2. creating umbrella
movement
ACV KAV
The ACV defends the interests of its The KAV offers an open door to all women.
members: 1.7 million blue-collar Taking part in sporting, educational, cul-
things can change
for organisations
workers, white-collar workers, execu- tural or creative activities is a way of wid-
The earth is heating up, resulting in droughts, floods and other natural tives and civil servants. It can offer advice ening your horizons and meeting new
disasters. The ACW makes people aware of the dangers of climate change, and help with work-related issues. people. KAV also defends women’s
since often socially more vulnerable groups have to pay the highest price www.acv-online.be interests, particularly women who have
for global warming. But the ACW is also seeking out alternatives. One local less chances. www.kav.be
The ACW is a broad social movement in Flanders. It has thousands of volun ACW group organises collective buying of insulation materials. Another CM
The ACW is the umbrella body for christian workers’ The CM is a health insurance fund that KWB
ACW association tours the country with its “sustainable living” market trail-
teers, who can be found in almost every town and district in Flanders and not only makes its payments quickly and The KWB brings people together and helps
er, an easy place to find tons of information about energy-efficient living. organisations. The ACW and its partner organisations
Brussels. correctly, but offers made-to-measure them to create opportunities for the whole
stand up for social justice and a sustainable society. They
everyone can live better advice too. Its members enjoy a number family including leisure, training, social
getting policy
work together to put the concerns of common people on of benefits. A choice for CM means a action, sport and days out. The KWB is
These volunteers get your neighbourhood moving. They work for safer schools, Living under your own roof. Surely that’s what everyone wants - and pref- friendly health insurance fund where supported by hundreds of volunteers,
moving
adequate childcare and a healthy environment. They support for more social erably a roof that does not leak and does not force you to live in poverty. the agenda. But that isn’t all. The ACW also helps them to solidarity matters and people come first. working in individual groups to provide
Housing is expensive in Flanders and it continues to become more expen- www.cm.be these wide-ranging activities. www.kwb.be
housing, fairer taxes, more jobs and an income for everyone. sive. That is why the ACW works for more social housing, both for renting find solutions. The ACW gets society moving.
and for buying. Young families, older people and those on lower incomes FAMILIEHULP OKRA
The ACW listens to people to understand what concerns them most in their also have a right to proper, safe, pleasant accommodation. Familiehulp is the largest home care Retirement coming into view? If so, take a
lives. It brings people together to find lasting solutions to problems. It gets service in Flanders and Brussels. This look at OKRA, the meeting place for over
towards a world of solidarity, non-profit association offers a wide 55’s. Your income, your mobility, your
people moving so that they can be strong enough to deal with the problems in both here and in the south range of home care services including health care and other vital issues will all
their own neighbourhoods. Through its third world organisation Wereldsolidariteit, the ACW aims to household help, care for older people, be in good hands. Or how about some line
improve living conditions for people. Workers in other parts of the world help around pregnancy and childbirth, dancing or some digital photographic
cleaning and odd jobs. enhancement? There are more than 1,200
The ACW addresses people’s concerns in neighbourhoods and districts, towns exist on subsistence wages, work inhuman hours and receive no social The ACW listens to people’s concerns and tries to find
protection at all. Wereldsolidariteit shows that we can do something www.familiehulp.be local meeting places to choose from.
and regions. There are many different interests and people involved. Through about this. By informing people and encouraging them to stand together www.okra.be solutions. Streets don’t have any social fonction anymore,
for their rights. Or through petitions to promote Clean Clothes here in GROEP ARCO
its campaigns and petitions, cases and proposals, the ACW gets society moving. ARCO Group is a cooperative holding KAJ children have nowhere to play and older people cannot find an
Belgium. The clothes we wear should not be manufactured within inhu-
man conditions. company whose capital is provided by The KAJ is the ACW’s youth organisation. It affordable residential home. The ACW works to find fair and
social organisations and 840,000 private encourages young people to get involved,
partners. ARCO Group invests its funds make friends and make a difference to sustainable solutions. Everyone should have a place in society.
The ACW also promotes that message of solidarity here, together with
in the financial sector and in public wel- their future and the future of society.
Wereldsolidariteit. Local groups organise “world markets”, where snacks
and products from the South are presented. The ACW invites people from
fare businesses. www.groeparco.be www.kaj.be Sometimes people cannot deal with these problems by
different cultures to engage in conversation. Getting to know each other themselves. Sometimes policymakers have to find a solution.
leads to mutual respect.
The ACW puts pressure on them as a way of influencing policy.
social security is there for you The result is better solutions: solutions that take everyone
Everyone encounters social security at some time in their lives: when you into account; sustainable solutions for a better society.
are ill and drop in a sick note to the health insurance fund, when you are
unemployed, when you receive child benefit or when you retire. The ACW
We are stronger together. That is certainly true of the ACW.
is proud of our unique system of social security, and aims to give people
the best possible information about it. Older people, the unemployed, Working with other organisations improves our chances
those who are sick or have disabilities and families: all are entitled to
of reaching a successful solution. Grouping together our
economic security. In 2009 the ACW conducted an intensive campaign
around social security, culminating in a Social Festival in Antwerp for demands and presenting them to all democratic parties,
thousands of people.
discussing practical solutions with politicians who support
The ACW knows that the future will bring new challenges in the area the ACW’s social project: this, too, is part of the ACW’s work.
of social security and is engaged in the process of reflection about this
problem.
WelZiJNsZorG arKtos ment, vocational guidance, employ-
ment coaching, work experience and
good links with
Eradicating poverty in our society. Arktos organises training and sup-
Patrick Develtere, President of ACW : “We aim to
stronger togetherworking together
The Welzijnszorg organisation ad- port projects for young people. Its the social economy.
dresses this challenge by promoting work is built on a deep-rooted belief www.groepintro.be achieve our social and sustainable goals through
Traffic platforms
talking a better understanding of poverty, in- in their talents. In its five centres, policy and political channels. That Is why we, as a
strong partners
fluencing policy and supporting ac- Arktos works with a number of part- PaX CHristi
and together ACW groups are working to improve road safety and enhance the tivities aimed at combating social ex- ners to set up projects aimed at many Pax Christi Flanders is a peace mo- social movement, get involved in campaigns and
Together for a society with diversity local environment in villages, towns and cities throughout the clusion. www.welzijnszorg.be different areas (education, employ- vement inspired by the christian faith. talk to socially aware politicians. This way people’s
country. In many municipalities in Flanders they run a consultation ment, welfare, leisure and the local Through active nonviolence, it aims
votes make a difference twice: in our associations
On the street, at school, at work or in the village, we are seeing more and more people of different process called Traffic Platform together with associations, schools iNterNatioNaal CoMite environment). to inspire, develop and guide individ-
colours. Often, however, we do not really know our neighbours who come from different cultures. That is and citizens to promote road safety. Traffic Platforms get road users The IC is a federation of ethnic minority www.arktos.be uals and groups as they walk the path and in politics”.
moving: for example they encourage cyclists to wear reflective cloth- organisations and its purpose is to sup- that leads to a peaceful society. Pax
why we are seeking contacts with associations involving ethnic and cultural minorities. In many places
ing. The “do-it-yourself” competition, challenging young people to port their development. The IC works to GroeP iNtro Christi is built on three pillars: spir-
the ACW works with the International Committee, the umbrella organisation for about 200 self-help
promote equal opportunities and full The INTRO Group supports socially ituality, social action and training.
organisations for people who have migrated to Flanders. For example, they organised a joint debate on design their own fashionable fluorescent clothing and accessories,
engagement of people of different eth- vulnerable young people and adults www.paxchristi.be
asylum and immigration policy, to which both movements invited their members to engage in dialogue. has been a huge success.
nic origins in our multicultural society. in Flanders and Brussels through
www.internationaalcomite.be training, education, skills enhance-
