The Dutch government invests a lot of time, money and energy in development cooperation. However, the effectiveness of these efforts is hindered by a lack of coordination, weak policies, a suboptimal government apparatus, and limited continuity in political, policy and managerial terms. In 2008 the DPRN Task Force initiated a three year process to discuss alternatives to the fragmented structure of Dutch development cooperation. The idea behind this debate is that development cooperation would be more effective when based on a clear and comprehensive strategy, hence the title ‘structure follows strategy’.

In September 2009 the DPRN Taskforce published the so-called PROVO document, which underlines the need to shift from development cooperation to international cooperation and to position the Netherlands more strategically. It also argues in favour of better integration of the Dutch business and knowledge sectors into international cooperation. Finally, the PROVO document proposes the setting up of an independent, non-political and market-oriented project office or clearing house that is independent of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

In July 2010, DPRN published a paper reflecting on the organisation and development of a future knowledge agenda for global development based on interviews with 17 professors in development studies.

The discussion about the future knowledge agenda and infrastructure for international cooperation will be continued in cooperation with NWO/WOTRO and the MDG-Profs platform. These organisations are going to organise a conference on how to draw up a coherent and strategic knowledge and research agenda for global sustainable development in May/June 2011.