Mission & Goals

Mission & Goals

In its 'Vision 2050', the Government of Flanders outlines the region it aspires to be in 2050: a social, open, resilient and international Flanders which creates prosperity and well-being in a smart, innovative and sustainable way, and where everyone counts. As an open society and economy, the future of Flanders is tied to development in the rest of the world, so the Government of Flanders wishes to see Flanders more connected with other countries than ever before. Maintaining good relations with the Unites States is necessary for effectively promoting Flemish interests, which is a key task of Flemish foreign policy.

The Delegation of Flanders to the USA is the diplomatic presence of Flanders, a regional government of the federal country of Belgium that enjoys full treaty making powers. The Delegation is based in New York City, where, as a part of the Consulate General of Belgium, it represents and defends all the interests of the Government of Flanders in the United States of America. The Delegation is the first point of contact in the United States for all issues related to the Government of Flanders and its competences.

In addition to supporting and facilitating official contacts between the Government of Flanders and the different levels of government in the USA, the Delegation is also particularly active in the fields of academic, cultural, and public diplomacy, as well as community outreach, the promotion of Flemish policy expertise, and increasing Flanders’ name recognition. Together with Flanders Investment & Trade and VISITFLANDERS, the Delegation of Flanders is your source of information on Flemish diplomatic, academic, scientific, cultural, economic, and touristic activities and exchanges in the United States.

Flanders: the Heart of Europe

Flanders: the Heart of Europe

Flanders is the northern federated state of Belgium, bordered by the North Sea in the West and nestled between the Netherlands and France. Its capital is Brussels, which it shares with the EU, NATO and numerous other international institutions and companies. Flanders is a unique region thanks to a combination of world- renowned seaports, an extensive railway and road network, its productive and highly educated population, excellent healthcare, and an R&D-friendly environment.

Some of Europe’s leading cities, like London, Paris, Rotterdam, Amsterdam, Cologne and Luxembourg are all situated within a 185 mile radius of Brussels, the capital of both Belgium and Flanders.

 

Flanders is at the heart of Europe.

Flanders is at the heart of Europe.

The Government of Flanders

The Government of Flanders

The Government of Flanders consists of nine ministers, who are in office for a 5-year term, which is due to end in 2024.

  • Jan Jambon
    Jan Jambon
    Minister-President of Flanders
    Flemish Minister for Foreign Policy, Culture, Digitalization and Facilities
  • Hilde Crevits
    Hilde Crevits
    Vice-Minister-President of Flanders
    Flemish Minister for Welfare, Public Health, and Family
  • Gwendolyn Rutten
    Gwendolyn Rutten
    Vice-Minister-President of Flanders
    Flemish Minister for Home Affairs, Administrative Affairs, Civic Integration and Equal Opportunities
  • Ben Weyts
    Ben Weyts
    Vice-Minister-President of Flanders
    Flemish Minister for Education, Sport, the Vlaamse Rand, and Animal Welfare
  • Zuhal Demir
    Zuhal Demir
    Flemish Minister for Justice and Enforcement, Environment, Energy and Tourism
  • Matthias Diependaele
    Matthias Diependaele
    Flemish Minister for Finance and Budget, Housing and Immovable Heritage
  • Lydia Peeters
    Lydia Peeters
    Flemish Minister for Mobility and Public Works
  • Benjamin Dalle
    Benjamin Dalle
    Flemish Minister for Brussels Affairs, Youth, Media, and Poverty Reduction
  • Jo Brouns
    Jo Brouns
    Flemish Minister for Economy, Innovation, Work, Social Economy, and Agriculture
Flanders Chancellery and Foreign Office

Flanders Chancellery and Foreign Office

The Flanders Chancellery and Foreign Office is in charge of all the government of Flanders’ international relations. It coordinates Flanders’ international and European activities and directs its relations with foreign governments, the European Union and international organizations. With a budget of around €46 million the Flanders Chancellery and Foreign Office is entrusted with the following tasks:

  • Development of cooperation with foreign partners
  • Rule-making process and implementation of European legislation
  • Conclusion and ratification of international treaties
  • International and European trade policy
  • Flanders development cooperation, with a geographical focus on Southern Africa
  • Monitoring import, export and transfer of weapons and strategic goods to and from Flanders

The Flanders Chancellery and Foreign Office cooperates with the agencies Flanders Investment and Trade and VISITFLANDERS, in order to realize Flanders’ international ambitions.

Foreign Policy

Foreign Policy

Flanders is an open society focused on the world. In a globalized world, it is essential that we comprehensively pursue our interests and resolutely employ our assets at the international level. Since the signing of the Special Act of 5 May 1993, the so-called St. Michael’s Agreement, every level of government in Belgium (including Flanders) can pursue its own policy abroad as related to its domestic competences. According to this principle, which is described as “in foro interno, in foro externo", Flanders develops its own foreign policy in all its internal powers, such as education, the environment, infrastructure, culture, and social affairs.

In this context Flanders maintains bilateral relations with various countries and in various fields, since the great challenges of the 21st century transcend both national and regional boundaries, and increasingly require global answers. We also welcome multilateral cooperation, through multilateral institutions such as UNESCO, the international Labor Organization (ILO) and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).

The diplomatic delegations abroad serve as instruments of the foreign policy of Flanders. They work in close cooperation with the respective Belgian Embassies.

International Policy

The Government of Flanders is determined to position our region as a reliable partner with its own international policy. In order to realize this ambition, the Flemish international policy focuses on the following nine strategic objectives:

  • Global answers to global issues
  • The European Union as global actor
  • Subsidiary and cultural diversity
  • Sound licensing policy with regard to the trade in strategic goods
  • Stronger internationalization of the Flemish economy
  • Free and fair world trade
  • Greater international accessibility of Flanders
  • Poverty reduction and social development
  • Combating climate change effect

 

    Flanders Facts and Figures

     

     

    Belgian State Structure

    Belgian State Structure

    Belgium gained independence in 1830. Between 1970 and 1993, the country evolved into a more efficient federal structure. This occurred through six state reforms (in 1970, 1980, 1988-89, 1993 and 2001). As a result, the first article of the Belgian constitution today reads: “Belgium is a federal state, composed of communities and regions”.

    Communities

    The redistribution of power occurred along two lines. The first line relates to language and, in a broader sense, to everything related to culture. The result was several communities. The concept of 'community' refers to persons that make up a community and the bond that unifies them, namely their language and culture. Belgium sits across the fault line that separates German and Latin cultures. This explains why the country has three official languages: Dutch, French and German. As a result Belgium has three communities: the Flemish Community, the French Community and the German-speaking Community. These communities correspond with the population groups.

    Since these Communities are based on the concept of "language" and language is "dependent on the individual", a number of other powers are obviously associated with the Communities. The Community has authority over culture (e.g. theater, libraries, audiovisual media), education, the use of languages and matters relating to the individual, which concern health policy (curative and preventive medicine) and assistance to individuals (e.g. child protection, social welfare, family assistance, immigrant assistance services). They also have powers in the field of scientific research and international relations, ,as associated with their powers.

    Regions

    Economic interests inspired the second goal of state reform, as the regions aspired to more economic autonomy. This resulted in the establishment of three regions: the Flemish Region, the Brussels Capital Region and the Walloon Region. To a certain extent, they can be compared to the American states or the German 'Länder'.

    Their powers have been gradually extended in the course of various reforms. During the second state reform of 1980, the Flemish and Walloon Region were given their own Parliament and Government. The Brussels-Capital Region, on the other hand, was only granted its institutions during the third state reform in 1988-89. The population directly elects the members of the Regional Parliament every five years.

    Regions have powers in fields that are connected with their region or territory in the broadest sense. The Flemish Region, the Brussels-Capital Region and the Walloon Region have powers relating to the economy, employment, agriculture, water policy, housing, public works, energy, transport (except Belgian railways), the environment, town and country planning, nature conservation, credit, foreign trade, supervision of the provinces, communes, and inter-communal utility companies.

    They also have powers relating to scientific research and international relations in those fields.

    The Regions have legislative and executive branches: these are known as the Regional Parliament and the Regional Government.

    One should not forget that in Flanders, the Community and Regional institutions were merged, Therefore, Flanders only has one parliament and one government.

    Federal State

    The Federal State retains important powers in the area of foreign affairs, national defense, justice, finance, social security, important parts of national health and domestic affairs, etc. Nevertheless, the communities and the regions also have the power to establish and maintain foreign relations.

    Reconciling regional and cultural identities within a federal structure is easier said than done, but has the advantage of bringing the decision process closer to the population. This results in a more sharply defined political structure, with a greater emphasis on quality of life.

     

    The three territorial Regions and language-based Communities.

    The three territorial Regions and language-based Communities.

    Internships

    Internships

    Stage New York

    Als Vertegenwoordiging van Vlaanderen in de Verenigde Staten hebben we de taak Vlaanderen beter bekend te maken. We promoten de Vlaamse cultuur en geschiedenis en dragen daarbovenop de Vlaamse politieke en wetenschappelijke realiteit uit. De Vertegenwoordiging van Vlaanderen in de VS is het aanspreekpunt voor alle activiteiten die Vlaanderen in de VS ontwikkelt. Deze activiteiten verlopen in nauwe samenwerking en overleg met de Belgische diplomatieke diensten.

    De Vertegenwoordiging van Vlaanderen in de Verenigde Staten biedt stageplaatsen aan voor laatstejaarsstudenten, voor zowel professionele en academische bachelors als master in communicatiewetenschappen, politieke wetenschappen, internationale betrekkingen, office management, eventmanagement en EU-studies. De stage dient plaats te vinden in het kader van een studie en in samenwerking met jouw hogeschool of universiteit. 

    Wat bieden we je?

    Een klein team dat nauw samenwerkt, je de kans geeft om een betekenisvolle rol te spelen en concrete ervaring op te doen. Het takenpakket wordt onderverdeeld in verschillende domeinen:

    - project- en eventmanagement

    - onderzoek en rapportage

    - communicatie en PR

    - office management

    - ondersteuning financieel management

    De stage zelf is helaas onbezoldigd maar wij bieden het visum, alsook een maandelijks abonnement voor woon-werkverkeer aan.

    Zoek je een beurs? Dan is misschien het Priority Country Programme wel iets voor jou.

    We hebben 3 stageperiodes:

    - juni-augustus 2025 (we recruteren)

    - september-december 2025 (we recruteren)

    - januari-mei 2025 (volzet)

    De minimumtermijn voor stages bedraagt idealiter minimum 3 maanden (flexibiliteit is mogelijk) en maximum 4 maanden (de maximale geldigheidsduur van het visum).

    Interesse?

    Stuur dan zeker je cv en een Engelstalige motivatiebrief naar newyork@flanders.eu en vermeld voor welke periode je solliciteert. Indien je nog vragen hebt, aarzel dan niet om contact op te nemen.