To provide food for thought, debate and inspiration for all participants, we have invited 8 speakers.
To kick off the Colloquium, 2 speakers will share their experiences and ideas on questions that all public sector leaders are asking themselves:
1. How can we reinvent ourselves?
Since 2020, Charleroi City Council has been determined to embark on an ambitious transformation plan called "C possible (it's possible)". After overcoming a number of challenges over the years, the City has undergone a veritable metamorphosis, marked by bold changes and far-reaching redefinition. As soon as he took up his post, Lahssen MAZOUZ made a firm commitment to turning the page on the past and uniting the 3,200 employees around a positive, shared vision.
His main objective? To restore a sense of meaning, confidence and pride within the teams. Drawing on his experience, his convictions and his thoughts, he will reveal the recipe applied at Charleroi to establish this new collaborative dynamic with a view to creating an environment conducive to individual fulfilment and collective success.
Lahssen Mazouz - Directeur général de l'Administration de la Ville de Charleroi
2. How can we strengthen trust between all the key players?
Françoise has worked at the heart of political activity, in cabinets, where strategic choices are made, where citizens' expectations are the basis for their decisions. Since June 2021, she has held the position of General Administrator at the AVIQ, an organisation with more than 900 employees that is constantly concerned about the health of Walloon citizens. She will explain how she works to strengthen the bonds of trust between all the key players - citizens, politicians and public services. Without this mutual trust, it is utopian to improve anything.
Françoise Lannoy - Administratrice générale de l'Agence pour une Vie de Qualité (AVIQ)
Afternoon speakers
During the afternoon, each participant will be able to take part in one of 6 workshops. Each of the 6 workshops will focus on one of the main concerns of Belgian public sector leaders:
1. How to develop shared ambitions?
2. How can we make life easier for beneficiaries?
3. How can we do better with less?
4. How can we attract new talent?
5. How do you retain new talent?
6. How do we change mindsets?
Each workshop will start with a testimonial related to the theme of your workshop.
Following a maximum 30-minute presentation, participants will work in small groups to :
- Imagine how to apply the best practices of the witness
- Share their constraints and realities
- Find practical solutions together
The results of the 6 workshops will then be shared in plenary. Finally, as from 10 May, a summary will be published on our website.
See below for a description of the 6 testimonials.
1. How can we develop shared ambitions?
With the testimony of Ariane Bauwens - Director General of the CPAS of Chaumont-Gistoux
The Commune of Chaumont-Gistoux has taken the gamble of bringing together and pooling various social services in a single centre. The aim is to facilitate access and management for all beneficiaries. How did they manage to create a common vision and shared ambitions? What levers did they use to get staff to put aside their rivalry and preconceptions of other services? Ariane will tell us how her teams rose to the challenge.
2. How can we make life easier for beneficiaries?
With the testimony of Lionel Bonjean - Director General of SPW Economy, Employment, Research
Public services are at the service of both citizens and businesses. To ensure their profitability and growth, and to enable them to hire staff, businesses need the support and expertise of public services. Lionel Bonjean will explain how SPW is working to simplify procedures, speed up services to businesses and help them achieve their objectives.
3. How can we do better with less?
With the testimony of Nancy Schroeders - Director at the Province of Walloon Brabant
The Province of Walloon Brabant, like many large public organisations, has had to rethink the way it operates in order to cope with budget cuts and the assumption of new responsibilities without additional funding. How can we continue to meet the needs of the population when we have fewer resources? Nancy Schroeders is Director of Culture, Sport & Tourism. She and her colleagues will explain how they have managed to unite and mobilise their teams to make them more efficient.
4. How to attract new talent?
With the testimony of Benoit Wanzoul - Managing Director of Société Wallonne du Logement
The attractiveness of the public sector is a key concern for leaders. It is essential if we are to bring in new blood and new talent to meet the challenges ahead. Benoit Wanzoul will explain how his teams have created a new image, defined new standards and new methods to make people want to apply to the Société Wallonne du Logement.
5. How do you retain new talent?
With the testimonies of Irène Couloubaritsis - HR Director of the Université Libre de Bruxelles and Candice Marabotti, Head of the Well-being Unit
The administrative services of the Université Libre de Bruxelles began their transformation at the time of Covid. The management culture, change management and human resources management have been rethought. In 2024, the HR team is embarking on a culture of 'well-being'. Far from stereotypes and regulatory aspects, they are seeking to understand and objectify what motivates employees to remain loyal to their employer.
6. How can mentalities be changed?
With testimonies from Eric Smit - Managing Director SWDE & Olivier Hurez - Change leader SWDE
To anticipate tomorrow's challenges and opportunities, SWDE has introduced a new approach to its core business. The aim is to specialise our business lines in order to ensure the long-term future of our infrastructure and expertise. To achieve this, we have had to rethink our structure and the way we operate, and also plan for a real change in mentality.
Eric Smit and Olivier Hurez will show us how they approach this type of project.
For more information, please contact us at info@nextmanagement.be