The Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs is working to create a more knowledge-oriented organizational culture. But at the same time it is losing its internal capacity for strategic thinking, a crucial attribute in an era of globalization, integrated policy and the politicization of development cooperation.   read more >>

In issue 2, The Broker described the knowledge policy of the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs. We invited Rob de Vos of the ministry and Louk Box of the Institute of Social Studies, to discuss the ministry’s efforts to adapt its knowledge policy to the changing global environment.   read more >>

Those of you who missed the Czech Constitutional Court's ruling and the subsequent signing of the Treaty by Vaclav Klaus on were likely staying on an uninhabited island. The addition of the final signature last Tuesday at 15.00 PM Central European Time also marked an official end to a long period of speculation and uncertainty, as well as a short tradition of researchers to accompany statements on Lisbon with 'if ratified', 'likely to be ratified', 'eventual ratification of',...   read more >>

Ineke Malsch is the director of Malsch TechnoValuation, and a consultant on technology and society. The title of this weblog is a literal translation of the Dutch project title 'Nanorecht en Vrede'. The aim of this project is to introduce the international dimension in the Dutch national public dialogue on nanotechnology, by focusing on potential future implications of nanotechnology, its applications on global peace and security, and on the interests of people in developing countries, o...   read more >>

In order to improve the promotion of Policy Coherence for Development in the European Union, we need to address both 'thematic' and 'horizontal' priorities. Thematic priorities such as trade and migration policies are generally in the limelight and discussed ardently - as was the case in the Council and the EP recently. Horizontal priorities - what is to be done to actually ensure delivery on PCD? - are perhaps less exciting but no less crucial to achieving progress on PCD...   read more >>