How do we organise societies to be open, fair and resilient in a rapidly changing world?

The world is changing. Open societies are under pressure worldwide. Democracies are being challenged, polarisation, conflicts and geopolitical tensions are on the rise, inequality is growing, digital technology is changing the way we live and work, and the climate and biodiversity crises call for far-reaching decisions. Many people are wondering how we can preserve freedom, security, well-being and justice in an increasingly complex world. How should society change with it?

Open societies don't happen by themselves. They are shaped every day by the choices we make, the rules and public values we share and the organisations we build together. This concerns democracy and the rule of law, but also employment, education, healthcare, digital technology, security, neighbourhoods, businesses and citizens’ initiatives. Together, they form the structures that determine whether people can participate, trust one another and are given opportunities. These structures (also referred to as institutions), which shape the way we organise our society, determine how open a society is and how well it can cope with change. Institutions for Open Societies (IOS) brings together researchers, students and civil society partners to understand how societies function and to help build fairer, more democratic and future-proof ways of living together. Read more about IOS. 

Open societies are never finished. They require continuous reflection, renewal and collaboration.

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Institutions for Open Societies is one of the four interdisciplinary research areas of expertise of Utrecht University. The other themes are Dynamics of Youth, Life Sciences and Pathways to Sustainability.