Ambition

A promising youth for every child. That's the aim of the Netherlands Youth Institute. The Netherlands Youth Institute owns and shares knowledge on what works to boost and to hinder a favourable childhood. We want all children to have the opportunity to develop to their full potential and to become resilient, active and independent adults. That's our ambition, that's what we aim for.

What do we stand for?

Our point of departure is to improve the lives of children, young people and their parents and other caretakers. Many people and services work towards this goal. Using appropriate knowledge is crucially important. The Netherlands Youth Institute is a national knowledge centre collecting, enriching, explaining and sharing topical knowledge. We call attention to knowledge and assist in its implementation. That's our mission, that's what we stand for.

How we deal with knowledge

To the Netherlands Youth Institute knowledge means to understand what works to allow children to grow up in the most healthy, safe and favourable circumstances. This encompasses local, regional, national and international knowledge. Knowledge is made and applied in connection with others. Parents, children and young people have experiential knowledge. Professionals have practical experience, academics have scientific knowledge. At the Netherlands Youth Institute we connect this knowledge. Not on our own, but together with everyone involved.

This is how we operate

At the Netherlands Youth Institute we know what is going on in the field of youth (policy and practice). We have an eye for the dilemmas encountered by professionals, policy makers and governors, as well as those of parents, other caretakers, children and young people. Together we search for better solutions to current questions and developments. We learn from outcomes and results: learning together to do what works.

We make sure that our knowledge on growing up is up-to-date and easily accessible and applicable for everyone. Including the audience at large. We contribute to the public debate regarding knowledge on growing up and submit topics to the public agenda. That's our strategy, that's how we work.

This is how you recognise us

The Netherlands Youth Institute is an independent knowledge centre on growing up. We have a public duty and objectively study what really works. The professionals working at the Netherlands Youth Institute are dedicated and sincerely wish to make a difference in the lives of children, young people and their parents and other caretakers. We work together with all parties involved in the lives of children and young people. Professionals, policy makers, governors, volunteers and not least young people and their parents. Independent, involved and together with others. These are the three key values of the Netherlands Youth Institute – that's how you can identify us.