Wouter Van Bellingen
Encyclopedia
Wouter Van Bellingen is a Flemish
politician
for the political party Spirit
. Before that, he was employed by the city of Sint-Niklaas
as a civil servant working on youth and developing world
issues.
Since 2 January 2007, Van Bellingen is an alderman
in Sint-Niklaas, where he lives. As such, he became the first black alderman in Flanders. He is responsible for the city's activities related to youths, parties, international projects, civilian affairs and the civil registry and some administrative functions.
Van Bellingen drew media attention in February 2007 when it was reported that 3 couples cancelled their wedding ceremony because they didn't want to be wed by a black registrar. In response to the event, Van Bellingen decided to organise a multicultural wedding event on March 21, 2007, which is also the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination
. 626 couples were symbolically married by Van Bellingen that day and this event was perceived as a strong anti-racism signal.
Van Bellingen was given up for adoption by his Rwanda
n mother. He grew up in Sint-Niklaas as the youngest son in a family with 4 adopted children. He is married and has 2 children. He was very active in the different sections of the youth councils in Flanders, and a scouting
leader.
Flanders
Flanders is the community of the Flemings but also one of the institutions in Belgium, and a geographical region located in parts of present-day Belgium, France and the Netherlands. "Flanders" can also refer to the northern part of Belgium that contains Brussels, Bruges, Ghent and Antwerp...
politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
for the political party Spirit
Spirit (Belgium)
' was a Belgian Flemish political party formed after dissolution of the moderate nationalist People's Union party. Prior to 19 April 2008 it was known as Spirit, and intermediately as Flemish Progressives...
. Before that, he was employed by the city of Sint-Niklaas
Sint-Niklaas
Sint-Niklaas is a Belgian city and municipality located in the Flemish province of East Flanders. The municipality comprises the city of Sint-Niklaas proper and the towns of Belsele, Nieuwkerken-Waas, and Sinaai....
as a civil servant working on youth and developing world
Developing country
A developing country, also known as a less-developed country, is a nation with a low level of material well-being. Since no single definition of the term developing country is recognized internationally, the levels of development may vary widely within so-called developing countries...
issues.
Since 2 January 2007, Van Bellingen is an alderman
Schepen
A schepen is a Dutch word referring to a municipal civic office in Dutch-speaking countries. The term is still in use in Belgium, but it has been replaced by wethouder in the Netherlands. The closest English terms are alderman, member of the municipal executive, councillor and magistrate,...
in Sint-Niklaas, where he lives. As such, he became the first black alderman in Flanders. He is responsible for the city's activities related to youths, parties, international projects, civilian affairs and the civil registry and some administrative functions.
Van Bellingen drew media attention in February 2007 when it was reported that 3 couples cancelled their wedding ceremony because they didn't want to be wed by a black registrar. In response to the event, Van Bellingen decided to organise a multicultural wedding event on March 21, 2007, which is also the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination
International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination
The International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination is observed annually on 21 March. On that day, in 1960, police opened fire and killed 69 people at a peaceful demonstration in Sharpeville, South Africa, against the apartheid pass laws...
. 626 couples were symbolically married by Van Bellingen that day and this event was perceived as a strong anti-racism signal.
Van Bellingen was given up for adoption by his Rwanda
Rwanda
Rwanda or , officially the Republic of Rwanda , is a country in central and eastern Africa with a population of approximately 11.4 million . Rwanda is located a few degrees south of the Equator, and is bordered by Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo...
n mother. He grew up in Sint-Niklaas as the youngest son in a family with 4 adopted children. He is married and has 2 children. He was very active in the different sections of the youth councils in Flanders, and a scouting
Scouting
Scouting, also known as the Scout Movement, is a worldwide youth movement with the stated aim of supporting young people in their physical, mental and spiritual development, that they may play constructive roles in society....
leader.