24 – 27 November 2026 | Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium

In Belgium (FR), a decree on Cultural Centers aims to develop and support the work of cultural centers in order to help people exercise their right to culture, with a focus on equality and empowerment.

This decree specifies that cultural centers activities have to :

• Increase people’s ability to analyze, discuss, imagine, and take action, especially through participatory methods,
• Seek to involve cultural actors from their local environment in designing and carrying out medium- and long-term cultural projects,
• Be part of local or sector-based cooperation networks.

The decree also clearly links the missions of cultural centers to education and lifelong learning. The decree defines lifelong learning as “an approach that aims to encourage critical thinking about society, support democratic and collective initiatives, develop active citizenship, and promote social, cultural, environmental, and economic rights. It seeks both individual and collective empowerment, with a focus on active participation and cultural expression”.