Embassy of Belgium in the United States of America

??? Showcasing Belgian creativity Cohabs?embodies Belgium’s ingenuity in addressing modern urban challenges. They’ve created an urban living concept that combines flexibility, affordability, and sustainability with a true feeling of home. With 2,000 members across Europe and the U.S. and another 1,000 rooms in development,?Cohabs?is redefining what it means to live—and belong—in a big city. ? ?? Big cities are often lonely places. Belgian Cohabs?has a solution. Moving to a big city can be a daunting experience, especially for young professionals on flexible job assignments or shorter stays. In Washington, D.C., where half of all households consist of one person, this challenge is particularly acute. Singles aged 25 to 34 are driving the city’s growth—exactly the demographic that Belgian?co-living company?Cohabs?is designed for. ???? Sustainability meets belonging Cohabs?isn’t just about stylish homes, it’s about a sustainable and community-focused lifestyle. As a certified B Corp, they prioritize energy-efficient installations, ethically sourced materials, and waste reduction. A dedicated app encourages residents to manage their own energy consumption and participate in shared activities, enhancing a strong sense of belonging and community. ?? Belgian roots, global impact Founded in 2016 by three Belgian entrepreneurs,?Cohabs?has rapidly expanded its footprint in European cities and the American East Coast, with 60 properties in Brussels and 17 (500 rooms in total) in New York City. Now, they’re developing five projects in Washington, D.C. All buildings are the property of the company. ?? More: https://cohabs.com Ministry of Foreign Affairs Belgium, Cohabs, Michel Wallemacq, hub.brussels, hub.brussels | Americas, Kathlijn Fruithof, Lucy d'Alen?on, Elisa Richou, Max Cuttler #urbanliving #urbanchallenges #cohousing #housing #cohabs #sharedhomes

?? Julie Keeps Quiet – A poignant Belgian film exploring trauma and resilience. ?? On this International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, we highlight Julie Keeps Quiet, Belgium’s 2025 Oscar entry. Directed by Belgian filmmaker Leonardo Van Dijl, this remarkable debut delves into the aftermath of abuse through the story of Julie, a young athlete confronting trauma in the wake of a scandal at her elite tennis academy. Featuring the muted, naturalistic cinematography of 'I, Tonya’s' Nicolas Karakatsanis and a compelling performance by tennis player Tessa Van den Broeck, the film brings to light the complexities of survival and healing. The movie will be screened at AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center during the AFI European Union Film Showcase on December 7 and 10. Combating gender-based violence has been a cornerstone of Belgian foreign policy for years, addressing urgent realities: ?? One in three women experiences physical or sexual violence, ??139 countries have no legislation banning child marriage, ?? 65% of women parliamentarians face sexist remarks, and ?? One in ten European women has been a victim of cyberbullying. Belgium continues to address this violation of human rights through bilateral relations and in international organizations. Ministry of Foreign Affairs Belgium, Delegation of Flanders to the USA, Flanders Image, European Union Delegation to the United States, Consulate General of Belgium in Los Angeles, Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences #BelgianCinema #EndViolenceAgainstWomen #JulieKeepsQuiet #AFI2024EU #Oscars2025

Chargée d'Affaires Sophie Karlshausen hosted a luncheon with leading experts from Carnegie Endowment, Atlantic Council, German Marshall Fund of the United States, and Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). The discussion focused on the future of US-China relations and the potential implications for US allies in Europe. For Belgium, fostering our strong transatlantic relations while navigating the complexities of this evolving global landscape remains a key priority. Ministry of Foreign Affairs Belgium, Hamed Mobasser #USChinaRelations #TransatlanticPartnership #ForeignPolicy #GlobalAffairs #Belgium #ChinaEuropeRelations

?? The Consulate General of Belgium in Los Angeles is hiring a Multiskilled Officer, with a focus in public diplomacy, events, and communications. Are you an organized individual who is great at event planning and community outreach? Want to become an essential part of our diplomatic and consular network, supporting our Consulate General? Find out if you might be the perfect fit for our team! ?? Apply by December 1, 2024. For a full job description and selection process, visit our website: https://lnkd.in/evWJgFpx

Chargée d’Affaires Sophie Karlshausen was thrilled to host a lunch discussion with leading experts on current and future US policies in #Africa, organized by our colleague counselor Andy Van Pachtenbeke. Many thanks to our guests for sharing their valuable insights.

???? Promoting #Diplomacy and #Multilateralism at Model United Nations (MUN) in Washington, DC. Last week, the Embassy of Belgium in the United States of America had the pleasure of participating in the Model United Nations (#MUN) conference in Washington organized by?IDA - Italian Diplomatic Academy, DC. Our Embassy counselor, Charles Randaxhe, was honored to address an audience of aspiring diplomats, alongside ambassadors and distinguished members of the diplomatic community. In his speech, Charles reflected on the essence of diplomacy: "Diplomacy is about people—helping them lead decent lives in peace—and it's practiced through relationships between states, which ultimately connect people to people." He also highlighted Belgium's strong commitment to multilateralism, hosting institutions like the European Union and NATO, and contributing actively to international organizations like the UN Security Council, Belgium being in the top 10 most frequently elected countries.?Belgium was also elected, for the third time,?at the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva. Events like #MUN showcase the power of young voices in shaping the future of diplomacy and global cooperation. Belgium remains committed to fostering multilateral solutions and encouraging the next generation of leaders to promote peace and understanding worldwide. Thank you to all who made this event a success, and to the MUN participants—you are the future of diplomacy! ?? Ministry of Foreign Affairs Belgium, André Tshibwabwa, Karl Lagatie, #YouthLeadership #MUN2024

???? Last week, the Belgian Residence was brimming with energy as we celebrated King’s Day with distinguished U.S. officials, diplomatic and military guests, and Friends of Belgium. Our heartfelt thanks to all our guests for attending and to the partners who made this evening a great success, braving a very Belgian weather. ???????? As we mark the 80th anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge, it was a moment to reflect on our shared past—the joint fight for freedom and democracy—and to celebrate the enduring Belgium-U.S. friendship and transatlantic bonds that underpins our common prosperity and stability. It was the occasion to highlight as well the upcoming commemorations of the Battle of the Bulge in Belgium and Luxembourg, where King Philippe will honor the courage and sacrifice of American soldiers who fought for freedom and peace in Europe during the winter of 1944. Chargée d’Affaires Sophie Karlshausen welcomed U.S. Rep. Joe Wilson, member of the US-BE caucus in Congress, and notable speakers Deputy Assistant Secretary Zaneta Adams, J.D. (U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs) and Deputy Assistant Secretary Michael Heath (U.S. Department of State), who each highlighted key aspects of our strong bilateral relations. In her remarks, Sophie Karlshausen shared how King Philippe of Belgium pursued a master’s degree in political science at Stanford University in 1985, a tradition now continued by Crown Princess Elisabeth, who recently began her master’s in public policy at Harvard Kennedy School Executive Education. These personal connections embody the deep bond between our nations. As our embassy looks forward to working closely with the coming U.S. administration under President-elect Donald Trump, Sophie Karlshausen also reflected on the excellent cooperation with the current U.S. Federal Government, including our joint support for Ukraine, and enhanced collaboration in combating drug trafficking, promoting global human rights, working toward a lasting peace in the Middle East and partnerships in Africa. Our economic ties are equally robust. The U.S. is Belgium’s largest foreign investor and export market outside the EU, with Belgian companies supporting approximately 130,000 jobs in the U.S. These partnerships span innovative sectors such as cancer treatment, nuclear research, offshore wind development, aerospace, water management, and port logistics. We are grateful to our wonderful jazz band for setting the tone and to our valued sponsor Televic and partnering breweries BBL USA, Duvel Moortgat USA Ltd., Katcef Brothers Inc, and Wetten Importers, Inc.—for their fantastic support. Photo's: Thanks to Andy Van Pachtenbeke Ministry of Foreign Affairs Belgium, Televic Conference

?????? Congratulations to the outstanding ???? students in #GameDesign and #DigitalArts! Belgium has long been a beacon of creativity, with cutting edge advancements in design, arts and #entertainment.?Known for nurturing world-class talent, Belgian institutions are at the forefront of training young creatives and tech innovators. A shining example is HOWEST University of Applied Sciences in Kortrijk, Belgium, known for excellence in #digitaldesign, #cybersecurity, and #gamedevelopment, is making waves on the global stage. This year, *The Rookies*, an organization that has ranked the world’s top schools for young creatives since 2009, awarded Howest's Bachelor’s program in Industrial Product Design the title of **#1 Product Design School in the World for 2024!** ??? ?? This achievement is a testament to the dedication of the students: seven of the fourteen global finalists in this category hail from #Howest! Their exceptional talent underscores the strength of our programs and the innovation thriving on our Kortrijk and Bruges campuses. ???? This accolade adds to a series of awards Howest has received from *The Rookies*, including multiple wins for the Howest - Digital Arts and Entertainment program, recognized three times as the ‘Best Game Design & Development School.’ ???? https://lnkd.in/e72JQhQa https://lnkd.in/gqEEF63H ?? #TheRookies #Rookieoftheyear #Rookiesawards2024 #DAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs Belgium, Flanders Investment & Trade (FIT), Flanders Investment & Trade - USA, BELWEST - Chamber of Commerce, HOWEST Hogeschool West-Vlaanderen, Howest - Ba. Industrieel Productontwerpen, Delegation of Flanders to the USA

?? Exciting news for Belgium’s logistics sector! U.S.-based footwear brand Skechers has announced an expansion of its European Distribution Center (EDC) operations in Liège, Belgium. This relocation to a state-of-the-art, 200,000-square-meter facility signifies Skechers' commitment to further growth across the European continent. Partnering once again with the Weerts Group, Skechers' new EDC will be strategically positioned to meet increasing demand across Europe, supporting both immediate and long-term growth. ?? Belgium's world-class logistics network of airports, roads, and ports—including the Port of Antwerp-Bruges International, Europe’s largest container port for U.S.-EU trade—makes it the ideal base for such a large-scale operation. With more than 500 Skechers stores in Europe, the company’s choice of Belgium reaffirms our country’s unique appeal as a global logistics hub. ?? Some 80% of Europe’s purchasing power lies within a radius of 500 miles of Belgium’s capital Brussels. We are proud to welcome this expansion and to see Skechers’ continued investment in Belgium, underscoring our country’s position as a top distribution and logistics powerhouse in Europe. ?? https://lnkd.in/eZyJdGHK Photo Shutterstock Ministry of Foreign Affairs Belgium, AWEX USA, Frank Murari, BELWEST - Chamber of Commerce, Consulate General of Belgium in Los Angeles, Nathalie D., Hubert Goffinet, U.S. Embassy in Belgium, Wallonia Export & Investment Agency, BelCham, Noura Bellahreche, Bart Deelen, Charly Poppe, AmCham Belgium #logistics #Skechers #distributioncenter #retail

?????? A Century of Life, Service, and Connection: Happy 100th birthday Mr. ???????? ????????????! On November 11, Veterans Day, we were privileged to host a 100th birthday celebration at the Belgian residence for Paul Goffin, the eldest Belgian #WWII veteran. ???????? Surrounded by family, friends, and Embassy colleagues, Paul marked this incredible milestone in the warmth of the autumn sun, reflecting on his lifetime of resilience, adventure, and dedication. Paul represents on his own the longstanding and unwavering connection between Belgium and the U.S. Paul’s journey began during WWII when, fresh out of school in 1944, he joined the 21st Fusiliers Battalion to serve Belgium. Attached first to an English unit and later to an American one, Paul patrolled the Belgian-German border through treacherous, mined territory—missions that cost the lives of many comrades. As peace returned, Paul took on the duty of repatriating foreign forced laborers, marking the beginning of a life defined by courage and strength. ?? Paul’s post-war path led him to Louvain University and then to Iowa State College for a master’s in agricultural economics. Upon returning, he met his life partner, Ghislaine Verstraeten. It was the beginning of an expansive career. In Congo, the couple spent seven years immersing in new cultures and witnessing history before moving on to roles that took them across the globe, ultimately settling in Washington, D.C. Working with the The World Bank, Paul became a true Belgian American, embracing the values of unity, human rights, and cross-cultural understanding. Embassy representatives, including Chargée d’Affaires Sophie Karlshausen, Consul General Michael C., Colonel Marco Madile, and staff members Gwenda DeMoor, Anne- Marie Snoeckx and Frederik Langhendries, gathered to celebrate alongside Paul’s family. Chef Wout Sabbe prepared a Belgian specialty to honor the occasion, adding a touch of home to this gathering. ? As a true Belgian, Paul likes his treats like chocolate, beer, and Liège Syrup. He is also excited for the 2026 World Cup, where he will be cheering for the Red Devils from afar. Despite advancing age, Paul’s ties to Belgium remain strong, with family visits and fond memories shared between his homes in Washington, D.C., and the Belgian coast. ?? Happy Birthday, Mr. Goffin! Your legacy inspires all of us! Ministry of Foreign Affairs Belgium, Belgian Defence, U.S. Embassy in Belgium, Battle of the Bulge Association, Bastogne War Museum, Consulate General of Belgium in New York, Consulate General of Belgium in Los Angeles, Consulate General of Belgium in Atlanta #VeteransDay #Veterans #100birthday #battleofthebulge