The Belgian Federation: Can we improve the way its components are funded? Can we improve the way its leaders are elected?

2nd Public Event of the Re-Bel initiative
Thursday, the 17th of December 2009, 2-6pm

Registration, 13.30

Opening, 14.00
Philippe Van Parijs (Louvain)

14.05 – 15.45
Part I: Towards a more efficient and fair funding of Belgium’s Regions and Communities?

Background reading
The CES-VIVES proposal: Towards a more efficient and responsible financing mechanism for the Belgian federation [Download Paper]
The CERPE proposal: A new structure for the financing of Belgium’s Regions and Communities through personal income taxation [Download Paper]

Chair
Erik Schokkaert (Leuven & Louvain)

Introduction
Paul De Grauwe (Leuven) & Mathias Dewatripont (ULB): Background and key controversial issues

Two proposals
Dirk Heremans, Theo Peeters & Annelore Van Hecke (CES-VIVES, Leuven)
Robert Deschamps, Alexandre de Streel & Christophe Ernaelsteen (CERPE, Namur) 

Brief reactions
Philippe Cattoir (St Louis, Brussels)
AndrĂ© Decoster (Leuven) 

General discussion

Conclusion
Mathias Dewatripont (ULB) & Paul De Grauwe (Leuven) 

16.15 – 18.00
Part II: Towards a more efficient and legitimate working of Belgium’s federal democracy ?

Background reading
Re-Bel e-book 4: Electoral Engineering for a Stalled Federation

Chair
Bea Cantillon (Antwerpen)

Introduction
Kris Deschouwer (VUB): The Pavia Group’s Proposal

Comments
Rudy Andeweg (Leiden)
Laurent de Briey (Namur)
Bart Maddens (Leuven)

Response
Kris Deschouwer (VUB) & Philippe Van Parijs (Louvain)

General discussion

Closing
Paul De Grauwe (Leuven)

Reception, 18.00