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<u><b>The Mandate</b></u>
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Established in 1980 by legislation, the Minist&egrave;re de la Communaut&egrave; fran&ccedil;aise is charged with the administration and regulation of cultural affairs in the French Community of Belgium. The Minist&egrave;re manages programs in education and continuing education, youth, sports and health.
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Through its arts and culture programs, the Minist&egrave;re provides financial support to the professional arts, community arts, amateur arts, music, theatre, dance, visual arts, crafts, cultural animation, heritage, folk or traditional culture, museums and galleries, libraries, preservation and conservation of artifacts, the preservation of the language, language training, training for artists and/or cultural workers, cultural industries, literary creation, book and magazine publishing, translation, media arts, film, video and television, multimedia, radio and arts education.
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The Minist&egrave;re de la Communaut&eacute; fran&ccedil;aise
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<li>Provides financial support to individuals in the realm of the arts and culture </li>
<li>Advises the national government on the arts/culture </li>
<li>Is responsible for government laws on the arts/culture </li>
<li>Implements national arts/cultural policies </li>
<li>Evaluates national arts/cultural policies </li>
<li>Conducts research on the arts/culture </li>
<li>Compiles and maintains national statistics and databases on culture </li>
<li>promotes public understanding and appreciation of the arts and culture </li>
<li>has the lead responsibility at the national level for coordinating international cultural relations and exchanges </li>
<li>is charged with issues of copyright and intellectual property </li>
<li>is responsible for the collective management of copyright </li>
<li>organises and manages cultural activities and events </li>
<li>manages halls and spaces for cultural activities </li>
<li>provides arts/cultural training and professional development </li>
<li>administers a public lending right program for books and printed matter </li>
<li>publishes books and/or magazines </li>
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<u><b>The Staff</b></u>
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The Minist&egrave;re is governed by the board of directors and the council of general administrators and senior officials. Central administration and external services of the Minist&egrave;re employ 4200 public servants.
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Some employees with responsibilities relating directly to the programs come from the arts/cultural community. The organisation includes cultural inspection services distributed throughout the Wallonie-Bruxelles territory.
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<u><b>Budget and Revenue Sources</b></u>
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The budget is an executive act carried out on a proposal by the government of the French Community and approved by Parliament. For the current year, the Minist&egrave;re has a budget of <span>&euro;533m </span>(approx US$611m) from an initial allocation and a contribution from the government provided under the act. Funds from government sources have increased over the past five years.
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<u><b>Programs of Financial Support for the Arts/Cultural Community</b></u>
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The Minist&egrave;re provides financial support to organisations, individuals and lower levels of government (provincial and municipal). Most aid programs are organised by discipline, sector or function.
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The funds can be used for:
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<li>creation </li>
<li>research and development. </li>
<li>production, presentation and exhibition </li>
<li>publishing </li>
<li>operations of an organisation </li>
<li>conservation and preservation </li>
<li>capital expenditures (new buildings, renovations, etc.) </li>
<li>deficit reduction. </li>
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<u><b>Assessment of Applications for Financial Support</b></u>
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Applications from cultural organisations are reviewed by the administration, and proposals are submitted to the Minister for approval or rejection. Results are assessed by committees, commissions and advisory committees. Applications from the major institutions and organisations are subject to program contracts.
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<u><b>Special Features of the Organisation</b></u>
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The Minist&egrave;re de la Communaut&egrave; fran&ccedil;aise includes several areas of expertise in addition to cultural and audiovisual.
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<u><b>Greatest Current Challenge</b></u>
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The refinancing of the French Community is the greatest challenge facing the Minist&egrave;re.
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<u><b>Greatest Current Strength</b></u>
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The strong point is the development of a proximity policy aimed at making culture accessible to all citizens.
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