This past fall, I had the opportunity to partake in a series of discussions with representatives from the Department of Homeland Security, the US-Belgian Embassy, and a delegation of officials from Vilvoorde, Belgium.
The city of Vilvoorde is located in the Flanders region of Belgium, with the three official languages being French, Dutch, and German. In the early 1960's, the government of Belgium encouraged to come to Belgium to work. After that, many individuals from Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Turkey, Congo, and elsewhere emigrated.
With demographics similar to that of Hilliard's, the delegation explored the concepts of student engagement and integration. From this, we built off of the idea that a multicultural society did not necessarily equate to in intercultural one.
Over their visit, I had the pleasure of meeting:
Laila Hassan- State Department Political Economic Officer US Embassy-Belgium
From Belgium:
Hans Jozef Bonte- Mayor of Vilvoorde, Belgium
Jessika Soors- City of Vilvoorde, Belgium, Countering Radicalization and Polarization
Fatima Lamarti-Office of Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities (elected position), Vilvoorde Belgium
Houari El Hanouti- Work and Welfare Consultant (elected position), "Poverty Fighter"
Godefridus Coenen- Cheif of Police, Vilvoorde, Belgium
Catherine Bodet- Policy Advisor, Vilvoorde, Belgium Police Department
From the Department of Homeland Security:
Kareem Shora- Section Cheif, Community Engagement Section Office for Civil RIghts and Civil Liberties (CRCL)
Abdirazak Farah- Senior Policy Advisor
Laura Olson- Community Disaster Recovery Specialist
The city of Vilvoorde is located in the Flanders region of Belgium, with the three official languages being French, Dutch, and German. In the early 1960's, the government of Belgium encouraged to come to Belgium to work. After that, many individuals from Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Turkey, Congo, and elsewhere emigrated.
With demographics similar to that of Hilliard's, the delegation explored the concepts of student engagement and integration. From this, we built off of the idea that a multicultural society did not necessarily equate to in intercultural one.
Over their visit, I had the pleasure of meeting:
Laila Hassan- State Department Political Economic Officer US Embassy-Belgium
From Belgium:
Hans Jozef Bonte- Mayor of Vilvoorde, Belgium
Jessika Soors- City of Vilvoorde, Belgium, Countering Radicalization and Polarization
Fatima Lamarti-Office of Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities (elected position), Vilvoorde Belgium
Houari El Hanouti- Work and Welfare Consultant (elected position), "Poverty Fighter"
Godefridus Coenen- Cheif of Police, Vilvoorde, Belgium
Catherine Bodet- Policy Advisor, Vilvoorde, Belgium Police Department
From the Department of Homeland Security:
Kareem Shora- Section Cheif, Community Engagement Section Office for Civil RIghts and Civil Liberties (CRCL)
Abdirazak Farah- Senior Policy Advisor
Laura Olson- Community Disaster Recovery Specialist