Fri, 19 March 2010
Pregnant? Here is a quick guide for the expatriate parent-to-be in Belgium.
Research shows exercise can improve your health, confidence and quality of life.
The where, when, what type and how much in the capital.
A new, more faithful Mandarin translation is launched.
We look at how a recent directive from the EU aims to facilitate the process.
EU Commission makes business easier...in theory.
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Our short, serialised history of this "small country with no obvious start or finish" might help you understand it better.A small country with no obvious start or finish
Except for the North Sea, Belgium has no natural or even realistic boundaries. Logically, the estuary of the river Scheldt should be the boundary in the north, but both banks are Dutch. The other borders are simply lines on a map with no concern given to any physical characteristics. Like colonial territories, the major European players imposed Belgium's frontiers long before Belgium became an independent state.
Nevertheless, the Low Countries as a territory apart has actually existed in an elastic form from pre-history. The Low Countries as they are referred to here include the territories of Benelux today and sometimes a bit of Germany to the east and France to the south - at the same time - divided into independent provinces and principalities.
The first Belgians? The Omalians
Traces of man in Belgium since predawn history exists, but the earliest Neolithic group known are the Omalians, which were found only on the exceptionally fertile Hesbaye plateau near Liege. Neolithic man was the first farmer, experimenting with agriculture, stockbreeding and the use of metals.
Although the Omalians were seemingly present for thousands of years, they mysteriously disappeared leaving only their black, richly decorated pottery with loop handles for hanging, millstones and well-made tools. No graves, or urns of ashes have been found and most particularly, no weapons… indicating a peace loving people.
The Michelsbergs: the arrival of the warriors
The Michelsberg people who came onto the scene next were quite different, skilfully producing well-made weapons and tools. Operating a large quarry and flint mines, they actually manufactured implements in successive stages by workers in factories on site and commercially exported them to other tribes as far as England.
Great initiative - this has been my home for 45 years (ex-Briton). Please make sure in your continuation that you explain what united the Flemish and French elements into one unit. I mean it is, after all, invraisemblable!
This is a very silly, unhistorical attempt at another round by the Belgicists. Belgium is an artificial state. Today's descendants of the Celts do not live in Belgium - they live in corners of Europe (Brittany, Devonshire, Wales, etc.) that are not central to the ebb and flow of history.
Stop trying to impose some kind of Belgicist consciousness on foreigners and recognize that this is an artificial state whose end is hopefully soon.
This handy guide from Expertise in Labour Mobility includes how to write a CV, application procedure, interview dos and don'ts, Belgian management culture.
Belgium’s first alternative directory assistance services - available through the shortcode 14-14 - can now be accessed on the internet.
Moving to Belgium presents a host of challenges to expats, not least of all finding the right home.
The psychological effects of global mobility can be physically painful.
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