/news/appeal-new-dutch-government-commit-strong-science-system-0
Dutch science has a strong position internationally. That expresses itself in a high level of prosperity and well-being. But maintaining and reinforcing that strong position for future generations is not something to be taken for granted. For that, stable investment, as deployed in recent years, remains crucial. We call on politicians to commit to a strong science system that is ready to meet the future. The countries around us invest heavily in science. The Netherlands must also continue to do so.
The Royal Academy and The Young Academy therefore call on the next government to focus on a number of crucial points:
1. Sufficient and systematic funding across the full breadth of science
- Ensure that the ambition is achieved of devoting at least 3% of the country's GDP to research and innovation, as set out in the Memorandum to Parliament on Innovation and Impact of 11 November 2022.
- Focus investment in research and large-scale research infrastructure across the full breadth of science.
- Ensure continuation of the Research & Science Fund, and increase it so that the foundation of the national knowledge institutes is also reinforced.
- Commit incentive funds to addressing major societal challenges and transitions so as to improve the overall well-being of the Netherlands.
2. International cooperation and an open science system
- Hold firmly to the principles of open scientific exchange ("open science"), academic freedom, and institutional autonomy when taking measures to promote knowledge security. Do not introduce screening of researchers from "third countries" based on disciplines or technologies.
- Leave choice as to the language of instruction for university courses to the universities themselves, so that they can make a carefully considered decision for each course based on its content and objectives.
3. Policy based on current scientific knowledge
- Promote and support new initiatives to bring together knowledge and policy.
- Consider appointing one or more independent inter-ministerial scientists as "chief science advisers" to the government.
4. An attractive, encouraging, and safe environment for scientists
- Encourage and support developments in science that improve researchers' working environment and make optimum use of their various talents.
- Provide public support for scientists who are intimidated or threatened because of their research.
Election debate on science
On Thursday 9 November, the Knowledge Coalition, of which the Academy is a member, held an election debate at Nieuwspoort (“Newsgate”, a venue where Dutch politicians, lobbyists, and journalists can meet informally). Party luminaries Jan Paternotte (D66), Christianne van der Wal (VVD), Mona Keijzer (BBB), and Lisa Westerveld (GroenLinks/PvdA) debated the cost analysis of the various election manifestos produced by the Netherlands Bureau for Economic Policy Analysis (CPB). They also discussed the proposed alarming cuts in investment in science, inappropriate use of the growth fund, the VVD's choice for the exact sciences, technology and medical sciences at the expense of the humanities and social sciences, internationalisation, and a great deal more. You can listen to the debate in the Betrouwbare Bronnen [Reliable Sources] podcast.
Also worth reading: Knowledge debate reveals: Investment in knowledge and innovation under severe pressure (in Dutch only)
The Knowledge Coalition – an alliance of organisations striving to create optimum conditions for research and innovation in the Netherlands – produced this Call to Politicians last summer prior to the elections for the Dutch House of Representatives.
Knowledge Coalition Election Call to Politicians
In the run-up to the elections, the Knowledge Coalition already published this Call to Politicians: Knowledge Coalition Election Call to Politicians – 2023 Elections for the Dutch House of Representatives (in Dutch only).
In response to the election results, the Knowledge Coalition calls for structural investment in science and research so as to maintain the Netherlands' solid foundation in research and innovation as well as talent. Marcel Levi, chair of the Knowledge Coalition, said: 'On behalf of the business community and the knowledge institutions, the Knowledge Coalition advocates continuing to strive to spend at least 3 per cent of the country's GDP on research and innovation. In the run-up to the elections, we have seen various plans that put a strain on investment in knowledge and innovation, despite these being so very important.'
The Royal Academy and The Young Academy therefore call on the next government to focus on a number of crucial points: