Traditionally, the network of social organizations Beweging.net (formerly ACW) celebrates Rerum Novarum around Ascension Day. That is the encyclical of Pope Leo “In 2024, this message remains relevant,” says director Carien Neven of Beweging.net in Limburg. Together with all organizations of this umbrella association, she advocates three measures:
1. Growth at UHasselt
“We absolutely support Hasselt University’s demand for additional courses,” says Neven. “The master’s degree in social sciences receives our special attention. That bachelor’s degree was successfully started two years ago. In a province where the number of 20-29 year olds has fallen by almost 10 percent over the past two decades, it would be a shame that those bachelor’s degrees would have to continue their studies outside Limburg. We can never stop the brain drain like this.”
Following Rerum Novarum, director Carien Neven of Beweging.net is pushing for more social measures in Limburg. — © Sven Dillen
2. Affordable housing
The number of student rooms at affordable rents is decreasing, while many expensive rooms are being added. “Not only are young people who are already having a hard time at home falling by the wayside, but children from the middle class are also finding it increasingly difficult,” says Neven.
In addition to the demand for affordable rooms, the top woman also advocates for affordable housing. “Despite the punitive measures taken by Flemish Minister Diependaele, the waiting list for social housing is not getting shorter. However, the group with specific housing needs is growing. With large construction sites such as the North-South and the Einstein Telescope in the pipeline, the demand from the group of migrant workers will increase further. Coordination is necessary to prevent competition between the different groups, on top of the housing crisis, from breaking out.”
3. Education needs LSM
Beweging.net is pleased that the Flemish government has anchored the Limburg Investment Company LRM in Limburg until 2029. “But we hope that the resources of the non-profit organization Limburg Sterk Merk will also remain tied to the LRM. There remains a great need for support for non-return-related projects, because they ultimately ensure that Limburg continues to do well economically,” says Neven.
She advocates that LSM should also invest in education. “The needs in primary education are increasing, while there are hardly any resources for support. In addition, there are long waiting lists at organizations that provide extra support to young people in secondary education. Finally, the number of young people leaving without qualifications is increasing, partly due to truancy. In order not to lose them completely, projects such as Bounce and Connect from Arktos must be expanded, and new projects such as a Limburg pool of school development workers must be added. If we do not tackle the problems in primary and secondary education now, we will feel this later in our higher education, and by extension in our economy and broader social life,” concludes Neven.