Building Trust Through Evidence-Based Policy Consulting Ahead of 2024 German State Elections

A recent public event titled "Evidenzbasierte Politikberatung: Herausforderungen und Lösungen" has shed light on the crucial role of evidence-based policy consulting in the context of the upcoming 2024 state elections in Germany. The forum emphasized fostering a constructive exchange between science and politics to enhance trust in both the political process and society at large.

The event featured a keynote address from PD Dr. Mirko Titze, head of the Center for Evidence-Based Policy Consulting at the Leibniz Institute for Economic Research in Halle. Following this, a distinguished panel including Dr. Naomi Shulman, head of the Public Safety Research Forum, and Prof. Dr. Andreas Beelmann, a founding member of KomRex and specialist in research synthesis and evaluation, discussed the opportunities, challenges, and future perspectives of integrating scientific research into policy-making.

An open Fishbowl discussion involving political guests further explored the importance of non-partisan scientific findings in strengthening political trust and societal cohesion. This dialogue underscored the delicate balance between scientific evidence and political decision-making ahead of the elections.

The forum took place against a backdrop of rapid digital transformation impacting society, economy, and politics, highlighting additional challenges for democratic processes and governance. As Europe faces pressures from global digital powers, the intersections of digital policy and evidence-based consulting become increasingly significant.

Overall, the event reinforced the necessity of transparent, research-based advice to support informed political decisions that resonate with the public, thereby aiming to solidify citizens' confidence in democratic institutions.