Jurisdiction of the DG

Culture, social policy, education, and employment – these are, in general terms, the DG’s areas of jurisdiction.

The DG is competent to draw up or enter into treaties and agreements with other Communities or States in all domains. International Relations being of prime importance for a small federal region sharing several frontiers.

Cultural policy

• Maintenance of the language
• Fine arts
• Cultural heritage and museums
• Arts and crafts education
• Media: Radio and Television, also libraries and media centres
• Youth and Adult education
• Sport
• Leisure and cultural activities
• Tourism and Socio-historical tourism
• Social advancement through cultural exchange
• Professional re-training and vocational training
• Advancement of research and research education

Person-related policy

• Family policy
• Social policy
• Health education and preventative medicine
• Accompaniment and care inside and outside healthcare facilities (primarily hospitals, homes for the elderly and foster homes)
• Support and consultative aid for particular social groups: protection of youth, reception and integration of immigrants, care for the disabled, and reinsertion support for former prisoners.

Education and schools

The DG administers kindergartens, primary and secondary schools, special needs schools, training and qualification schools, as well as an independent college.

For these institutions, educational content, language, special transport, financial assistance to families, staff salaries, care of infrastructure, facilities, buildings etc., all fall under the jurisdiction and responsibility of the DG.

Regional competences

The Belgian constitution envisages that the DG can enact, whether totally or in part, authorisations pertaining to the Walloon Region within its territory. Thus, by mutual agreement, protection of landscape, sites, monuments and listed buildings, as well as employment policy and the monitoring of district authorities, have all been transferred to the jurisdiction of the DG.