Research trip to the Netherlands

In an era marked by polarization, disinformation, and growing mistrust in science, international collaboration among researchers has never been more vital. The complex challenges of our time – climate change, social inequality, digitalization, health crises, and the defense of democratic structures – cannot be tackled in isolation, nor confined within national or disciplinary boundaries. This year, the research trip organized by the Center for Advanced Studies led to the Netherlands, where researchers engaged with leading academic institutions and innovative organizations whose focus areas closely align with those of the Center in Bolzano. The goal: to gain fresh perspectives, strengthen international networks, and explore collaborative approaches to shaping societal transformation.

The trip began with a meeting with Marco Hennis, former Dutch ambassador to Austria and former Grand Master of the Royal Household. Over the course of his diplomatic career, Hennis held key positions with NATO in Islamabad, Belgrade, The Hague, and Brussels. Drawing on this experience, he offered an insightful overview of the Netherlands' role in global affairs, placing it in the context of today’s political landscape. The phrase “God created the Earth, but the Dutch created the Netherlands” came vividly to life during a city tour with Paul Vlok, who introduced the team to IJburg, a pioneering urban expansion project in Amsterdam. Entire residential neighborhoods - complete with floating homes – have been constructed on artificial islands, exemplifying how the Netherlands is reclaiming land from water with visionary planning and design, even as it confronts pressing environmental concerns.

An inspiring stop was the Athena Institute at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, recognized for its strong commitment to a transdisciplinary approach. The institute aims to better align research and innovation with the real, pressing needs of society. During discussions with Anne Loeber (Associate Professor of Governance and Sustainability), Caroline Meier zu Biesen (Assistant Professor of Transdisciplinary Global Health), Renate Baumgartner (Assistant Professor of Participatory AI), Kristiaan Kok (Assistant Professor of Politics & Governance of Sustainability Transitions), and Francesca Morselli (Postdoctoral Fellow), the team from the Center for Advanced Studies explored topics such as participatory research, public involvement in the research process, sustainable transformation, global health challenges, and the development of inclusive and responsible artificial intelligence.

The visit to the Port of Rotterdam provided valuable insights into another facet of global challenges. As one of the world’s largest seaports and Europe’s largest deep-water harbor, the port plays a crucial role in international trade. Kenzo van Maris (Business Manager for Shippers & Forwarders and Trans-Atlantic Trade) outlined the ambitious goal of the Port of Rotterdam to become climate-neutral by 2050, while also emphasizing its strategic significance for Europe.

In Utrecht, the team had two appointments at the local university. At IOS – Institutions for Open Societies, Selin Dilli (Associate Professor of Economic History) and Marnix De Witte (External Cooperation Coordinator) provided insights into current research approaches focused on the future of open and resilient societies. The primary goal is to support the transition to a society characterized by flexible democratic structures, individual well-being alongside the associated rights to freedom and human rights, equality, diversity, and free access to information. During this meeting, the need for collaboration between research and society was again emphasized.

Another highlight in Utrecht was the meeting with Bruce Mutsvairo, UNESCO Chair on Disinformation, Data, and Democracy, and Chair for Media, Politics, and the Global South at the Department of Media and Culture Studies. This discussion centered on the importance of media literacy and journalism, the protection of democratic values in the digital age, and the challenges related to disinformation and fake news.

The trip concluded with a visit to the Netherlands Board of Tourism and Conventions in The Hague. In a plenary session, Anouk van Eekelen, Director of Destination Development, presented the Tourism Strategy 2030 for the Netherlands, focusing on transformation, sustainability, climate protection, and digitalization. In subsequent break-out sessions, participants deepened discussions with Michael Siebers (Digitalization), Thijs de Groot (Sustainability and Climate), and Eelco Snip (Future Social and Economic Trends) on key issues regarding the future of tourism and the development of livable regions.

The research trip to the Netherlands demonstrated the importance of international cooperation, interdisciplinary perspectives, and societal responsibility in future-oriented research – principles that also guide the Center for Advanced Studies in its daily work.