Masereelfonds: Promoting Socio-Cultural Education and Critical Engagement in Flanders

1. Masereelfonds A left-wingsocio-culturalassociationbased in Flanders.

2. Adult Education in Flanders • FormalEducation • leadsto a diploma or a profession, e.g. professional training and schooling, basiceducation • Non formalEducation (NFE)‏ • no diploma, only a certificate of participation • in leisure timee.g. social-culturalorganizations: Masereelfondslocalcentres and associations

3. History • In Flanders: 5 recognized cultural foundations (misleading term, we’re not a ‘foundation’ in the sense of giving subsidy's): Davidsfonds (catholic), Vermeylenfonds (socialists), Rodenbachfonds (Flemish movement), Willemsfonds (liberal), Masereelfonds (MF)(independent). MF is the youngest and the only independent one. • ° 1971, fusion of some associations, active in the Belgian communist party. • Named after Frans Masereel, socially engaged graphic artist and painter. • ‘74: officially recognized in Flanders by the decree of social-cultural work. Condition: active in Flanders and Brussels, 80 local branches → enlargement of ideology and target group → separated from the communist party → progressive, pluralistic, democratic and relatively critical

4. Publications • ‘77: publication of “Aktief”, member magazine, 1200 copies, articles about economy, philosophy, film- en bookrecensions, actual themes, music, theatre,… • ‘79: own publisher (R.I.P., °left-wing publishers such as EPO), annual poetry and cartoon competitions • “Agenda” – summary of activities per province • “Mfnieuws/news” - inside information for our volunteers

5. Core business • Active in: • The socio-cultural domain (4 functions: formation and education, spread of culture, stimulation of meetings and networking, stimulation of engagement and (political) activation ) • By organising debates, conferences, lectures, but also festivals, dance and music events,... • Function of ‘memory’ of the left wing movement • The following themes are important to us: ‘Education’ (democratisation of education), ‘Europe’ (reflection on a more democratic and social Europe), ‘Economy’ (discussing alternative economic models), ‘Intercultural society/diversity’ (reflection on the intercultural society, developing intercultural projects), ‘Literature’, ‘Music’, ‘Ecology’. • To summarise, we discuss - in a critical manner – all aspects of society.

6. Volunteers • Activitiesmainlyprogrammed/suggestedbyvolunteers; • 91 branches spread over Brussels and Flanders • As a branch min. 5 activitiesa year • Team: 5 stafmembers: coordinator, book keeper, interculturalprojectworker, educationalworkersresponsibleforAntwerp, Vlaams Brabant, Gent and Brussels (financial, promotional support, help byorganisingevents, administrationof files, exchange of experiences, thematic working(last year: Darwin, nextyear: Congo)

7. Objectives • Questioning and interpretation of the social and cultural debate; • Contribute to cultural enrichment and social emancipation; • Declaration: capitalism as the cause of worldwide fundamental and structural social inequality; • Playing a role in research to nature of capitalism → presenting elements to social change → open attitude, no dogmas, besides marxisme other interesting tendencies that critised capitalism

8. Objectives • Independent towards political parties, left-wing, critical character • Democratic in structure and activity – open to collaboration with other democratically associations • Concerned by specific national questions, such as Flemish nationalism, increase of extreme right, urbanization, problems with the multicultural society