Brussels Minister for the Promotion of Multilingualism, Sven Gatz, makes a case for better language skills in Belgium. He explains how we can bring about multilingualism and why it is crucial for the future of our country. With Brussels as a blueprint for change.
More than one hundred different languages are spoken in Brussels, by one hundred and eighty different nationalities. That makes our capital one of the most diverse cities in the world.
Language diversity and multilingualism are not synonymous, however. Prosperity, tolerance, and civic engagement can only exist where people understand one another. Minister Sven Gatz, a true Bruxellois, was therefore given the governmental assignment to promote multilingualism. A first for Europe.
He illustrates how bilingual Brussels, historically dominated by French-speakers, became the beating heart of Europe, tackled the rise of English and grew into the metropolis we know today. Like many big cities in Europe do for their countries, so does the Brussels of today reflect the Belgium of tomorrow. And multilingualism will play a major part in that.
