:00:15,000 The council is also known under the Dutch abbreviation WRR. 4 00:00:15,000 --> 00:00:20,720 Our task is to advise the Dutch government and parliament on longer term strategic issues… 5 00:00:20,720 --> 00:00:25,200 that are likely to have important societal and political consequences. 6 00:00:25,200 --> 00:00:29,720 The WRR is part of a rich Dutch advisory landscape, 7 00:00:29,720 --> 00:00:34,080 in which several councils and other bodies have their own particular task. 8 00:00:34,080 --> 00:00:41,200 Within this landscape the WRR has to tackle issues that are not tied to any one policy sector, 9 00:00:41,200 --> 00:00:46,520 and are concerned with the overall direction of government policy for the longer term. 10 00:00:46,520 --> 00:00:51,680 The WRR comprises a council of eight members and an academic staff, 11 00:00:51,680 --> 00:00:54,440 which work together closely in project teams. 12 00:00:54,440 --> 00:00:59,560 Advisory reports are always discussed extensively in staff and council meetings, 13 00:00:59,560 --> 00:01:02,800 and are therefore a product of the collective council. 14 00:01:02,800 --> 00:01:11,000 Council members hold academic chairs in diverse fields, covering natural and social sciences and humanities. 15 00:01:11,000 --> 00:01:12,920 With this range of expertise, 16 00:01:12,920 --> 00:01:17,520 they collectively reflect the different dimensions of society and policy. 17 00:01:17,520 --> 00:01:25,000 Since its establishment in 1972 the WRR has written reports on a wide variety of topics. 18 00:01:25,000 --> 00:01:30,600 It has built up a rich portfolio covering area’s such as economic development, 19 00:01:30,600 --> 00:01:38,480 the labour market, migration, health, climate policy, digitalisation and the future of Europe. 20 00:01:38,480 --> 00:01:43,720 The WRR is organisationally part of the Ministry of the Prime Minister. 21 00:01:43,720 --> 00:01:46,880 However, it has its own Act of Establishment, 22 00:01:46,880 --> 00:01:51,280 with a number of stipulations that confirm its independent position. 23 00:01:51,280 --> 00:01:56,200 The council determines its own work programme, and what and when we publish. 24 00:01:56,200 --> 00:01:58,440 The act of establishment also safeguards… 25 00:01:58,440 --> 00:02:00,560 the reception of our work. 26 00:02:00,560 --> 00:02:04,120 The government is obliged to respond publicly to our reports, 27 00:02:04,120 --> 00:02:11,160 in the form of a Memorandum to Parliament. The WRR is independent but not isolated. 28 00:02:11,160 --> 00:02:16,880 During a project we consult a wide range of experts from both academia and practice. 29 00:02:16,880 --> 00:02:22,040 Our craftsmanship focuses on the translation to and from science. 30 00:02:22,040 --> 00:02:27,160 We are experts in translating a societal issue into a policy problem, 31 00:02:27,160 --> 00:02:29,280 followed by a scientific question. 32 00:02:29,280 --> 00:02:33,400 But also, in explaining the policy relevance of scientific findings… 33 00:02:33,400 --> 00:02:38,480 and actually formulating policy advice that works, and is acceptable. 34 00:02:38,480 --> 00:02:40,600 *Music plays* 35 00:02:40,600 --> 00:02:43,126 *Music stops*