Government Organizations & Agencies

Most of the content on Belgian governmental websites are written in Dutch, French or German and not in English.   Looking for more information but don't have time to take up a second language? Here is a list of some Belgian agencies and government ministries that have websites in English.  


Federal Social Security and Public Institutions of Social Security
Telephone:     +32 (0)2 528 60 31
E-Mail:             social.security@minsoc.fed.be
Website:          http://socialsecurity.fgov.be/en/index.htm
Created in 2001 under Prime Minister Verhofstadt, the Federal  Public Service (FPS) Social Security is responsible for the Belgian social security system.  It is organized into five sections: (1) social policy, (2) self-employed persons, (3) disabled persons, (4) war victims, and (5) social inspection.  The website has a 67-page brochure available for download entitled "Everything You Have Always Wanted To Know About Social Security" that  provides an excellent overview of the system.  

Belgium's French Community
E-Mail:             telvert@cfwb.be
Website:          http://www2.cfwb.be/gb/presentation/communaute/pg001.html
The French community of Belgium is one of three official communities along with the German speaking community and the Flemish community.  It is an official institution with its own parliament, government and administration.  It has its own early childhood policy and education system.  The French Community's website provides information about its history, population and political context and also has contact information for government officials.  

Office de la Naissance et de l'Enfance (ONE)
Telephone:     02/542.15.71
Website:          http://www.one.be/ensavoirplus/english.htm
The Birth and Children Office (O.N.E.) is the French Community's public department that is responsible for providing medical and social attention to pregnant women, mothers and young children free of charge. The English portion of O.N.E.'s website  provides a basic overview of their services and accomlishments.  

Kind & Gezin (Child & Family)
Website:          http://www.kindengezin.be/KG/English_pages/default.jsp
Telephone:     078 150 100
Operating under the Flemish Minister of Welfare, Health and Family, Kind & Gezin is a Flemish government agency responsible for young children and families in Flanders.  The agency works closely with the Flemish Ministry of Education to provide for familes with children under 3 years old.  All of their services are offered free of charge.  Kind & Gezin's website offers an explanation of their services. The agency's research on Flemish children and childcare  is available for download in PDF format.  


Ministry of the Flemish Community: Education Department
Website:          http://www.ond.vlaanderen.be/english/
You can find straightforward information about the Flemish educational system on this website.  The Ministry's website has translated some of their publications into English and made them available for download for free.  One that we found very helpful is called Education in Flanders: The Flemish Educational Landscape in A Nutshell."