The Wiardi Beckman Stichting (WBS), the scientific bureau of the Dutch social democratic party Partij van de Arbeid (PvdA), functions as the linking pin between the scientific community and the Dutch social democracy. By studying and analysing she contributes to the renewal of the programs and the policies of the PvdA and is a refuge for debate on the course of the social democracy.
Signalling societal questions, analysing those from a long-term perspective and social democratic persuasion and advising about those, this is – in short – the mission of the Wiardi Beckman Stichting. In this way the WBS contributes to the program and policy of the PvdA.

Activities
The WBS consists of a small staff of paid employees. For an important part she relies on a broad network of people. There is cooperation with thirds from the world of science, societal organisations and public administration. The WBS carries out her mission in various ways. She organises seminars and conferences; supports a number of regular working groups and discussion groups and publishes books, reports and other publications. Two regular publications are the monthly magazine Socialisme & Democratie (Socialism & Democracy) and the WBS Jaarboek (WBS Yearbook). At the University of Amsterdam the WBS established the Dr. J.M. den Uyl-chair.

Independent position
The Wiardi Beckman Stichting is independent from exiting policies and policy makers. Though this does not exclude supporting work for the PvdA – like writing discussion notes and advising the members of the parliamentary group and the party board. The WBS receives government subsidies, which is linked to the number of seats the PvdA has in parliament, and financial support of the PvdA herself. Next to that, a lot of individual member of the PvdA support the WBS.