Belgium/ 3. Competence, decision-making and administration  

3.3 Inter-ministerial or intergovernmental co-operation

Inter-ministerial co-operation, whether at the federal, regional or community level, takes place between ministers in the following fields that have an impact on cultural policy: foreign affairs, education, employment, environment, media, mobility, tourism, etc. In 2004 an "inter-ministerial conference" was set up for "science policy and culture". These conferences do not have decisive power, but are facilitators for consultation and dialogue between the different levels of government within the federal state.

Official inter-community co-operation takes place between the French Community and the German-speaking Community, the French Community and the French Community Commission in Brussels, and between the Flemish Community and the German-speaking Community. At present, there is no co-operation agreement between the Flemish and French-speaking Communities.

Flemish Community

The Flemish government acts as a Board of Governors for inter-ministerial co-operation. In principle, decisions are taken by mutual agreement between ministries.

Cooperation between administrators of different policy domains happens on different levels on a day-to-day basis. Concrete dossiers are prepared in so called "inter-cabinet teams" before they are discussed in the Flemish government; the leading administrators of the Department CJSM, the Agency Arts and Cultural Heritage, the Flemish Department of Foreign Affairs, Flanders Investment and Trade and Tourism Flanders consult each other on a regular basis and protocols have been developed between the policy domains of heritage, culture and education. These protocols constitute the frame for collaboration between the different domains and are updated on a yearly basis.   

French Community

In 2004, the government of the French Community decided to implement a Strategic Plan for the coordination of policies related to the promotion of equal opportunities for men and women, for inter-culture, and for social inclusion. These three inter-sectorial, transversal priorities thereby concern the full range of its competencies: culture, education, sport, youth care, social affairs and health prevention.

In a first phase, which is currently under way, an inventory is conducted. This inventory lists, for each sector and for each priority, the status of the concerned legislations, the history of the issue, the general objectives guiding the action, ongoing projects, the related budget, the evaluation, and the perspectives (prospects).

German-speaking Community

The German-speaking Community has concluded co-operation agreements with the French Community and with the Flemish Community, as well as with the Walloon Region and the Province of Liège. These agreements govern the cooperation of the partners in all corresponding areas of responsibility (cultural affairs, personal / social matters, teaching / training, employment). Special agreements have been signed with the French Community, including for cultural and audiovisual matters.

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