The Itinera Institute is a Brussels-based independent think-tank

Think tank

A think tank is an organization that conducts research and engages in advocacy in areas such as social policy, political strategy, economics, military, and technology issues. Most think tanks are non-profit organizations, which some countries such as the United States and Canada provide with tax...

 that undertakes research that “identifies and promotes roads for policy reform towards sustained economic growth

Economic growth

In economics, economic growth is defined as the increasing capacity of the economy to satisfy the wants of goods and services of the members of society. Economic growth is enabled by increases in productivity, which lowers the inputs for a given amount of output. Lowered costs increase demand...

 and social protection

Social protection

Social protection, as defined by the United Nations Research Institute For Social Development, is concerned with preventing, managing, and overcoming situations that adversely affect people’s well being...

, for Belgium and its regions.” It was founded in 2006 by Professor Marc De Vos.

Scholars

As of mid 2009, Itinera Institute resident scholars include Marc De Vos (Director), Ivan Van de Cloot, Johan Albrecht, Jean Hindriks and François Daue. Many other experts and specialists collaborate regularly on Itinera’s reports and publications.

Themes & Publications

Itinera has nine main research programs including:

• Ageing and Pensions
• Economy
• Education & Innovation
• Employment
• Energy & Environment
• Government & Taxation
• Healthcare
• Migration & Integration
• Poverty & Inequality

Some important reports have been published on those fields such as “The future of healthcare: Diagnostic and remedies”, “From job security

Job security

Job security is the probability that an individual will keep his or her job; a job with a high level of job security is such that a person with the job would have a small chance of becoming unemployed.-Factors affecting job security:...

 to employment security on the Belgian labour market” and “Beyond Copernicus: From confusion to consensus?”

Next to the reports, Itinera regularly published short papers on Belgian economic and social challenges.

Membership

Itinera is a fully independent institute and therefore not financed by political parties, lobby groups

Lobbying

Lobbying is the act of attempting to influence decisions made by officials in the government, most often legislators or members of regulatory agencies. Lobbying is done by various people or groups, from private-sector individuals or corporations, fellow legislators or government officials, or...

or government bodies. Its only revenue sources come from private donators.