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The Minority Forum known as the “Minderheid Forum” in Dutch celebrated a decade (10years) of its existence at C-Mine Genk on 30.10.2010.
The Minority Forum plays an important role in representing the “underrepresented.” It is regarded as the voice of the minorities because it speaks for those ethnic minorities who can’t speak for themselves by representing them in all sectors of the local society. It ensures that the voices of the local socio-cultural ethnic minorities are heard and their views taken into account by policy makers when decisions are made that affect their welfare. Its major objective is to provide a platform for promoting dialogue and co-operation on all issues pertaining the general well-being of all minority communities living in Belgium. FAAB is one of the socio-cultural federations that is affiliated and subscribes to the principles and ideals of the forum of the minorities.
The day was well organized, free buses had been provided in all the major cities such as Antwerp, Brussels, Gent and Oostende to convey members, and all those who sympathize and support what the minority forums stand for to C-mine Genk, where the day activities were to take place. There were more than twenty workshops to choose from. These workshops dealt with all the major issues affecting the minorities in Belgium such as: education, health, poverty, integration, discrimination, employment , just to name a few.
The open forum day kick started with a big breakfast that was served in the mine hall . Everybody was warmly welcomed on arrival with a free gift bag/package bearing the day’s programme, writing materials, and different sorts of information in the form of flyers, folders, booklets, etc. While enjoying breakfast and lunch in the hall participants were treated to an exhibition dipicting pioneers of ethnic minorities hailing from different countries such as Congo, Ghana, Morocco,Nigeria,Turkey, Spain etc. This exhibition is called: “Our Past, Our Future", very interesting! This exhibition is still going on and can be seen at the Genk City library from November 6,2010 to January 8, 2011
After breakfast participants dispersed to attend the workshops of their choice of the morning session, other participants went on a guided tour of the city. At 12.30,participants were treated to a delicious lunch until 13.30 when they had to once more attend workshop sessions of their choice scheduled for the afternoon.
At 16.30,all participants converged in the big cinema hall for a summary of the day’s discussions based on what transpired during the plenary sessions. Through the moderator and selected representatives a number of issues that affect the welfare of ethnic minorities were brought forward to the policy makers to make their comments on their observations and give their point of view. That went well.
In closing the president and director of the “Minderheden Forum” made their closing remarks and proposed the passing of important, very interesting resolutions. A number of these resolutions were unanimously passed by the house as means of consolidating some of the important points that have always emerged during such platform discussions ( You can read about these resolutions from the website of the minderheden forum ) They may also be available on request.
Most importantly, The Migrant Community known as “Allochtone Gemeenchaap” was founded on that day and was publicly declared and approved by the participants. The birth of this community, apart from celebrating the10 years of existence of the forum, marked this day as an important one in the history of all the ethnic minorities of Belgium.
To crown it all, the day ended in style with a grand reception which enabled participants to socialize freely with friends and new acquaintances, thus broadening their network for future partnerships.
It was indeed a great day to remember for long time as immigrants who were there to witness all!
Check our photo gallery for more pictures
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