Bureau de Helling aims to influence public debate on issues such as greening the economy, labour market reform and education. We act as a broker between all kinds of networks and the green party, mobilizing intellectual talent for the party. As a think tank we contribute to debates inside as well as outside of the party, contributing to the societal embedding of the green political and ideological programme.

Bureau de Helling is a small organisation with about eight salaried staffmembers and a modest budget. This budget is partly provided for by government subsidies, the amount of which is determined by the number of seats GroenLinks holds in parliament, and partly by financial support from the party directly. We are however an independent organisation and determine our own priorities and policies.

The issues we currently work on include 'libertarian paternalism', 'political geography', 'green growth and degrowth' and 'democratization and populism'. Bureau de Helling publishes books, brochures, reports, articles etc. Each year several conferences and seminars on various topics are held. We also work with the GroenLinks Academy to organize lectures series and courses, such as a course on the intellectual history of the green party.

Generally, the publications and activities of Bureau de Helling are in Dutch. Occasionally we present books, lectures or articles in English. A recent example is the volume 'Populism in Europe', edited by Erica Meijers and published by Planet Verlag/European Green Foundation.

Quarterly journal De Helling

De Helling is the quarterly journal of Bureau de Helling. The journal has an independent editorial staff and reaches a public beyond the green party with articles on left-wing politics in the widest sense of the term. Recent special issues include democratization, freedom of religion, degrowth, in praise of folly and the responsibility to protect.

Partners

There is ample cooperation with academic organizations and persons, social organizations and the world of public administration. International partners include the Green European Foundation, the Heinrich Böll Stiftung, Oikos and Etopia.