Today, our director, Karen van Oudenhoven, spoke at the invitation of informateur Sybrand Buma about the importance of social and societal perspectives in policymaking. The discussion focused on social cohesion, resilience, and the relationship between citizens and government. These aspects are important to ensure policies align well with society and strengthen citizens trust.
During the conversation, the director conveyed the SCP perspective, emphasizing several key policy considerations.
Social and societal perspective strengthens policy
The social and societal perspective should be part of policymaking. Policies that consider citizens daily lives better meet their needs and strengthen their trust in government and politics. It is important to examine how each policy choice affects social life, relationships, and peoples well-being.
Strengthening citizens trust in government and politics
Citizens trust in government and politics is under pressure. Transparency, active citizen involvement, and clarifying which interests influence decisions contribute to legitimacy and strengthen the connection between government and society. When citizens feel their voice counts and decisions are made carefully, trust and policy support grow.
Strengthening social cohesion and connecting people
Social cohesion forms the basis of a resilient society. Bringing together people from different backgrounds and life worlds, investing in vulnerable groups, and strengthening shared values help people support each other. Neighborhood meeting places, local initiatives, and strong social networks ensure people get to know, support, and jointly respond to challenges. This not only increases well-being but also the resilience of society as a whole.
Increasing resilience through strong communities and citizen initiatives
Resilience goes beyond dikes and emergency kits. Strong communities and social networks enable people to support each other in crises. The government can strengthen this by trusting and actively supporting citizen initiatives.
The conversation with the informateur underscores that social and societal perspectives are not a side issue but an essential part of effective and resilient policymaking.
