Degroof Petercam Foundation’s Post

How can we reconcile #parenthood and #work in Belgium? This is the launch of a nationwide open #consultation to hear from mothers, fathers, future parents, grandparents, employers, managers, nonprofit organizations, and all citizens willing to contribute. Thanks to #AI, your proposals will be transformed into an actionable plan. Why is this essential?   - In Belgium, women face lower job participation rates compared to men (68% of "inactive" individuals are women), with a significant portion working part-time primarily due to #caregiving responsibilities (40% of women vs. 12% of men). This imbalance in the formal labor force exposes women to economic #precarity and mental health risks (3x higher for women, who represent 70% of the poor population in Belgium).   - Full-time parenting is not recognized as #employment in Belgium, leading to a lack of economic and social recognition for caregivers.   - Belgium ranks among the top countries globally in terms of parental exhaustion, with severe #health consequences for both parents and children.   - Women's participation in the workforce is essential for economic #prosperity and sustaining social welfare systems. Accessible family care services can enable women to maintain their employment, contributing to economic growth. Family-friendly policies, as seen in Nordic countries, have demonstrated significant boosts in GDP per capita (+10-20%). We must consider long-term societal factors, including the role of work in our lives, the place of children in our society, and our commitment to supporting #families. What do we really want our society to look like? Make your propositions, add your votes to the already 30,000 ones and join those who care Make.org Ligue des familles Gezinsbond MMM Makemothersmatter @Training Institute for Parental Burnout Isabelle Roskam Degroof Petercam Foundation King Baudouin Foundation Axelle Ballieu 💥🌞 Heleen Struyven Belgium's 40 under 40 PULSE Foundation

Our young people face significant challenges every day, from lack of opportunities to uncertain futures. As we approach the election, it's critical to focus on their needs and ensure their voices are heard. Taz shares his story about needing more opportunities for young people. He recalls having little to do in his area while growing up. Now, he’s working to give young people positive activities. By listening to their voices, we can create a future where they can succeed. https://lnkd.in/eRgtH78Z #YouthAdvocacy #Election2024

The term "survivor-centered approaches" has become commonplace in human rights discourse, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing survivors in discussions and decisions that affect them. However, in practice, the financial and emotional costs for survivors are overlooked and underestimated. The reality is that behind every statistic or case study about victims lies a real person with a story, a family, and daily expenses. Increasingly events are being organised that commendably include survivors, yet some organisers, (often due to donor restrictions),frequently overlook the significant time and resource investment required for their participation. Consider pre-conference expenses, such as visas, for instance. Survivors are commonly expected to cover upfront costs for hotel accommodation and transportation to travel from remote areas to urban centers for visa application and collection, remaining financially burdened until reimbursement (typically post-event), despite many living on very limited incomes. A genuine commitment to survivor-centeredness necessitates a shift in perspective to recognize survivors' time as valuable and worthy of both respect and compensation. This may entail offering financial assistance, flexible scheduling, or alternative forms of support. Beyond financial considerations, it's about affirming survivors' dignity, respecting their experiences, and providing the necessary support for their meaningful engagement as experts in their own right.

Youth Parliament gives a stage to youthful people to take part in political talk, copy parliamentary procedures, and voice their viewpoints on cultural issues. This mimicked parliamentary experience plans to develop community mindfulness, initiative abilities, and a feeling of obligation among the young. Members frequently banter, propose strategies, and tackle true difficulties, encouraging a more profound comprehension of the vote based process. Through Youth Parliament, youngsters have the valuable chance to foster decisive reasoning, public talking, and collaboration abilities, setting them up to become educated and dynamic residents later on. #snsdesignthinking #snsinstitution #snsdesignthinkers #youngleaders #youngtalent

🪧 Citizens’ Assemblies: engagement par excellence or a can of worms?   Citizens’ assemblies are not a new concept, but they’re not that well known either.   In a time of increased polarisation of public opinion and debate, citizens’ assemblies in particular are gaining traction. But what are they and how do they work?   Find out in our latest insight piece ➡️ https://lnkd.in/emUkfwfF #Engagement #Communications #EconomicDevelopment #PublicOpiniom

Well, I'm blown away, and I never thought this would happen only 4 days after the election. 🚀 I've been invited to a reception in Parliament for the newly elected MP's tonight. Guess what I'll be talking about? 🙋♂️ #Neurodiversity To. Anyone. That. Will. Listen! However, I really need your help to make sure that we maximise this opportunity to #ChangeTheWorld through informing the people in power in the UK. Let me know in the comments what should our politicans be aware as we aim for #NeuroInclusionNow: - key topics that should be discussed; - where is society failing?; and - what would you like to see change and how? Here is a starter for 10 (themes are explained in detail in the comments): 1. Recognition of Wider Benefits for Society 2. Extensive Consultation with the ND Community 3. The Intersectionality of Neurodiversity 4. Mental Health and Well-Being 5. Access to Screening 6. Access to Diagnosis 7. ND Teacher Training 8. Environmental Factors within Education 9. #NeuroInclusion within the Workplace 10. Environmental Factors within the Workplace Tag in ND activists who have been doing great work globally, and would add useful insight. 💪 Help society understand more about ND by re-posting♻ ⁉️PS: I'm sure that this is incomplete, and missing topics close to our heart (criminal justice, benefits, health, access to work). We need your input today. Let us know your views in the comments. Let's do this! 💪 Image ID: Light brown background with image of Parliament in the background with floating question marks above it. Text reads "How can our MP's better support on Neurodiversity".

I genuinely mean this (and I hope it loses me no friends) - I don't mind who you voted for or wanted to win the UK General Election. The work I do, and hope to continue, with the Accessible Learning Foundation (ALF), with Beyond Inclusion Ltd, with NeuroConverse, with Dyslexia Bytes, and others, is intended for all of us. It doesn't matter if you're left or right, angry frightened or sad, gay straight or otherwise, #neurodivergent, or in any way "different". In fact, it's the marginalised who matter. #Inclusion is just what it says on the tin - #inclusive. We all have limits to our #inclusivity, but ours must be non-partisan and moral. Even concerning those with whom we strongly disagree, we must strive to love our enemies. Love is the only force that unites. It's the only force that heals. It's the only force that truly builds. It was at the very heart of my research work, and I hope we can carry it through in everything we all do. I know it can! To those whose side won today, you have my sincerest joyful congratulations - celebrate and envisage a better future. To those whose sides lost, you have my sympathy and wishes that setbacks such as this can help develop more resilient, hopeful visions. We are all broken; we're all vulnerable; we're all hoping for something better. We can only ever win - really win - when we love our fellow brothers and sisters (and those who identify otherwise). #GeneralElection #Election24 #Election2024 #UKGeneralElection

Just stop it 🤷🏼♂️ If you do one thing today, help stop Conversion therapy. So-called conversion therapy, or conversion practice, is an act which intends to change or suppress someone’s sexual orientation or gender identity. It is abusive and coercive which is why a full ban is necessary. You can do your part to end this practice by completing the government’s consultation (which closes today) by clicking here: https://lnkd.in/dpdJ8Xum In true government website style… it looks like a lot of effort, but it’s just a few minutes filling in form sections. You don’t need to complete the full form and as a guide, the Equality Network recommend that those wishing to protect people fully answer the relevant questions as follows: On question 1 (‘Defining conversion practices for this legislation’) answer ‘Yes’, to help to protect all LGBTQA+ people with a trans and asexual inclusive ban that covers sexual orientation and gender identity. On question 3 (‘Suppression’) answer ‘It should be covered’, as everyone should be able to live freely as their true selves, no matter who they are or who they love. On question 5 (‘Overview of proposals’) answer ‘Support’ because it is better to protect from harm in the first place than to punish people after they have done harm. On question 17 (‘Criminal offences - additional considerations’) answer “Yes” because conversion practices don’t work, can cause lifelong harm and people are often pressured into them. On question (‘About you’) include your name and email address, you do not need to publicly share your input if you’d like to remain privacy of your views. I hesitated about sharing this, but ultimately this isn’t activism or a personal viewpoint, this is about protecting people’s human rights. #equality #banconversiontherapy

Three cheers for the history-making efforts of Bronwen Bock and Lucinda Bradlow who have announced plans to run for Federal Parliament as independent “job-sharing candidates”, so they can balance work and family.   Not only are they redefining traditional roles, but also paving the way for greater flexibility and diversity in a workplace as traditional as Parliament.   As far as we see it, this isn’t just a win for politics – but a win for working mothers everywhere, sending a powerful message that it's possible to pursue fulfilling careers while prioritizing family responsibilities. Plus, it opens up a whole group of people who may otherwise be excluded from running for politics.   We can’t wait to follow their journey!   Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC)   #WorkingMothers #JobSharing #Innovation #DiversityAndInclusion #WorkLifeBalance #WomenInPolitics #BronwenBock #LucyBradlow #ABCNews

Today across the UK, we will cast our vote to elect a new government - the polling stations open at 7.00 am (don't forget to take your photo ID). Voting in general elections is a fundamental democratic right that allows citizens to influence the direction of their government and society. It is a powerful tool for accountability, ensuring that elected officials represent the will of the people. The significance of this right is underscored by the historical struggle of the suffragettes, who fought tirelessly for women's right to vote. Their dedication and sacrifices remind us that the ability to participate in elections should not be taken for granted. By voting, we honor their legacy and contribute to the ongoing pursuit of equality and justice in our society. Also, when we each reflect on the importance of being part of a society that treats people with dignity and respect, let's focus on building bridges that connect migration and wellbeing towards achieving more inclusive societies. Interested in this topic- read a new book published by Routledge -