31% more civic integration contracts in 2010

In 2010, there were 31% more Civic integration Flanders has a policy for civic integration. This is a guided and targeted form of social integration for people of foreign origin. The intention is that the newcomers are provided with a valuable place in society by including them instead of excluding them. Civic integration, which includes language lessons and civic integration courses, was brought about by the participation of the N-VA in the Flemish Government since 2004 and the appointment of a Minister for Civic Integration. civic integration contracts signed than in 2009, and in absolute terms this amounts to 18,608 contracts. These figures were released by the Flemish Minister for Civic Integration, Geert Bourgeois (N-VA). The increase is attributable to higher inflows and the better identification of the civic integration target group. The figures stated here only concern people with a valid residence permit. According to minister Bourgeois, “The improved selection method enables us to have a better understanding of the person: his or her nationality, level of motivation, and reason for being in Belgium. After all, the reason why someone is here indicates what their residence status is and this makes it easier to determine whether he or she is part of the civic integration target group.” Strikingly, 32% of all persons who participated in a civic integration programme in Brussels and Flanders did so on a voluntary basis. This implies that they signed a civic integration contract lasting one year which includes Dutch-language courses, an educational package dealing with social orientation and assistance in finding employment.