In December, the AWTI published the advisory report: ‘Knowledge in Conflict - Balancing Security and Freedom.’
In its advisory report, the Advisory Council for Science, Technology and Innovation (AWTI) answered the question: 'How should Dutch knowledge institutions, including higher education, in the Netherlands deal with the risks of international cooperation in knowledge development?' According to the advisory report, a learning approach is necessary to balance the risks and opportunities in international cooperation for knowledge institutions. The AWTI indicates that knowledge institutions must work on raising awareness and developing knowledge and skills around knowledge security among all stakeholders. The advisory report makes three concrete recommendations to improve existing policy.
AWTI recommendations
The following recommendations and subsequent proposed actions from the AWTI report should be taken up simultaneously:
- 'Further develop and improve understanding of knowledge security and balancing different values and interests.'
Action 1: 'Promote and share the outcomes of research on knowledge security in the broad sense.'
Action 2: 'Encourage a broad, nuanced discussion on the topic.' - 'The government, in collaboration with knowledge institutions, needs to clarify the risks and measures, recognizing that differentiation is needed.'
Action 1: 'Develop a sector-wide model to professionalize the approach to knowledge security.'
Action 2: 'Explore how organizational diversity of knowledge institutions in the Netherlands can be better utilized for knowledge security.' - 'Knowledge institutions must improve awareness, knowledge and skills around knowledge security.'
Action 1: 'Increase in breadth and depth awareness, knowledge and skill at knowledge institutions to mitigate risks and seize opportunities.'
Action 2: 'Expand knowledge security teams.'
According to the AWTI, promoting knowledge security is 'primarily a responsibility of government, in conjunction with knowledge institutions'. The AWTI emphasizes that in order to keep knowledge development safe and high-level, policy on knowledge security must be permanently improved.
International appreciation of Dutch knowledge security policy
Finally, the AWTI notes that many of its interlocutors at home and abroad refer to the Dutch the National Contact Point for Knowledge Security as good practice and that the Netherlands has accumulated a great deal of knowledge and expertise on knowledge security in a short period of time. Internationally, the AWTI believes that the input of Dutch experts and policy makers on this theme is appreciated.
Questions about knowledge security?
Do you have a question about knowledge security in the context of international cooperation? Please contact the National Contact Point for Knowledge Security.