The lessons of a recent evaluation of demand-driven research programmes in developing countries have not been incorporated into the ministry’s new research policy.

Eight years of UN administration in Kosovo have brought stability, but not reconciliation or consensus on the country’s status. The international administration had sufficient manpower, money and time, but has suffered from the lack of international agreement on Kosovo.

Everyone is in favour of good governance. But what exactly does it mean? Should it be promoted in order to enhance democracy? Or to create markets? Should we look only at formal institutions or also at civil society?

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.