8.10 Current debates and reforms
Future Competence Creativity
In the third implementation phase 2019-2024 of the Regional Development Concept (Regionales Entwicklungskonzept, REK), there is a project titled "Future Competence Creativity" (Zukunftskompetenz Kreativität). Creativity is being considered a major competence to be able to face digitalisation and robotisation and is highly demanded and appreciated by possible employers. However, creativity is hardly teachable in classic learning formats such as teaching classes. Consequently, creativity is intended to be learned via so-called cultural education.
While the aforementioned "Culture makes the School" remains the most important programme within the school context, an overall concept for cultural education outside of school in the German-speaking Community shall now be established. Additionally, an evaluation of the measures taken so far is intended.
The measures are planned to take place until 2024, which is the timeframe of the Regional Development Concept III.
Living East Belgium 2040
With the end of the present third implementation phase 2019-2024 of the Regional Development Concept, the current overall development strategy of the German-speaking Community will come to an end. The Government of the German-speaking Community (Regierung der Deutschsprachigen Gemeinschaft) declared in its government declaration (Regierungserklärung) in september 2020 its intention to establish a new development strategy for the German-speaking Community. Said new development strategy is to be called Living East Belgium 2040. As of 2022, the structure of this future strategy is still in preparation, including its thematic focal points. Part of the preparation were 5 workshops, one of which was called "regional identity and autonomy" and which also included matters of culture. It remains to be seen in which concrete way and to what extent this elaborations will be included into the final version.