This recommendation was formulated during a study visit of a Moldovan delegation to Madrid, the purpose of which was to study the mechanisms through which Spain integrates academic expertise into the process of developing public policies.
According to the National Institute for Economic Research of the Republic of Moldova, the introduction of academic advisors in ministries will contribute to evidence-based decision-making, improve the quality of sectoral strategies and increase administrative efficiency.
Representatives of the academic and research environment note that the implementation of such a pilot mechanism will strengthen cooperation between public institutions and the scientific community, facilitate the transfer of knowledge to the authorities and allow Moldova to approach the best European practices in the field of “science for policy”.
The Spanish model presented to the delegation includes a functioning network of scientific advisors coordinated by the Spanish National Office for Scientific Advice (ONAC). It provides ongoing support to ministries and Parliament in the decision-making process. These professionals ensure that scientific evidence is translated into legislative proposals, sector development strategies and impact assessments.
In total, Spain has 22 scientific advisors in different ministries. Their profiles include solid academic experience, scientific advisory skills and relevance to the needs of each department. The European Commission has recognized Spain’s system of scientific advice to public authorities as “exceptional.” As a result, Spain has led an EU project to introduce a similar concept in six other countries: Austria, Cyprus, France, Ireland, Poland and Portugal.
Earlier, the president of the Academy of Sciences of Moldova, Ion Tighineanu, said that the country’s leadership should make decisions based on scientific data, as the level of public confidence in the authorities depends on it. He also called on the authorities to help keep young scientists in the country.
