In this report to the government, the WRR presents its views of a future-oriented foreign policy for the Netherlands. It was prepared by an internal project group led by Professor H.P.M. Knapen, member of the Council until 14 October 2010. The Council formally approved this advice on 7 September 2010.

The WRR project group consisted of the following staff members: drs. G.A.T.M. Arts, dr.mr. A. van den Brink (also project coordinator until 1 May 2009), dr. Y. Kleistra, drs. M.H. Klem, drs. P.J.H. van Leeuwe (also project coordinator from 1 May 2009 until 1 August 2010), M. Rem MA MBA, and dr. F.S.L. Schouten. J. Kester BA and T.B.P. Tran MA were involved in the project for some time as an intern and junior academic staff member, respectively.

This report was informed by a thorough series of analyses, consultations, and seminars. Besides the review of a body of research literature, various studies into certain themes and countries were also performed, and interviews were conducted with over a hundred external experts and parties involved, who have been listed at the back of this report. Throughout the project, study visits were made and talks were held with those in charge of policy at international organisations (EU, UN and North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO)) and in several countries (Belgium, Luxembourg, France, Germany, the UK, Norway, Sweden, China and Singapore). Such comparisons with other nations were illuminating as writing about Dutch foreign policy also requires one to take on board the external perceptions of the Netherlands.

Over time, several external specialists made their expert contributions to the project. Dr. P. van Ham, director of the Global Governance research programme at the Netherlands Institute of International Relations Clingendael, wrote an analysis of public diplomacy. Dr. L. van Middelaar, publicist at the time and currently speech writer for the Cabinet of European Council President H.A. van Rompuy, prepared a contribution on the Netherlands and the EU. Dr. B. Müller, head of International Affairs at the representation of the federal state of North Rhine-Westphalia in Berlin, wrote a contribution on the foreign policy of our neighbouring federal state of North Rhine-Westphalia. Many elements of these contributions were incorporated in the final version of this report.

Special seminars were held with experts in the fields of food, water, and the international rule of law.