The City of Brussels is organising a series of ten citizens' meetings. By inviting residents to what they call a "board meeting," locals and expats alike have the opportunity to discuss their neighbourhood priorities directly with local elected officials.
The first meeting took place in packed De Linde community centre in the city's Haren district at the end of April. Nine more will be held in each district of the City of Brussels municipality (Brussels 1000).
"These discussion evenings are the first moment for most Brussels residents to meet the new College of Councillors," said Frederik Ceulemans (Open VLD), Brussels City councillor for Citizen Participation. "But also for us, this is the ideal opportunity to present the City of Brussels' plans for each district and to be able to engage in a conversation about the future of our city."
Ceulemans welcomed the attendees, followed by a presentation of the majority agreement by City of Brussels Mayor Philippe Close (PS). The councillors then explained in detail concrete action points for the city and the respective neighbourhood.
Through the eyes of the citizens
With citizens' trust in government and politics under pressure, the city wants to use this series of meetings to strengthen its democracy and the role of Brussels residents based on transparency, accountability and efficiency. Increasing that trust starts with direct contact.
"We must learn to look more through the eye of the citizen," said Ceulemans. "This is the ideal opportunity to present the city plans for each city district and, more importantly, to encourage connection, discussion and feedback."
Residents can submit questions and comments before and during the citizen meetings via the online form. "This input forms the basis for a participatory approach in which we determine the course of action together," he added.
Credit: Frederik Ceulemans' office
Within this framework, the city commits to drafting a Citizens' Pact from the beginning of the legislature. This pact clearly defines the City's commitments to its citizens in terms of information, effective participation, representation, association and service delivery.
"Trust arises when citizens know where they stand, both politically and administratively," said Ceulemans. "That is also the intention of the Citizens' Pact: it must become a new contract with all Brussels citizens, based on clarity."
He added that a participation process is not there to prove people right, but to harness insights and experience from Brussels residents who have a strong connection with their neighbourhood.
Meetings will take place every one to two weeks, each time in a different district of the City of Brussels. No meetings are planned during the summer holidays, but they will resume in September.
The next one will take place in Neder-Over-Heembeek on Tuesday 13 May, in Laeken-Nord on 20 May, in the European district on 27 May, in Laeken-South on 3 June, in the North district on 12 June and in the Dansaert-Anneessens district on 19 June.
After the summer, meetings will follow in the Quartier des Libertés neighbourhood on 9 September, in the Marolles on 25 September and in the Louise-Sablon neighbourhood on 7 October.
Brussels' cultural landscape
In the same vein, Ceulemans is asking Brussels residents to help build the city's cultural policy with a major cultural survey called 'Shout Out BXL'. Through the extensive online survey, he wants to gain insight into the needs and wishes of culture lovers as well as organisers, associations and artists.
"The initiative stands for a new look at the Brussels cultural landscape. We break free from pigeonholes and address all Brussels residents with the question of how the socio-cultural base can serve as an engine for free expression, emancipation and cultural development," he said. "This survey is the way to invite all Brussels residents to help build our cultural policy plan."
Ceulemans will take a "cultural cart" to five sites to talk to people about culture. Additionally, people can complete a bilingual online survey until 5 June.
"Not everyone can participate in cultural life in the way they would like. With this cultural cart, the 'Babbeleir', we reach out to Brussels residents to highlight the visibility and recognition of cultural participation," he said. The cultural cart goes out to hear the opinions of its residents. People can complete the survey on the spot and engage in conversation about culture.
The bilingual survey 'Shout Out Brussels' can be accessed here.
