VP_A5 brochure 2016_EN_[LR]

Welcome to the Flemish Parliament
Flanders has its own parliament.
This fact may come as nothing new
to you. But what else do you know
about it? What exactly goes on in
this iconic glass building which
flashes up on our television screens
from time to time? Who are the
people that work there?
The Flemish Parliament is the place
where you can go to see Flemish
politicians in action.
We all have opinions on what is
important and how Flanders should
be run. These opinions are all
discussed in the Flemish Parliament
because it represents
the great diversity of our society.
This is how you become part of
the decision-making process.
A parliament is a place for debate
and is where different thoughts
and opinions come face to face.
Sometimes the debates can be
very lively and can lead to clashes
between MPs and the government,
or between the majority and the
opposition. This is a normal and
healthy part of democracy.
The decisions taken by the parliament
affect the lives of anyone
who lives, works or spends time in
Flanders. The Flemish Parliament
makes decisions that affect all
spheres of life from our education,
environment and care facilities, to
our child-care, businesses, cultural
centres and sports clubs. The decisions
made are based on what you
have to say on these issues.
Parliament has to earn its citizens’
trust every day. That is why it is so
crucial for us as MPs to pick up on
the signals being sent to us from
society and use them to enrich
our insights. Parliament wishes to
promote a dialogue between MPs
and citizens and make an active
contribution to it.
This brochure is just a small step
forwards in fostering this dialogue.
It tells you who works here, how we
work and what we discuss during
our parliamentary debates. The aim
of this brochure is to open up the
doors of the Flemish Parliament
and let you take a peek inside.
I hope that reading this brochure
will be an enjoyable and enriching
experience.
Jan Peumans
Speaker of
the Flemish
Parliament