Belgium deserves better than just the status quo

What do the Belgian Cats, Luca Brecel, Kevin De Bruyne, Angèle, the Ingenieurs at Imec, the lab technicians at Pfizer and the KU Leuven students that build solar-powered cars all have in common? Loads of Belgian talent.?

Whether we’re talking about the pharmaceutical industry, major technological developments or sports and cultural achievements, Belgium punches far above its own weight on the international stage. For a small country in the centre of Europe our impact throughout history has always been exceptionally large.?

While located between great powers our country still succeeded not only in remaining relevant but also proved to be an ideal place to nurture talent. Talent is our most important resource. We can no longer rely on metals or sources of energy, and do not have any inexhaustible agricultural export products. Our greatest asset is a strong human capital base with talent as the raw material for developing the solutions of tomorrow.?

That raw material has been able to thrive for centuries and play a role at important moments in history. From Mercator to the correct recipe for the first contraceptive pill and the invention of the first electric train track - these and so many more impressive Belgian developments make the world what it is today.?

Today too there is momentum to lead the way. The world is at a tipping point. Democracy is under pressure all over the world, values that have been fought for for centuries are being questioned, world wars are knocking at the door. While technology is advancing at a rapid pace, its dangers are also rearing their heads. Here too is an opportunity for Belgium to make a difference. But we’re not seizing that opportunity.

Our country is in danger of slowly sinking into stagnation. Belgian politics have seen drama in abundance in the past year, dominated by a severe energy crisis, calls for resignation of members of the government and overwhelming immobility. Our public finances remain particularly worrisome and huge costs linked to an ageing population loom ahead of us. In terms of quality of education, we’re slipping down the rankings to become the worst students in Europe. We’re being taken to task at an international level for our tax policy, the treatment of refugees and the state of our prisons. In polls we see public confidence in political institutions melting away like snow in the sun. As much as 16% of our population would find it acceptable to have the military in power.?

For a country that has for decades been a pioneer in societal terms, the current standstill is shocking. Belgium deserves better than this status quo. There is too much talent, too much potential to be lost just like that. Let this be a call to dare to fight for this country and its welfare. Opportunities and chances not only here but also globally are being lost due to lack of decisive policies. For years our country has gotten by on making progress in small steps. Mini reforms, mini changes. It has led to a fragmented country full of niche policies in taxation, social security and licensing. It has created a system of government which is unwieldy and far too costly. It has resulted in a moribund population that prefers populism to reason. And it is snuffing our chances to make the most of our talent in the world.?

In 2030 our country will have existed for 200 years. That gives Belgium just seven years to turn the tide and break the status quo. We must dare to sacrifice sacred cows, dare to take on the economic and societal challenges that lie before us. Dare to keep people in the workplace longer. Dare to truly reform our tax policy. Dare to restore the health of our public finances. Dare to invest in sectors that put Belgium on the map. Dare to reform our educational system. Dare to change our country, and from there go on to change the world.?