When one pillar takes precedence, balance is lost. And that’s a luxury we can no longer afford.” We are living in a time of tipping points. Climate change, inequality, and geopolitical tensions all point to one thing: economic growth alone is no longer enough. What we need is a broader compass—one that also points toward justice, sustainability, and the world of tomorrow. That compass is called broad prosperity. At the Social and Economic Council of the Netherlands (SER), broad prosperity is not a trend, but the foundation of their work. We spoke with Jacqueline Prins, Secretary General of the SER and a tireless advocate for a society rich in opportunity, mutual care, and future readiness.
What does broad prosperity mean to you personally?
“To me, broad prosperity is the framework that holds everything together. At the SER, we look at the balance between the economy, ecology, and social justice—not just here and now, but also later and elsewhere. Without economic growth, we can’t maintain our public services. But growth without justice and sustainability is a dead end.”
Jacqueline’s motivation isn’t purely professional. As former Director of Emancipation and current board member at Stichting Leergeld, she sees up close how vital it is that everyone can participate. “Giving children who grow up in poverty a fair chance—that hits me right in the heart.”
Isn’t it incredibly complex to balance all those interests?
“Absolutely. Some frameworks go well beyond the three main pillars and distinguish more than twenty dimensions of broad prosperity. It’s not easy, but that’s precisely why it’s so important to work with a concept like this. It forces you to make your trade-offs explicit. Without it, you often choose implicitly—and the consequences remain hidden.”
Is the Netherlands a frontrunner?
“We’re not the only ones working on this, broad prosperity is part of a global conversation (think SDGs, Beyond GDP). But the Netherlands is increasingly embedding the idea in both policy and practice: in the CBS monitor, the national budget, and the Council of State.”
Still, it’s especially within the SER that broad prosperity has been the standard for decades. “We’ve been working with it for thirty years now. Not as a side note, but as a foundation. And with a chair who’s also a professor of Broad Prosperity, we’re able to enrich and substantiate the concept from every angle.”
But can we truly become a frontrunner?
“Absolutely. We have the building blocks: a social system that supports people, and a business sector that’s increasingly focused on sustainable growth. But broad prosperity must be broadly embraced—also politically. It can’t be a partisan stance; it needs to be a societal anchor we can all rely on. Only then can we truly take the lead.”
What role does the SER play?
“The SER is the primary advisory body on socio-economic policy for the government and parliament. Our strength lies in the broad support we build through collaboration between employers, employees—including representatives of the self-employed—and Crown-appointed members. We also involve young people and civil society organizations. Politics often focuses on the short term; we focus on what matters later and elsewhere—a long-term perspective.”
That’s exactly why the SER is able to bring fundamental choices to the table. One concrete example is the International Responsible Business Conduct agreements, where Dutch companies commit to improving labor conditions, for example with their suppliers in the natural stone industry in India. “That’s broad prosperity in action.”
Jacqueline is Secretary General of the Social and Economic Council (SER). With a background in Dutch law and strategic management, she is an experienced public executive and advocate for a just, sustainable society. She previously worked at several ministries and holds various additional public and advisory roles.
What role do entrepreneurs play in achieving broad prosperity?
“Without entrepreneurs, there can be no broad prosperity. They create jobs, drive economic growth, and can make a real difference in sustainability and inclusion. And most of the businesses I speak with are deeply aware of their social responsibility and are intrinsically motivated to do right by their people and society. Sustainability and inclusion are no longer buzzwords—they’re essential to being viable and future-proof.”
And what about technology? Opportunity or risk?
“Innovation and technology are key drivers of broad prosperity. Take the energy transition—technology has made solar panels accessible to everyone. Or look at AI in healthcare: it can ease the burden on medical staff. At the same time, we must use it responsibly, because AI can also amplify existing inequalities. And let’s not forget the ecological impact of technology, such as energy-intensive data centers. Everything comes at a cost—the challenge is finding the right balance.”
Finally: what would you like to leave readers with?
“Broad prosperity is too important to leave solely to governments or businesses. It requires something from all of us—from you, from me. It’s in the choices we make every day: what you buy, how you travel, who you choose to collaborate with.
And above all: dare to look beyond your own bubble. Don’t just care about what happens in your backyard, but also about people on the Caribbean part of the Kingdom and across the world—where our choices and consumption also have impact.
That sense of connectedness is what makes broad prosperity both tangible and urgent. It takes engagement, curiosity, and sometimes a bit of courage. But it also gives something back: connection, perspective, a future. So let’s roll up our sleeves—and build a society where everyone can take part. Because the potential to make the world better? It’s right here.”
