AcTI Annual Report 2015

The Netherlands Academy of Technology and Innovation AcTI published its 2015 Annual Report.

The Netherlands Academy of Technology and Innovation aims to use its authoritative and widely-acknowledged position as an Academy of Engineering to contribute to vigorous social debate revolving around science, technology and innovation. Social debate that does justice to the different opinions and interests of the social and political communities, as well as to the available scientific and technical knowledge.

The Academy endeavours to improve the research and innovation climate in the Netherlands by acting as an independent sounding board and representing authorities in the field of technology and innovation. Members of the Academy manage to obtain grassroots support from their companies and learning institutes, even if the viewpoints of the Academy do not (always) represent grassroots interests.

Working method
From its members, the Academy selects working groups that prepare responses or viewpoints related to current topics. The Academy frequently develops its own visions and/or viewpoints in the field of science, technology and innovation. The Academy gladly discusses these with social and political trendsetters or policymakers.
The Academy primarily conveys its ideas, opinions and viewpoints via its individual membersand their networks

Cooperation
So that it can achieve its mission, the Academy maintains relations with relevant organisations in the Netherlands, as well as with European and international networks of Academies of Engineering Euro-CASE and CAETS. Thanks to these international umbrella organisations , the Academy members have access to technical sciences and innovation decision-makers in all global developed economies. This has allowed the Netherlands Academy of Technology and Innovation to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with the Chinese Academy of Engineering in 2014.

Innovation Conferences
Once a year, the Academy prominently goes public by organising the AcTI Innovation Conference. Chapter 2 contains further information about the 2015 Innovation Conference, Engineering Smart Cities of the Future, which was held at the Delft University of Technology in conjunction with the 2015 Annual Conference of Euro-CASE, the European Council of Academies of Applied Sciences, Technologies and Engineering.

The 2015 Annual Report can be downloaded here.