The WODC (Research and Data Centre), a Dutch agency in the field of Justice and Security, is an independent knowledge institute that falls under the Dutch Ministry of Justice and Security. The WODC contributes to upholding and improving the rule of law by carrying out high-quality scientific research (or commissioning others to do so on its behalf), as well as by presenting solicited and unsolicited knowledge, points for improvement and (where possible) thinking strategies.
Activities
The WODC's activities can be subdivided into three core tasks:
- Conducting in-house research.
- Commissioning and supervising external research.
- Indicating the possible implications of research findings for the Ministry's standing policy.
Mission
The WODC advocates independent research that can pass the research quality test. The WODC's research contributes to policy that is supported by facts and knowledge. The WODC contributes to a safer and more just society by opening up research results for politicians, professionals, members of the public, media and researchers.
Vision
By conducting or commissioning research, the WODC creates a body of knowledge in the field of Justice and Security. The WODC's knowledge is available to everyone. In practice, the reports are mainly used by the staff of the Ministry of Justice and Security and its implementing agencies, but politicians, scientists, journalists and members of the public can also use the information contained in the research.
Access to high-quality, socially-relevant knowledge from the WODC's reports ensures that policymakers can make better decisions, that elected representatives and media can better verify the policy that is being implemented, that members of the public can make informed choices when exercising their democratic rights and that the research community can benefit from the WODC's insights. In doing so, the WODC contributes to a strong constitutional state.