New version strategic plan and theme reports discussed

28 februari 2006

The themes for the new WOTRO strategy have been scientifically drafted by four expert groups. The reports of the expert groups and a new (semi-final) version of the WOTRO strategic plan will be revised after discussion in March.

The WOTRO themes are:

• Poverty and hunger;
• Health;
• Sustainable environment;
• Global relationships.

The four scientific expert groups formulated the scientific content for these themes by defining scientific questions of relevance for the Millennium Development Goals. They also sketched the scientific challenges within the four themes, considering international research agendas as well as the Dutch expertise present on the themes. In the new strategic period, the four themes will be used as a guideline for WOTRO in collaboration with other partners (e.g. NWO-divisions) in large thematic programmes, and as a framework for the open call for medium-sized WOTRO integrated programmes. In March, the Policy Advisory Committee (PAC) discusses the theme descriptions and the strategic plan with the WOTRO Board.

In the first half of 2005 WOTRO discussed its tentative plans with its main funders, NWO and DGIS, as well as with other partner organisations. The scientific community affiliated to WOTRO was consulted by means of a web consultation via this website and a meeting in the Jaarbeurs Congress Centre in Utrecht on 20 September 2005. The input received via the web consultation and the meeting is used in the further elaboration of the Strategic Plan. The final and definite strategy plan, including the theme descriptions, will be published in the course of May 2006.