Last year, almost 20,000 newcomers to Flanders started a social orientation course on values and norms in Belgium. The social orientation lessons are part of Flanders’ civic integration programme.
Last year, around 53,000 adults came to live in Flanders. Most of those from outside the EU are required to follow an integration programme after their arrival. This includes family reunification cases and recognised refugees. People from within the EU and economic migrants can choose to follow an integration programme, but it isn’t compulsory. A social orientation course is usually the first step in the integration programme, which teaches newcomers about Belgian social values in their own language. They also receive practical information on topics such as the education and healthcare systems. The Canon of Flanders – a book detailing the region’s culture – also features.
Last year, 19,435 newcomers started social orientation classes, a 7% increase from five years ago. In Antwerp, there was an increase of 28%.
According to Flemish Minister for Civic Integration Hilde Crevits, social orientation classes are playing an increasingly important role in the integration of newcomers.
“It’s much more than a course: it’s the key that opens the door to full participation in our society for newcomers,” she says. “We increase the self-reliance of newcomers and ensure they feel at home.”
About half of participants attend the classes because they are required to do so. The other half take classes voluntarily. Most people start social orientation classes within six months of signing their integration contract. A few years ago, many were unable to do so and there were long waiting lists.
That waiting list has since been significantly reduced but has not yet been eliminated entirely. At the Agency for Integration and Civic Integration, which is responsible for social orientation classes outside the cities of Antwerp and Ghent, there are around 1,500 people waiting longer than six months to start.
It’s much more than a course: it’s the key that opens the door to full participation in our society for newcomers
After a series of 60 hours of lessons, people take a test with multiple-choice questions. For example, can a same-sex couple adopt children? Or when did women get the right to vote in national elections?
The vast majority pass this test. Their active participation during the lessons also plays a role in the evaluation.
However, people have only fully passed their integration course once they have also passed their Dutch lessons, registered with employment agency VDAB and followed a networking programme. Last year, around 17,900 integration certificates were issued.
An integration programme consists of four parts
A social orientation course in which newcomers learn how Belgian society works. This is followed by an integration test with multiple-choice questions.
Dutch as a second language lessons, known as NT2, followed by an exam.
Compulsory registration with the VDAB within 60 days of signing the integration contract.
A 40-hour participation and networking programme to strengthen their social network. People are assigned a buddy or can do an internship or volunteer work.