What has happened to compulsory civic integration in Brussels?

The introduction of compulsory 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 in Brussels has been taking a very long time. The initial start date was scheduled for 1 January 2020, but almost a year and a half later and more than four years after the approval of the ordinance in the Brussels Parliament, there are still no compulsory civic integration programmes in Brussels. “When will competent Brussels minister Maron fulfil his part of the agreements made,” wonders Flemish MP Annabel Tavernier.

Flanders has had a compulsory civic integration programme for newcomers since 2004. At the end of the previous legislative term, the Flemish Community, the French Community Commission (COCOF) and the Common Community Commission (COCOM) concluded a cooperation agreement to make civic integration compulsory in Brussels as well. After the previous deadlines of 1 January 2020 and 1 January 2021 were not met, the start of compulsory civic integration continues to be postponed, without a new concrete starting date.

Urgency completely lacking

At the end of last year, Minister Maron said he was aiming for the summer of 2021 to put compulsory civic integration into effect, Annabel Tavernier says. “But it doesn’t even seem like it will be ‘third time lucky’. The Brussels IT tool, designed to enable the municipalities to detect the target group and to follow up the routes administratively, will not be ready until the autumn. The delivery of this IT tool is a necessary condition for the start of compulsory civic integration. We in the N-VA are very concerned that delay will gradually turn into postponement. Our Brussels partners completely lack the urgency to realise this compulsory civic integration as soon as possible.”

What is Minister Maron still waiting for?

Flanders has been ready for a while and has to wait with angelic patience, Annabel Tavernier emphasises. “In answer to a written question, Flemish Minister for Integration Somers reaffirmed that Flanders has made all the necessary preparations to take up its commitments and, in addition, is supporting its Brussels partners to do the same. It is now up to Minister Maron to put compulsory civic integration into practice as soon as possible. What is he waiting for?!”

Need for greater social cohesion in Brussels

Brussels Minister Maron is not doing the inhabitants and newcomers of our capital any favours with these games, Annabel Tavernier says. “Quite the contrary. A cosmopolitan city such as Brussels has everything to gain from putting newcomers on their way to self-reliance and having a place in our urban society as quickly as possible. Attention to a shared foundation of norms and values through a quality civic integration programme can only contribute to greater social cohesion in our capital.”