Diversity is a Reality

Since the start of the new regional governments of Flanders & Wallonia and the Federal Government the motto of Green has been: It Can Be Different. (Het kan anders). This is because the doomsday picture that the ultra-conservative government continues to paint gives nobody any pleasure. And this is not about saying it as it is. Government builds hope, gives people confidence and makes them believe in themselves rather than sell them depressing and intimidating stories. Things aren’t as bad as they make it look. I believe firmly in the role of public service in giving people perspectives, allowing them some breathing space.

The citizen movement ‘Hart boven Hard’ was founded on exactly these lines just after the summer of 2014 to draw attention to the plight of the common man, which obviously the newly formed regional and Federal Governments would rather not talk about. I know this firsthand as Councillor, of which social policy, the economy and minority rights are part of my portfolio. The individuals who are affected by these austerity measures share the same public transport with me, buy from the same corner shop as myself, are loyal clients of the budget shops, secondhand shops… as myself. We run into each other every day. I feel their pains and sufferings because we are in it together. Above all, as municipal legislators, we are often the ones left locally to clean up the mess made in Brussels by these disproportionate austerity measures.

This is why a Big Parade is being organized in Brussels on Sunday 29 March 2015. It is a parade with 10 heart desires for more social and greener policies. Ostend is giving the parade a special tint. We are setting off earlier, on Wednesday 25 March 2015 with the bike, yes with the bike on a four-day 115 km journey to Brussels. First stop is the beautiful ancient city of Bruges. We’d arrive on bike at 2.30 pm and at 3 pm at the Grote Markt I’m billed to address the crowd on the topic of “Diversity is a Reality” If you can, please join us because I do have a few interesting things to tell us about the fast changing demography of Belgium, of Europe, our changing world, our common humanity… The team Ostend will be joined by colleagues from Bruges and the crowd of bikers will thicken as more will join in Aalst, Gent and other towns and villages in-between until arrival in Brussels on Sunday the 29th.

Get your free badge #hetkananders at 1 pm at the Green Stand in front of the Brussels North station. Mayrem Almaci, the newly elected Green Party Leader will be there in person to receive you.

Finally, if you can’t join us in Bruges to hear the speech and take your copy but are interested, email Keji Safe at admin@collinsnweke.eu for your soft copy or check back on our website later this week to download your copy. Your presence is important. We must send a strong signal to those cutting close to the bones of the poor that there are alternatives to the current inhuman measures. I hope to see you on Wednesday in Bruges and hopefully you can join the Big Parade in Brussels on Sunday.

Best regards

Collins NWEKE | Municipal Councillor Ostend City Council