As the local elections are approaching, accompanied with the expected changes in the municipal and social services decree, the debate on these local institutions is again being held intensively.

On Monday, June 18th, the Itinera Institute organises a first event on the local elections 2012, in which we examine the Belgian social service department (OCMW /CPAS) and the challenges this complex organization is facing both on the organizational and the policy level.

Myriam Deloddere, OCMW-secretary of Wervik, presents her analysis “Better spending of scarce resources for combating deprivation”, in which she holds the existing organisation model up to the light and puts first more autonomy for the OCMW/CPAS. Hereafter Minister of Work and former president of OCMW Antwerp Monica De Coninck will give her reaction and her vision on the future of OCMW’s by focusing more on the policy role the OCMW should play.

Directly after this there will be a panel discussion with besides Mrs Deloddere and Minister De Coninck also other experts will have the floor such as Philippe Defeyt, president CPAS Namur, Jan Bal, secretary OCMW Mechelen and professor of public management Filip De Rynck (Hogent).

Programme:

12:00
Registration and sandwiches

12:30
Better spending of scarce resources for combating deprivation
Myriam Deloddere, secretary OCMW Wervik

13:00
Reaction by Minister Monica De Coninck

13:30
panel discussion with Myriam Deloddere, Monica De Coninck, Philippe Defeyt (president OCMW Namen), Jan Bal (secretary OCMW Mechelen) and Filip De Rynck (professor of public management at Hogent).

14:30
Questions from the public

The presentation and the reactions will be given in Dutch and French but questions can be asked in the language of your choice. This event is free of charge but the available seats are limited.