The Brussels-Capital Region’s mission to Quebec

A delegation from Brussels visited Quebec in November 2023. Led by Anne Claes, Director-General of Brussels International, this mission helped strengthen the ties that have united Quebec and the Brussels-Capital Region for more than 20 years.

The mission to Quebec underlined the link that unites the Brussels-Capital Region (BCR) with the Province of Quebec since the signing of their cooperation agreement in September 2002. Its programme focused primarily on cultural heritage and digital industries.

The cultural heritage of Brussels in the spotlight

The Brussels delegation visited the open-air exhibition ‘Ninth Art Nouveau’. Subsidised by Brussels International as part of the Art Nouveau year, this exhibition is presented by the Belgian Comic Strip Center(BCSC) in collaboration with Québec BD, an institution of the Province of Quebec. It highlights the relationship between two jewels of cultural heritage in Brussels, namely comics and Art Nouveau, and will be presented at the Festival BD Québec in April 2024.

High-level meeting on town planning and heritage

Anne Claes, Director-General of Brussels International, met with Catherine Vallière-Roland, Deputy Mayor of the City of Quebec. Their constructive discussion on town planning and heritage was followed by a visit to old Quebec. The Brussels delegation learned about the heritage conservation policy of the City of Quebec through various examples of renovation, such as the Monastère des Augustines, a historical building which offers a wellness experience combining heritage and health, and the Petit Champlain, which is a cooperative of 45 merchants.

The protagonists and members of the delegation stand in a courtyard — Meeting between Anne Claes, director general of Brussels International, and Catherine Vallières-Roland, vice mayor of the city of Quebec.

Constructive exchanges between the administrations of Brussels and Quebec

A working meeting took place with representatives of the Quebec Ministry of International Relations and La Francophonie. Various ongoing projects were discussed in the areas of employment, town planning, and the environment. The latter discussion followed the signing, in January 2023, of the fourth agreement on soil decontamination that took place at the end of last October, with a first exchange of good practices and know-how between administrations.

The Brussels and Quebec representatives also discussed future collaboration in the fields of artificial intelligence and disability. Several actions have already been confirmed for 2024, such as the launch of a joint call for projects and the organisation of a joint monitoring committee in Brussels. This call for projects aims to promote mutual knowledge of political, institutional, social, and economic realities, as well as to encourage the exchange of know-how.

Four representatives pose in a meeting room — Constructive working meeting between the Quebec Ministry of International Relations and the Francophonie, and Brussels International.

Digital in Montreal

The Brussels delegation then travelled to Montreal to attend the fifth edition of the MTL connect digital eventwith hub.brussels and various companies, namely AppTweak, TheGreenShot, The Data Tank, XR4Heritage, U’HOPE Company, Symbiose Innovation and Gentis.

The presence of the Brussels-Capital Region (BCR) at this global event was a unique opportunity to share expertise, create synergies and consider partnerships for Brussels companies and the BCR. The regional city marketing strategy ‘Brussels, Perfectly Imperfect’ was also presented.

A speaker from FARI gives a presentation during the gathering — Brussels companies present during the MTL Connecte.

Creative industry: the circus in the spotlight

Representatives of the Brussels-Capital Region discovered Cirque Éloize, a Montreal contemporary circus company. Founded in 1993, this company creates unique shows combining circus art, music, dance, technology, and theatre. A fine example of a creative industry, it also develops tailor-made projects such as opening ceremonies for international events.

Disability and education

The mission ended with a visit to the new À Pas de Géant school and foundation, which meets the specific needs of autistic people, their families, and professionals in the field. The visit to this avant-garde centre for the education of autistic people was very inspiring for the Brussels-Capital Region. It connects with the Brussels Autism House project, with the ambition of giving autism a place in the heart of the city.

14 people exchange ideas at a meeting table — The delegation led by Brussels International visits the À Pas de Géant foundation.

The various visits and meetings in Quebec were extremely fruitful, as was the work conducted within the framework of the cooperation agreement which links the Brussels-Capital Region and Quebec. The collaboration with “La Belle Province” blossoms every year and reaches new areas.