An introduction to the WRR

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Anne-Greet Keizer – Senior research fellow and International liaison: 
The Netherlands Scientific Council for Government Policy 
is an independent advisory body.  
The council is also known 
under the Dutch abbreviation WRR.
Our task is to advise the Dutch government 
and parliament on longer term strategic issues
that are likely to have important societal 
and political consequences.
The WRR is part 
of a rich Dutch advisory landscape,
in which several councils and other bodies
have their own particular task.
Within this landscape the WRR has to tackle 
issues that are not tied to any one policy sector,
and are concerned with the overall direction
of government policy for the longer term.
The WRR comprises a council of 
eight members and an academic staff,
which work together closely 
in project teams.
Advisory reports are always discussed 
extensively in staff and council meetings,
and are therefore a product 
of the collective council.
Council members hold academic chairs in diverse fields, 
covering natural and social sciences and humanities.
With this range of expertise,
they collectively reflect the different dimensions
of society and policy.
Since its establishment in 1972 the WRR 
has written reports on a wide variety of topics.
It has built up a rich portfolio covering area’s 
such as economic development,
the labour market, migration, health, climate policy, 
digitalisation and the future of Europe.
The WRR is organisationally part 
of the Ministry of the Prime Minister.
However, it has its own
Act of Establishment,
with a number of stipulations 
that confirm its independent position.
The council determines its own work programme,
and what and when we publish.
The act of establishment also safeguards
the reception of our work.
The government is obliged 
to respond publicly to our reports,
in the form of a Memorandum to Parliament.
The WRR is independent but not isolated.
During a project we consult a wide range 
of experts from both academia and practice.
Our craftsmanship focuses on 
the translation to and from science.
We are experts in translating 
a societal issue into a policy problem,
followed by a scientific question.
But also, in explaining the policy relevance 
of scientific findings…
and actually formulating policy advice 
that works and is acceptable.

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WRR’s logo appears on screen.

On-screen text: The Netherlands Scientific Council for Government Policy. 
info@wrr.nl