Sven Gatz plans new citizens' cabinet on Brussels

Sven Gatz, the minister representing Brussels’ interests in the government of Flanders, plans a new citizens’ cabinet focused on the capital, following similar successful initiatives on youth and culture policy. This time the citizens’ cabinet is being organised with his Wallonian counterpart, Rachid Madrane.

The latest cabinet will look at questions relating to the capital, asking participants how the reputation of Brussels can be improved – in the rest of the country as well as in the eyes of the world. Like the others, the project begins with a web forum, which will become available in January. On the forum, anyone can raise and discuss questions relating to Brussels.

That will last until April, when the 150 most active participants will be brought together in person. In previous citizens’ cabinets, the web portion saw more than 1,000 participants.

“Brussels and Flanders are facing a number of community challenges in these uncertain times,” Gatz said. “I want to use the citizens’ cabinet to try to improve mutual understanding between the people of Flanders and those of the capital.”

“The citizens’ cabinet gives us the possibility to develop a shared and common vision for Brussels,” said Madrane, for whom this is the first experience with a citizens’ cabinet. “The citizens’ cabinet is an innovative and democratic way to involve citizens from every corner of the city.”

Photo: Last year’s citizens’ cabinet on culture policy. Courtesy office of Sven Gatz