RatSWD Christmas wishes

The German Data Forum (Rat für Sozial- und Wirtschaftsdaten, RatSWD) can look back on an eventful 2023. In March, the 9th Conference for Social and Economic Data (9|KSWD) took place under the motto Data. Policy. Future successfully despite strike-related challenges. After several years of the pandemic, this conference was particularly meaningful and the exchange with colleagues was even more valuable than in previous years. As usual, the 9|KSWD heralded the start of the new, now 8th appointment period of the Council with the announcement of the election results. We would like to take this opportunity to once again thank all former and current Council members for their commitment.

Last year also saw the end of the 7th appointment period of the RatSWD, which was traditionally accompanied by the publication of various outputs, which were published in the RatSWD Output Series. Another major milestone was the extensive reorganisation of the joint RatSWD and KonsortSWD website, which went online in September.

The political work of the RatSWD Forum also played an important role last year. Everyone is talking about the Research Data Act. With a statement and a current position paper, the RatSWD has been heavily involved in the debate surrounding this legislative proposal by the German government. Current developments show that this topic is by no means closed and will continue to be a central focus of the RatSWD’s work in the coming year.

With the start of the 8th appointment period, the RatSWD is expanding its range of topics. You can look forward to finding out more about the Council’s priorities for the coming years at the start of the new year. We are also particularly pleased that the RatSWD will be celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2024.

We wish you peaceful holidays and we look forward to an equally successful 2024!