What arrangements were made by the Belgium government to tackle the pr...
(i) Equal number of ministers for both the groups : The Belgian Constitution prescribes that the number of Dutch and French speaking ministers shall be equal in the central government. Some special laws require the support of majority of members from each linguistic group. Thus, no single community can take decisions unilaterally.
(ii) More powers to state governments : Under the proper power sharing arrangement, many powers of the central government were given to state governments for the two regions of the country. The state governments were not subordinate to the central government.
(iii) Equal representation at the state and the central level : A separate government has been set up at Brussels in which both the communities have equal representation.
(iv) Formation of community government : Apart from the central and the state government, there is a third kind of government, i.e., ‘community government’. This ‘community government’ is elected by the people belonging to one language community – Dutch, French and German speaking no matter where they live. This government has the powers regarding cultural, educational and language related issues.
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What arrangements were made by the Belgium government to tackle the pr...
Government Arrangements to Tackle Ethnic Diversity in Belgium
- Creation of Federal State: The Belgium government restructured the country into a federal state consisting of three regions (Flanders, Wallonia, and Brussels) and three linguistic communities (Dutch, French, and German) to accommodate the diverse ethnic groups.
- Devolution of Power: The government devolved certain powers to the regions and communities, allowing them to have control over cultural, educational, and some economic matters.
- Formation of Community Governments: Community governments were established to cater to the specific needs and interests of each linguistic community, fostering a sense of autonomy and representation.
- Integration Policies: Belgium implemented integration policies to promote social cohesion and mutual respect among different ethnic groups, encouraging multiculturalism and diversity.
- Education Initiatives: The government introduced educational programs to teach tolerance, diversity, and mutual understanding in schools, aiming to create a more inclusive society.
- Anti-Discrimination Laws: Belgium enacted laws against discrimination based on ethnicity, race, or language, ensuring equal rights and opportunities for all citizens.
- Dialogue and Consultation: The government facilitated dialogue and consultation between different ethnic communities to address issues, build trust, and promote peaceful coexistence.
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