Survey OECD Policy Advisory

OECD 2016 SURVEY ON POLICY ADVISORY SYSTEMS
1. Objective of the survey
Governments receive advice from different actors and organizations at different moments of the policy process.
This 2016 OECD survey on policy advisory systems aims to assess the type, frequency of use, and level of
influence of advisory bodies across the policy cycle, particularly looking more in depth at governments’ use of
ad hoc and permanent policy advisory bodies. This work is part of the OECD Public Governance Committee
Policy Making Toolkit.
Policy advice can have several functions in different moments of the policy- and decision-making process. It can
serve as an agenda-setting function, by highlighting emerging (societal, technological or other) trends and
themes. In addition to supporting and structuring the process prior to actual policymaking, advisory bodies serve
an important role in the policy-making process itself by helping to frame policy options and forge consensus
around them, which facilitates policy adoption and implementation. Advisory bodies can also play a role in the
evaluation and monitoring government policies (ex post policy evaluation), for example ad hoc commissions are
often asked to evaluate government policy, closing the policy cycle as a way to prepare advice for new policies.
The policy advisory system positioned around governments often consists of advisory councils, (ad hoc)
commissions, commissions of inquiry, foresight units, special advisors, ‘tiger teams’, innovation fora, ‘what
works centers’, think tanks and universities and many other bodies, all of which provide knowledge and advice
to government.
This survey is specifically concerned with the advisory bodies that are within the public sector, but at arms’
length from government. Examples of these policy advisory bodies are (ad hoc) commissions, temporary
advisory commissions, permanent advisory bodies and (public) think tanks (see the Example of the Netherlands
in Box 1). This demarcation excludes the advisors inside of government, such as the ministerial advisors, as well
as private and external knowledge and advisory bodies, such as private consultancy firms or lobby groups. The
background research paper prepared by the Netherlands School of Public Administration (NSOB) offers
additional insights on policy advisory systems which could be useful for delegates when completing the survey.
The Survey is divided in three parts:
1. Type, frequency of use and assessment of advisory bodies
2. The role of permanent advisory bodies
3. The role of ad-hoc advisory bodies
1
Box 1: Policy advisory bodies in the Netherlands:
Examples of permanent, temporary and ad-hoc policy advisory bodies
The Netherlands regulates and structures its policy advisory bodies by law and distinguishes
the following permanent, temporary and ad-hoc advisory bodies.
Permanent policy advisory bodies in the Netherlands

 Permanent strategic advisory bodies. These bodies are concerned with advising
government and parliament on outlines. Their orientation in on middle- to long-term
policy issues. Examples are: the council for education, council for culture, council for
societal development and the council for rural areas.
 Permanent technical advisory bodies. The functions of these bodies are comparable
to the permanent strategic advisory bodies, but their focus is narrower and focused
on specific policy issues. They advise government, parliament and senate on specific
laws or technical or specialist policy issues. Examples are: the Dutch data protection
agency, the financial relations council and the advisory committee on migration
affairs.
 Permanent state knowledge institutes. These institutes provide scientific technical
advice that is needed by specific ministries. Mostly they are organized as agencies.
Examples are the central agency for statistics and the national institute for public
health and the environment.
 Permanent assessment agencies / planning offices. These advisory bodies are
concerned with the analysis, monitoring and strategic foresight in the economic,
social and physical policy domains. Examples are: Netherlands bureau for economic
policy analysis, The Netherlands environmental assessment agency and the
Netherlands institute for social research.
Ad-hoc and temporary policy advisory bodies in the Netherlands

 Temporary councils. These councils are concerned with time dependent topics.
These advisory bodies can be assigned for a period of maximum four years. An
example is the evaluation and advisory commission on adequate education.
 Ad-hoc advisory commissions / ‘one time’ advisory commissions. These commissions
are concerned with one particular question and provide government with one single
advice and disappear afterwards. A recent example is Commission Hoekstra that
after the murder of a former minister by a mentally ill person researches the
functioning of the mental healthcare system in the Netherlands.
2. Scope of the Survey
Respondents are asked to provide information or data from the view of the national central/federal level of
government.
Central/federal government includes all line ministries/departments in the executive branch of government,
including also cabinet or executive offices and executive agencies. It does not include sub-national line
ministries and departments. It excludes state-owned enterprises and public corporations. While this limits the
scope of the responses and will not capture the activities of sub-national governments, it ensures that the data are
comparable across all responding countries.
2
3. Definition of key terms
When completing this questionnaire, please refer to the Glossary of key terms. It is possible that the terminology
applied in this questionnaire may not exactly match or may not be applicable to the particular context in your
country. In such cases, please use the comments section (or other space provided) to specify the terminology
used in your country and clarify your choice of response. This additional clarification will enhance
comparability and data quality.
4. Guidelines to respond to the survey
Delegates of the Public Governance Committee are kindly asked to nominate a single point of contact
(SPOC) to co-ordinate the national response to the survey. In particular, the SPOC will be in charge of
collecting necessary information to fill out the survey. We also kindly ask you to confirm your participation in
the survey by Thursday 16 June 2016 via email to James Drummond (James.Drummond@oecd.org)
Instructions: A few practical aspects to note when completing the online questionnaire:
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have either a "Don't know" or "Not applicable" choice, or both. If no alternative choice is appropriate,
please select one of the two choices to continue with the survey.
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completed by copying and pasting in text from other documents.
5. Time line
The deadline for answering this questionnaire is Thursday 1 September 2016.
For further assistance, information or advice in completing this questionnaire please contact:
James.Drummond@oecd.org
6. The research: a document study, survey and interviews
The timeline of the research, including steps for the survey and follow up activities, is described in the following
table:
3
Research Activities Dates
Phase for Countries to complete the Survey

1 June 2016-1 September 2016
Deadline for completing the survey

1 September 2016
Interviews with Senior Officials

September 2016
Results feeding into a section of the OECD policy

making toolkit November 2016
The research on advisory systems consists of three parts. First, a document study was previously conducted.
Second, this survey distributed to countries is to obtain information on the institutional set-up and functioning of
your advisory system. Third, interviews with senior officials are planned for September 2016, to collect more
qualitative insights on the internal political-administrative advisory system.
The OECD Secretariat will use the results of the survey, as well as additional research and interviews, for a
section of the policy-making tool kit.
4
OECD 2016 SURVEY ON POLICY ADVISORY SYSTEMS
Contact information of the respondent(s)
Please provide contact information the OECD can use for potential follow-up questions.
Last name:
First name:
Respondent’s institution:
Position:
Telephone number:
Main contact email:
PART 1. TYPE, FREQUENCY AND ASSESSMENT OF ADVISORY BODIES
The objective of this section is to inquire about the type, frequency of use and level of influence of advisory
bodies across the policy cycle.
A) Agenda Shaping (problem identification)
1. To what extent do the advisory bodies below exert influence in terms of shaping the agenda for
reform?
Don't
Major Significant Some None N/A
know
a. Ad-hoc advisory
□ □ □ □ □ □
bodies
b. Permanent
advisory bodies □ □ □ □ □ □
with secretariat
c. Permanent
advisory bodies
□ □ □ □ □ □
without a
secretariat
d. Public research
□ □ □ □ □ □
institutions
e.
Planning/assessme □ □ □ □ □ □
nt advisory body
f. Foresight
□ □ □ □ □ □
advisory body
5
g. Public think tank □ □ □ □ □ □
h. Other, please
□ □ □ □ □ □
specify:
Provide relevant additional details and any relevant links:
B) Policy development
2. What is the level of impact of the advisory bodies below on policy development?
Don't
High Medium Low None N/A
know
a. Ad-hoc advisory bodies □ □ □ □ □ □
b. Permanent advisory
□ □ □ □ □ □
bodies with secretariat
c. Permanent advisory
□ □ □ □ □ □
bodies without a secretariat
d. Public research
□ □ □ □ □ □
institutions
e. Planning/assessment
□ □ □ □ □ □
advisory body
f. Foresight advisory body □ □ □ □ □ □
h. Other, please specify: □ □ □ □ □ □
6
C) Policy implementation
3. To which extent do the following monitor the implementation of policy?
Don't
Always Often Rarely Never N/A
know
□ □ □ □ □ □
□ □ □ □ □ □
d. Public research
□ □ □ □ □ □
institutions
□ □ □ □ □ □
advisory body
D) Policy evaluation
4. Do any of the following have a role for evaluating policy? (Select all that apply)
Don't
know
□ □ □ □ □ □
□ □ □ □ □ □
d. Public research
□ □ □ □ □ □
institutions
7
□ □ □ □ □ □
advisory body
5. In the event that bodies have a role in evaluating policy, are policy evaluations completed upon
the request of government, according to the self-judgment of the advisory bodies, or upon
recommendation from the advisory body board? (branch from Q4)
Upon
At the request Don't
Self-Judgment recommendation N/A
of government know
from the board
a. Ad-hoc advisory bodies □ □ □ □ □
□ □ □ □ □
□ □ □ □ □
d. Public research
□ □ □ □ □
institutions
□ □ □ □ □
advisory body
f. Foresight advisory body □ □ □ □ □
g. Public think tank □ □ □ □ □
h. Other, please specify: □ □ □ □ □
8
6. In the event that bodies have a role in evaluating policy, how often are evaluation results used to
inform future policy development? (branch from Q4)
Don't
know
□ □ □ □ □ □
□ □ □ □ □ □
d. Public research
□ □ □ □ □ □
institutions
□ □ □ □ □ □
advisory body
7. Which part of government requests advice from the following advisory bodies?
Relevant Don't
The cabinet The parliament N/A
ministries know
a. Ad-hoc advisory bodies □ □ □ □ □
□ □ □ □ □
□ □ □ □ □
d. Public research
□ □ □ □ □
institutions
□ □ □ □ □
advisory body
9
f. Foresight advisory body □ □ □ □ □
g. Public think tank □ □ □ □ □
h. Other, please specify: □ □ □ □ □
If you have any further comments on this section, please use the space below:
10
PART 2. PERMANENT POLICY ADVISORY BODIES
Permanent policy advisory bodies are positioned at arm’s length of government. The names of the permanent
advisory bodies differ across countries. Some examples are:
- Advisory councils, such as councils for educational policies or scientific councils

- Think tanks
- Consultative bodies
- Research institutes
- Assessment planning agencies
- Etc.
8. Please list the permanent advisory bodies in the following table:
1 2 3 4 5
How would you typify this
Major role in
this advisory body?
policy making
Governance
process:
Financial structure: (a) advisory council/board
Policy resources with staff
(a) provide
domains mainly: (a) Council (b) advisory council/board
Name of evaluations
covered by structure no staff Not
advisory (b) provide
advisory body (a) public (b) Board of (c) government research applicable
body evidence
(e.g. education (b) directors institute
(c) to create
environment) private (c) Single (d) planning/assessment
legitimacy
(c) mixed head advisory body
(d) to present
(d) Other (e) foresight advisory body
alternative views
(f) public think tank
(e) other
(g) other
Name 1
Name 2
Name 3
Name 4
Name 5
Name 6
Name 7
Name 8
Name 9
Name 10
Please provide additional comments and any relevant links:
Note: If you wish to submit a longer list of permanent advisory bodies, please attach electronically
11
9. Does your government have general regulations with regard to permanent advisory bodies?
Note: These regulations can for example cover elements related to the mandate, duration, access to information,
etc. (see examples under Q10)
A. Yes
B. No
C. Don’t know
IF 9A, answer 10-11

IF 9B or C, skip to 12
10. Which of the following are covered by regulations?
Yes No Don't know

The mandate of
advisory bodies □ □ □
The duration of
The budget of the

The quality of the

advice □ □ □
The access to
information □ □ □
The instructions for

research or advice
(specifications of the
□ □ □
research questions,
methods etc.)
The procedures
concerning the staff of
□ □ □
advisory bodies
The procedures
concerning the request
□ □ □
for advice
Please provide additional comments and any relevant links:
12
11. Do provisions to regulate the following situations exist for permanent advisory bodies?
Yes No Don't know

Conflict of interest □ □ □
Acceptance of gifts by body
□ □ □
members
Disclosure of contacts with
□ □ □
interest groups
□ □ □
lobbyist
12. How does government request advice from permanent advisory bodies? (select all that apply)
 By formal written requests
 By unwritten requests
 They are specified in law
 Don't know
 Other, please specify:
Provide any relevant additional details and relevant links:
13. What elements do the requests cover? (select all that apply)
 The research question that the advice should cover
 The policy options that the advice should cover
 The research method that should be used
 Don't know
14. Are the permanent advisory bodies allowed to produce and publish unrequested advice?
Note: Some advisory bodies may produce advice that they think is important for government to reflect on, but is
not requested by government itself. Some advisory bodies can spend a part of their budget on this unrequested
advice.
A. Yes
B. No
C. Don’t know
IF 14A, provide details in the space below
13
15. Is government obliged by formal regulations to respond to the advice given by permanent
advisory bodies?
Example: in the Netherlands, the government is obligated to send their response regarding advice produced by
advisory bodies within three months of the publication of the advice.
A. Yes
B. No
C. Don’t know
IF 15A, provide details in the space below
Provide additional details and any relevant links:
16. To whom do permanent advisory bodies address their advice? (select all that apply)
 The cabinet
 The relevant ministry
 The parliament
 The public
 Don't know
17. To what extent is advice of the permanent advisory bodies made publicly available?
A. Always
B. Often
C. Rarely
D. Never
E. Don't know
14
IF 17A-C, answer 18
IF 17D, skip to 19
18. How is the advice disclosed?
Don't
know
National governmental webpage □ □ □ □ □ □
Newspaper articles □ □ □ □ □ □
Discussion documents □ □ □ □ □ □
Research reports □ □ □ □ □ □
Documentaries □ □ □ □ □ □
Social media (Twitter, Facebook) □ □ □ □ □ □
Official state messages □ □ □ □ □ □
Presentations in public meetings □ □ □ □ □ □
Other, please specify: □ □ □ □ □ □
19. For each governance structure (Board of Directors, Chairman of the Board, and Single Head),
who appoints the members / head of permanent advisory bodies? (Select all that apply)
Members Chairman
Single Don't
of the of the N/A
Head know
Board Board
By a line minister □ □ □ □ □
By the government upon the proposal of a line
□ □ □ □ □
minister (e.g. council of ministers)
By the president / head of government directly □ □ □ □ □
By the legislative branch on proposal from the
□ □ □ □ □
Board of the advisory body
By the board of the advisory body itself □ □ □ □ □
By stakeholders in society □ □ □ □ □
Other (please specify): □ □ □ □ □
15
20. What is the term limit of the head of permanent advisory bodies? (Note: Term limits may vary by
country. If the choices presented do not represent the situation in your country, please use the space
below to provide the relevant information.)
A. More than 8 years (Please explain where this applies in the box below)
B. 6 to 8 years
C. Equal to 5 years
D. Equal to 4 years
E. Less than 4 years
F. At the discretion of appointer (no limits or not mentioned)
G. Varies per body (please specify in the box below)
H. Don't know
I. Other (please specify):
21. Does the tenure of the head of permanent advisory body follow the same timeline as the political
cycle?
A. Yes
B. No
C. Don't know
D. Other, please specify
22. Are there provisions for the dismissal of the head of permanent advisory body?
A. No provision for dismissal
B. Only for non-policy reasons (e.g., incapability, or violation of law)
C. At the discretion of Advisory body Board
D. For policy reasons at legislative branch's discretion
E. At legislative branch's discretion
F. For policy reasons at executive branch's discretion
G. At executive branch's discretion
H. Don't know
I. Other, please specify
16
23. May the head of the advisory body hold other offices in government?
A. Prohibited by law
B. Not allowed unless authorized by executive branch
C. No prohibition for holding another offices
D. Don't know
E. Other please specify
24. Is there mandatory participation of government representatives in the board of permanent

advisory bodies?
A. Yes
B. No
C. Don't know
25. What are the professional backgrounds of members at the top level of the permanent advisory
bodies?
Don't
know
Senior officials □ □ □ □ □ □
Private sector representatives □ □ □ □ □ □
Union representatives □ □ □ □ □ □
Non-governmental organisation (NGO)
□ □ □ □ □ □
representatives
Academics with a background in law, public
□ □ □ □ □ □
administration or political science
Academics with a background in economics □ □ □ □ □ □
Academics with a background in other social
□ □ □ □ □ □
sciences (psychology, sociology, etc.)
Academics with a background in science □ □ □ □ □ □
17
26. Are the permanent advisory bodies supported by their own personnel?
A. Always
B. Often
C. Sometimes
D. Rarely
E. Never
F. Don't know
IF 26A to D, answer 27
IF 26 E, skip to 28
27. In the case when permanent advisory bodies are supported by their own secretariat, what are the
professional backgrounds of the secretariat?
Don't
know
Non-governmental organisation (NGO) or
□ □ □ □ □ □
union representatives
□ □ □ □ □ □
□ □ □ □ □ □
Other academic backgrounds □ □ □ □ □ □
Civil servants on secondment □ □ □ □ □ □
18
19
PART 3. AD HOC ADVISORY BODIES
Ad-hoc advisory bodies are installed on an ad-hoc and temporary basis to provide knowledge and policy advice
to government. The ad-hoc advisory bodies have different roles in decision- and policy-making processes of
government, such as: exploring new policy issues, studying strategic foresight or conducting policy evaluations.
These bodies have the following features:

- Their major function is to provide knowledge and advice to the national/federal government;
- The bodies exist on an ad-hoc and temporary basis;
- The bodies have a public interest (not commercial).
Examples of ad-hoc (temporary) advisory bodies:

- Research commissions, committees, groups or panels;
- Commissions of inquiry or investigation;
- Advisory commissions, groups or panels;
- Royal commissions;
- Etc.
Example I: commissions of inquiry in Sweden have an important role in the legislative processes. Most major
legislation and major political decisions are prepared within the commission system. When an issue arises on the
political agenda, the cabinet can decide to appoint a commission to investigate the regarding policy issue and
policy options. These commissions are usually composed of (societal or political) representatives and experts.
Example II: the Dutch government forms expert commissions for different reasons. There are evaluation
commissions that evaluate past policies, political commissions that are formed during critical political debates,
research commissions to clarify and understand policy issues and taskforce commissions to advocate future
policy issues.
28. Please describe different types of ad-hoc advisory bodies in your country
29. Who appoints ad-hoc advisory bodies in your government? (select all that apply)
Don't
know
The cabinet □ □ □ □ □ □
The relevant minister □ □ □ □ □ □
The parliament □ □ □ □ □ □
20
30. What are the motives for government to establish an ad-hoc advisory body? (select all that apply)
To create consensus on difficult reform issues

To provide forward-looking vision
To provide technical expertise on a specific issue
To ensure proper consultation
Don't know
Other, please specify:
31. Does your government have formal regulations regarding ad-hoc advisory bodies?
Note: These regulations can for example cover elements related to the mandate, duration, access to information,
etc. (see examples under Q32)
A. Yes
B. No
C. Don’t know
IF 31A, answer 32
32. For ad-hoc advisory bodies, which of the following are covered by the regulation:
Yes No Don't know

The mandate
□ □ □
The duration
□ □ □
The budget
□ □ □
The quality of the
advice □ □ □
The access to
information □ □ □
The instructions for

research or advice
(specifications of the
□ □ □
research questions,
methods etc.)
The procedures
concerning the
instalment of ad-hoc □ □ □
advisory bodies
The procedures
concerning the request □ □ □
for advice
21
Please provide any additional details or relevant links:
33. Who appoints the members of ad-hoc advisory bodies? (select all that apply)
 The legislative branch

 Executive branch collectively (council of ministries)
 Line Minister
 Prime Minister/President
 External body/head hunter
 Stakeholders in society
 Don't know
34. What are the professional backgrounds of ad-hoc advisory body members?
Don't
know
Non-governmental organisation (NGO) or □ □ □ □ □ □

union representatives
□ □ □ □ □ □

□ □ □ □ □ □
Other academic backgrounds □ □ □ □ □ □
Civil servants on secondment □ □ □ □ □ □
22
35. Could members of ad-hoc advisory bodies hold other offices in government?
 Prohibited by law
 Not allowed unless authorized by executive branch
 No prohibition for holding another office
 Don't know
 Other, please specify
36. Are there provisions for dismissal of ad-hoc advisory bodies’ members? (select all that apply)
 No provision for dismissal

 Only for non-policy reasons (e.g., incapability, or violation of law)
 For policy reasons at legislative branch's discretion
 At legislative branch's discretion
 For policy reasons at executive branch's discretion
 At executive branch’s discretion
 Don't know
 Other, please specify
37. Is there mandatory participation of government representatives in ad-hoc advisory bodies?
 Yes
 No
 Don't know
23
38. Do provisions to regulate the following situations exist for ad-hoc advisory bodies?
Yes No Don't know

Conflict of interest □ □ □
Acceptance of gifts by body
□ □ □
members
□ □ □
interest groups
□ □ □
lobbyist
Provide relevant additional details and relevant links:
39. How many ad-hoc advisory bodies does your government form on average on an annual basis?
A. 1-10
B. 11-20
C. 21-30
D. 31-50
E. More than 50
F. Don’t know
40. What is the average lifespan of an ad-hoc advisory body?

A. 1-4 weeks
B. 1-3 months
C. 4-12 months
D. 1- 2 year
E. 2-3 years
F. 3-4 years
G. 4 years or more
H. Don’t know
I. Other: please specify
24
41. Do ad-hoc advisory bodies receive a task description from government?

Government can describe the task of the commission in terms of the research question that should be answered,
the policy options that should be investigated, the research method that should be used, etc.
A. Yes
B. No
C. Don't know
IF 41A, answer 42
42. What elements are covered by the task description? (select all that apply)
 The research question on a specific policy issue
 The policy options that the advice should cover
 The research method that should be used
 Don't know
43. What are the roles of the ad-hoc advisory bodies in decision- and policy-making processes?
Don't
Always Often Sometimes Rarely Never N/A
Know
To provide analytical
information, gathering
information, expertise and facts □ □ □ □ □ □ □
to frame policy options for
decision makers (evidence)
To provide new perspectives,

strategic forward looking
perspectives including □ □ □ □ □ □ □
explorations of future policy
issues (strategic foresight)
To consult with stakeholders and

present their perspectives on □ □ □ □ □ □ □
policy choices (legitimacy)
25
To present alternative views in
the policy-making process and
□ □ □ □ □ □ □
make government reflect on their
choices (counter vailing power)
To provide (ex-post) reflections

□ □ □ □ □ □ □
and evaluations (evaluations)
Other, please specify: □ □ □ □ □ □ □
26
Glossary of terms used in the questionnaire
 Ad-hoc advisory bodies: An advisory body created to examine an issue for a specified period of time,
or deliver a specified result, and then dissolve. They exist on a temporary basis and are sometimes
known as ‘temporary advisory bodies’.
 Agency: An agency is a board, commission, tribunal or other organisation that is established by the
government and given responsibility to perform a public function (e.g. regulation, service delivery,
policy implementation) but operates at arm’s length to government. Agencies operate with some
degree of autonomy (i.e. with less hierarchy and political influence in daily operations and with more
managerial freedom) but the government maintains the primary power of appointment.
 Arm’s length: denotes a relationship between and advisory body and government whereby the
advisory body delivers a public service, is not a ministerial government department, and which
operates to a greater or lesser extent at a distance from the control of Ministers. The term can include
non-departmental public bodies, executive agencies, non-ministerial departments, public corporations,
etc.
 Central/federal government: includes all line ministries/departments in the executive branch of

government, including also cabinet or executive offices and executive agencies. It does not include
sub-national line ministries and departments. It excludes state-owned enterprises and public
corporations. While this limits the scope of the responses and will not capture the activities of sub-
national governments, it ensures that the data are comparable across all responding countries.
 Civil servant: an employee of the state, either permanent or on a long-term contract, who would
remain a state employee if the government changes.
 Conflict of interest: A conflict of interest involves a conflict between the public duty and the private
interest of a public official, in which the official’s private-capacity interest could improperly
influence the performance of their official duties and responsibilities. For example: when a member
of a political party is also a member of an advisory body, their own political self-interest can
influence the recommendations of the group. It also can refer to a conflict between different public
interests that are apparent at the same time, in that instance persons have different types of powers at
the same time.
 Commission: Are appointed by the government at the time to investigate a particular question or set
of interrelated questions, provide government with advice, and then dissolve. Mostly these
commissions are established on an ad-hoc and temporary basis. Mostly ‘committees’ have more
formal tasks with fixed rules than a commission, which is structured more loosely.
 Committee: Just like commissions, committees are appointed by the government at the time to
investigate a particular question or set of interrelated questions, provide government with advice, and
then dissolve. Mostly committees are established on an ad-hoc and temporary basis. Mostly a
committee has a more formal task with fixed rules than a commission, which is structured more
loosely.
 Council (with or without a secretariat): A group of experts at the head of a policy advisory body. An
example is the Dutch scientific council that consist of a council of nine professors that lead particular
advices. These professors are supported by a bureau of around 30 staff members. Councils are often
permanent (but can be ad-hoc) with a set time limit before requiring re-election or re-appointment. As
well, they tend to be more authoritative, addressing both middle- to long-term issues as well as
narrower topics. They can also strike committees to investigate various topics.
 Decision- and policy-making process: Commonly referred to as the ‘policy cycle’, proposed policy
initiatives go through several decision-making stages, from problem identification, to formulation,
implementation and evaluation. At each stage, a number of tools and processes inform and enable
these policy-making stages (e.g. budget, performance and accountability mechanisms) and must work
27
in tandem for policies to achieve their intended objectives. This process is referred to as a cycle
because evaluations are intended to identify new problems and begin a new policy cycle.
 Foresight advisory bodies: These policy advisory bodies have a specific task to perform strategic
foresight and to inform government on upcoming developments that will influence government
policies. They are created to provide advice on identifying and assessing future needs and capacities
to set priorities or stimulate dialogue on the subject or integrate results. Foresight advisory bodies
vary greatly in structure and subject matter, such as science and technology, transportation, business,
economy and other sectoral issues at both the national and global level. They are often composed of
an inclusive set of actors, including those from industry, non-governmental organisations and public
research institutions.
 Implementation: The processes and actions that need to be taken, once a new policy and/or law has
been adopted, to ensure that the policy or law is given concrete effect. Can also be called
operationalisation, reflecting the fact that policies have no effect unless and until they are made
operational.
 Mandate: Is the assignment of responsibility from one person or organisation to another person or
organisation.
 Minister: Political head of a ministry or department (in certain countries, the head of a
ministry/department may be called Secretary or Secretary of State, and minister may be more junior
in rank). Ministers are generally in charge of one or more ministries/departments, and have a portfolio
of responsibilities derived from the areas of responsibility covered by the ministry or ministries.
Some ministers do not head up a ministry/department, but are in charge of specific issues supported
by an office (“minister without portfolio”). In most parliamentary systems, ministers are drawn from
the legislature but keep their parliamentary seats. In most presidential systems, ministers are not
elected officials and are appointed by the President.
 Ministerial advisor: A person or group of people who help political leaders, ministers and heads of
government make informed strategic decisions, keep up with different stakeholders and accelerate
government responses. Unlike senior civil servants who also provide advice to leadership, ministerial
advisors are exempt from the requirement of political neutrality.
 Ministry: An organisation which forms part of the central core of the executive branch of government.
A ministry is responsible for the design and implementation of an area or sector of public policy and
administration (e.g. agriculture, education, economy, foreign affairs), in line with the government
programme and strategy. A ministry is also responsible for the direction of agencies under its
authority. In some countries, such as Australia, Norway, the United States and the United Kingdom,
ministries are called “departments.” Sub-national governments may also be organised into ministries.
A ministry has a delegated budget to exercise its responsibilities, under the authority and direction of
the finance ministry or equivalent organisation responsible for the budget in central government. The
term line ministry designates the majority of ministries, which exercise delegated, sectoral powers.
The finance ministry is not a line ministry.
 Legal status: Is the position held by an advisory body, in reference to the rest of the community of
government bodies. For example, an advisory body can be positioned as an agency, as a private
identity etc. This status is important because it provides the means for advisory bodies to attract the
right talents and perform distinguished research.
 Permanent advisory bodies: An advisory body that has been established to conduct research and
provide advice on a question or set of topics with a continued renewal of their mandate. These
advisory bodies can study anything from systemic to very narrow issues.
 Permanent advisory bodies with a board of directors or executives: Some advisory bodies do not
have a council, but a board of executives. For example, some research institutes have a board of
executives that function as the strategic management of the advisory body. This set-up differs from a
council structure in the sense that the members of the board of directors do not partake in the specific
advisory tasks.
28
 Permanent advisory bodies with a council: A group of experts form a council at the head of the
advisory body. An example is the Dutch scientific council that consist of a council of nine professors
that formulate particular advice. These professors are supported by a bureau of around 30 staff
members. The council can also consist of experts or other representatives.
 Permanent advisory bodies with a single head: An advisory body that has a single head that
manages the functioning of the policy advisory body.
 Planning/assessment advisory bodies: These policy advisory bodies have a specific task to perform
planning activities and assessments. These institutes are particularly established to perform checks,
evaluations and reflections on government policies.
 Policy: A term which does not exist in all languages and that, in some languages, may be
synonymous with politics. A public policy defines a course of action designed to meet a goal or
objective, respond to an issue or problem identified by the government as requiring action or reform.
It is implemented by a public body (ministry, agency, etc.), although elements may be delegated to
other bodies. Examples include a public policy to tackle climate change, educational reform, or
support for entrepreneurship. A public policy is, or should be, linked to the government programme
and its strategic planning. It is often given a formal framework through legislation and/or secondary
regulations, especially in countries with a system of civil law. It is given practical effect through a
defined course of action, programmes and activities. It is, as necessary, funded from the state budget.
A priority policy is a policy which matters more than others for the achievement of the government’s
strategic objectives. The responsibility for taking forward a public policy may rest with the relevant
line ministry, or, in the case of policies that cut across ministerial boundaries, may be shared by
relevant ministries.
 Policy advice: Policy advice is the means by which governments deliberately acquires, and passively
receives, advice on decisions and policies. Policy advice can be informative, objective or technical.
Policy advice’ is not only based on scientific knowledge, but can also be a result of the consultation
of stakeholders, a result of a lobby of interest groups or of practical experiences of professionals.
Policy advice therefore differs in the way it is produced, its content and its aim.
 Political adviser: A member of staff who is not a civil servant, appointed by the President, Prime
Minister or a Minister to assist them, and who would leave state employment if the government
changes.
 Policy advisory system: The organizational configuration of policy advisory actors and organizations
in a jurisdiction or a policy field. It consists of all advisory actors that provide government with
knowledge and advice.
 Public interest: Is the concern for the good order and functioning of the community and government
affairs, for the well-being of citizens. Public interest is commonly referred to as ‘for the common
good’. Broadly speaking, the work of government is supposed to support the public interest. This
applies to advisory bodies, as they function to provide advice to government to improve decision- and
policy making processes.
 Public research institutions: These institutes are mostly concerned with conduction research and
informing government and/or society. These institutes do not have a council, but are managed by a
board of directors. A Dutch example is the national institute for public health and environment, that
advices the ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport, The Ministry of Infrastructure and the
Environment and the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Agriculture and Innovation on various issues,
such as infectious diseases, customer safety and public health. Public research institutes are a
primary tool for governments to spur research and innovation by creating, discovering, using and
diffusing knowledge. Their structures, functions and performance vary widely according to the
mission and type, ranging from “blue sky” research to short-term market oriented projects. Other
roles can include education and training, technology transfer, the provision of major scientific
infrastructure, and the support of public policy. Their activities can help firms to expand their
capabilities and generate spill overs for the wider economy.
29
 Public think tanks: These institutes have a specific task to present alternative views to government.
The term refers to a wide range of non-profit research organizations which engage in public policy
analysis and research, and often advocate solutions. Some are strictly nonpartisan, researching policy
issues without regard to political outcomes, while others see one of their main functions as that of
providing intellectual support to politicians or parties. Financial support for these organizations can
come from several sources; including the government, advocacy organizations, and private businesses.
 Regulations: The diverse set of instruments by which governments set requirements on enterprises
and citizens. Regulation include all laws, formal and informal orders, subordinate rules,
administrative formalities and rules issued by non-governmental or self-regulatory bodies to whom
governments have delegated regulatory powers.
 Requested advice: This refers to advice which is being researched and produced as part of the
advisory body’s formal mandate. Often, formal mandates leave room for the advisory body to
conduct both requested and unrequested advice.
 State: Set of enduring institutions, usually given legitimacy in a constitution and related legal forms,
through which public power is distributed. In the social sciences, a sovereign state is a compulsory
political organisation with a centralised government that maintains a monopoly of the legitimate use
of force within a defined territory (Weber), and is internationally recognised as such (for example,
through membership of the United Nations).
 State Secretary: Administrative head of a ministry, i.e. a civil servant; may also be known as
Permanent Secretary, Chief Executive or (non-political) Deputy Minister. There is great variability in
the roles, responsibilities, place in the hierarchy and mode of appointment of state secretaries. Note
that in some countries the same term may be used for (political) junior ministers, and a variant
(Secretary of State) may be used to designate the senior minister in political charge of a ministry.
 Strategic planning: A tool for identifying short-, medium-, and long-term priorities and goals (e.g.
“improve education” or “achieve energy security”) and laying out a set of present and future
(collective) actions for achieving them.
 Transparency: An environment in which the objectives of policy, policy decisions and their rationale,
data and information are openly provided to the public in a comprehensible, accessible, and timely
manner.
 Unrequested advice: Results from independent research on topics of interest to the advisory body but
not directly requested by government. Often, the mandate for advisory bodies requires that they
produce a certain amount of requested advice while leaving room for research on unrequested topics.
30

Survey OECD Policy Advisory

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OECD 2016 SURVEY ON POLICY ADVISORY SYSTEMS

1. Objective of the survey

The Survey is divided in three parts:

1. Type, frequency of use and assessment of advisory bodies

2. The role of permanent advisory bodies

3. The role of ad-hoc advisory bodies

Permanent policy advisory bodies in the Netherlands

Ad-hoc and temporary policy advisory bodies in the Netherlands

2. Scope of the Survey

4. Guidelines to respond to the survey

The deadline for answering this questionnaire is Thursday 1 September 2016.

6. The research: a document study, survey and interviews

Phase for Countries to complete the Survey

Deadline for completing the survey

Interviews with Senior Officials

Results feeding into a section of the OECD policy

Contact information of the respondent(s)

Main contact email:

PART 1. TYPE, FREQUENCY AND ASSESSMENT OF ADVISORY BODIES

A) Agenda Shaping (problem identification)

Provide relevant additional details and any relevant links:

a. Ad-hoc advisory bodies □ □ □ □ □ □

f. Foresight advisory body □ □ □ □ □ □

g. Public think tank □ □ □ □ □ □

h. Other, please specify: □ □ □ □ □ □

Provide relevant additional details and any relevant links:

3. To which extent do the following monitor the implementation of policy?

a. Ad-hoc advisory bodies □ □ □ □ □ □

f. Foresight advisory body □ □ □ □ □ □

g. Public think tank □ □ □ □ □ □

h. Other, please specify: □ □ □ □ □ □

Provide relevant additional details and any relevant links:

a. Ad-hoc advisory bodies □ □ □ □ □ □

f. Foresight advisory body □ □ □ □ □ □

g. Public think tank □ □ □ □ □ □

h. Other, please specify: □ □ □ □ □ □

Provide relevant additional details and any relevant links:

a. Ad-hoc advisory bodies □ □ □ □ □

f. Foresight advisory body □ □ □ □ □

g. Public think tank □ □ □ □ □

h. Other, please specify: □ □ □ □ □

Provide relevant additional details and any relevant links:

a. Ad-hoc advisory bodies □ □ □ □ □ □

f. Foresight advisory body □ □ □ □ □ □

g. Public think tank □ □ □ □ □ □

h. Other, please specify: □ □ □ □ □ □

Provide relevant additional details and any relevant links:

a. Ad-hoc advisory bodies □ □ □ □ □

g. Public think tank □ □ □ □ □

h. Other, please specify: □ □ □ □ □

Provide relevant additional details and any relevant links:

- Advisory councils, such as councils for educational policies or scientific councils

8. Please list the permanent advisory bodies in the following table:

Please provide additional comments and any relevant links:

IF 9A, answer 10-11

10. Which of the following are covered by regulations?

Yes No Don't know

The budget of the

The quality of the

The instructions for

Please provide additional comments and any relevant links:

Yes No Don't know