PTPI Brussels, Belgium
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
PTPI Brussels, Belgium Who we are Brussels, Belgium is the unofficial capital of Europe, home to the council office of the EEC (European Executive Committee), and the registered legal operating base of PTPI Europe. Over the past three years, operations in Berlin were reduced, and the office eventually closed in December of 2016. Since January 2017, the team in Brussels have been delivering the following services: • Support to the officers and members of the EEC • Conducts analysis and provide guidance to the Regional Chair • looks after the communication, marketing and development needs of the Region • Delivers Regional gatherings i.e. European Conference and European Youth Forum • Act’s as a source of Regional information and scrutiny for World HQ There are 32 members registered through the Brussels office, most of whom do not attend regular meetings. Their motivation for membership, is to provide financial support to our many local and regional activities. Each year, our local members contribute around 700 euro, along with donations from employees at Google (400 euro), and funds from a number of live music events (200 euro). These funds are used for projects that benefit our youth membership, and to operate our office. In Belgium, our members host the following regular gatherings: • Weekly coffee mornings, every Thursday • Monthly networking and drinks evening, final Friday of each month • Three workshops each month covering a range of skills • Helpdesk operated every day for guidance on volunteering opportunities and general Q&A • Weekly work groups to deal with office work/admin/accounting/planning PTPI Europe is contacted on a regular basis by government, business and social groups in Belgium. They are looking for advice, guidance and support for the many projects and initiatives that touch on International people and locals, integrating better. Equally, when there are significant events in Belgium, such as the bombings of March 2016, or the Migrant crisis, we are contacted by international media for comment and interview. We have a strong reputation as an NGO that is important and is connected to issues that European’s hold dear. Additionally, we deliver projects in corporation with a range of partners, including: Toyota, Serve the City, JCI (junior chamber international), DHL, UPS, Google, Imagination Club, Entrepreneur Academy, TimesMore, the American Club of Brussels, Belgian Government, Ace of Brussels and the Scouts. Our newsletter, website and social media tools help us reach an estimated 7000 people monthly. There has been a chapter in Brussels since January 1970. The change of name to PTPI Europe took place in 2015. Where we live, work and play Belgium - Statistics & Facts The Kingdom of Belgium is a federal monarchy in Europe. Due to its diverse communities, Belgium has three official languages: Dutch, French and German. The two main communities in Belgium are the Dutch- speaking Flemish community and the French-speaking Walloon community. Belgium, Brussels in particular, plays a very important role in European politics and economy, as many international organizations have set up their headquarters in the country. Belgium is the host for the NATO headquarters, and in 1957, Belgium was one of the founding members of the European Union. With the exception of the plenary sessions in Strasbourg, the European Commission holds its meetings in the Berlaymont building in Brussels. In addition, the EU Council also meets in Brussels and has its headquarters in the Justus Lipsius building, with the EU Council presidencies having taken place in the city since mid-2004. The European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of Regions are also based there. Even though it is the capital and perhaps the most important city of the European Union, Brussels is not the largest city in Belgium. Antwerp is three times larger than Brussels in relation to the number of inhabitants. As a result of the increasing life expectancy and relatively stable fertility rate, the total population in Belgium has steadily increased over the past decade, amounting to more than 11 million inhabitants nowadays. The Belgian economy has been growing for the past decade. A constantly positive trade balancehas helped the steady increase of the gross domestic product, and it is estimated that the GDP in Belgium will reach decade high values by 2020. Belgium recovered from the global financial crisis fairly quickly, its inflation rate has decreased over the past years and it is estimated to level off between 1.8 percent and 1.9 percent from 2020. Belgium has been able to maintain a strong economy through the high value of exports, making it one of the leading export countries worldwide. Belgium’s most important export partner in 2016 was Germany, followed by France and the Netherlands. Source: https://www.statista.com/topics/2384/belgium/ For more information about PTPI in Belgium, do contact our President, Chalks Corriette: [email protected] - +32.478.482023 2 .