1We researched how people feel about Belgium (as a brand). 2We captured the vocabulary and arguments used when

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Claud Sullivan
5 years ago
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2 2 What did we do? 1We researched how people feel about Belgium (as a brand). Which sentiment is predominant? Positivism or negativism? 2We captured the vocabulary and arguments used when people talk about Belgium. 3We checked whether people's attitudes changed in a discussion with others. Do people stick to their initial point of view or do they change their opinion?

3 3 How did we do it? 3 samples were identified: #1 Internal (BE) perspective National representative sample of Belgians (N=671) #2 External (UK) perspective National representative sample of Britons (N=691) #3 Inside-out perspective Deepdive of Muslims in Belgium together with Tiqah (N=241) The collection of the data took place via online panels in the beginning of 2017.

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5 5 Sentiment regarding Belgium Q: We would like to know how you see Belgium as a country in respect of all its facets. Below please state what you feel about Belgium. You can express your feelings on a scale of 0 to 10, with 0 being very negative and 10 being very positive.

6 6 Sentiment regarding Belgium The average scores regarding the Belgium brand for each sample: Belgians give an average score of 6.2 /10 Britons give an average score of 6.9 /10 Muslims in Belgium give a score of 6.0 /10

7 Another perspective of the sentiment score Haters Criticasters Positivists Lovers People who give scores between 0 and 2.4 out of 10 as to how they feel about Belgium.

7 7 Another perspective of the sentiment score Haters Criticasters Positivists Lovers People who give scores between 0 and 2.4 out of 10 as to how they feel about Belgium. People who give scores between 2.5 and 4.9 out of 10 as to how they feel about Belgium. People who give scores between 5.0 and 7.4 out of 10 as to how they feel about Belgium. People who give scores between 7.5 and 10 out of 10 as to how they feel about Belgium.

8 8 30% of Belgians love Belgium Haters Criticasters Positivists Lovers 6,3% 29,7% 12,5% 51,6%

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10 10 Analysis of the conversation CrowdPulse works with the vocabulary people use, instead of predefined statements.

11 11 Analysis of the conversation In Belgium Verbatims Topics Subthemes Themes

12 12 Analysis of the conversation In Belgium 06 main themes found in the conversation in the group of Belgians 16% Social security 14% Quality of life 19% Politics 20% Society 16% Finances, economy & work 15% Offer of the country

13 13 EXAMPLE Theme Subthemes Verbatims Each theme is quantified and qualitatively analyzed in the full research report 20% Society 8% Security 3% Freedom of speech Belgians have a nuanced opinion: the justice system and the police generally do their job correctly, we do not suffer war or large disasters. However, the justice system and police have their faults, and there is a shared feeling of our safety being under threat (cfr. terrorism) 6% Immigration and fugitives 3% Tensions between linguistic communities There are two lines of reasoning within this narrative: People who argue that living within a multicultural society is an enrichment and who criticize the inhumane fugitive policies Belgians who are of the opinion that there are too many immigrants, asylum seekers and fugitives. There is still tension with regards to the linguistic communities People talk about an increasing divide between the communities, and even of feelings of hatred The criticism comes both the Flemish and the Walloon side In Belgium, you are free. Free to express your opinion, to believe what you want, We are a democracy, built on equality However, the system is under pressure, there are too many rules impinging on our freedom Door de terreuraanslagen is gebleken dat de veiligheid in ons land niet optimaal is, daar is intussen al wat aan gedaan. Een land dat zich vredelievend opstelt naar de rest van de wereld. «Malgré les événements récents, la Belgique me paraît être un pays sûr.» We zijn tot nu toe toch gespaard van grote natuurrampen. «La côté cosmopolite: la Belgique et un pays qui accueille une population issue de la planète entière. Par ailleurs le fait qu'elle abrite la capitale de l'europe en fait un pays très cosmopolite au niveau européen.» Multicultureel, invloeden in België van vele culturen doorheen de geschiedenis is een verrijking, wel spijtig dat extremen denken dat ze hun cultuur mogen komen prediken. Er moet nog meer werk gemaakt worden tegen immigratiepolitiek: er zijn momenteel genoeg immigranten. Samenraapsel van twee stammen zonder een enkele band. «Tout est communautaire sous pression flamande.» «La petite guerre entre les flamands et les wallons n'est entretenue que par certains politiciens de n'importe quel parti. Y trouvent t-ils leur intèrêt? Oui certainement. On est tous égaux.» «C'est un pays où règne encore la liberté de penser, de s'exprimer, de croire ou ne pas croire.» Als inwoner verliezen we stukje bij beetje onze vrijheid, teveel regels en te weinig eigen verantwoordelijkheid. Democratisch, spijtig dat populisme hier ook de kop opsteekt.

14 14 Deepdive #1 Regions of Belgium What are the differences between the two language groups? What divides and what connects us?

15 15 Sentiment regarding Belgium Dutch-speaking Belgians give an average score of 6.3 /10 French-speaking Belgians give an average score of 6.0 /10

16 16 There are more negative voices among French speakers Dutch speakers French speakers 05% 08% Haters 10% 15% Criticasters 53% 50% Positivists 32% 27% Lovers

17 17 What still connects us? Not the classic symbols The following do: 1 The quality of life 2 Frustrations about the operation of the political structure

18 18 Where are the biggest differences? 3 illustrations based on the verbatims of people

19 19 Consumer prices are far too high compared to neighbouring countries. Dutch speakers The social situation in Belgium is increasingly falling apart. French speakers

20 20 Biggest differences 2. Feeling regarding current policy The conservative parties in power at the moment are causing a decline of Belgium. French speakers I think economically we are on the right track at the moment. Dutch speakers

21 21 If everyone had a slightly more positive attitude everything would come good. Dutch speakers The quality of every day life is in free fall and I don t think it will improve. French speakers

22 22 Deepdive #2 Muslims in Belgium The inside-out perspective, how do Belgians with a Muslim background view Belgium

23 23 Sentiment regarding Belgium The average score regarding the Belgium brand Belgian Muslims give a score of 6.0 /10 Belgians give an average score of 6.2 /10

24 24 Sample Belgian Muslims Sample Belgium general Politics Quality of life Finances, economy & work Quality of life Attitude Belgium regarding Muslims Offer of Belgium Social Social security Finances, economy & work Social security Politics Society Offer of the country

25 25 There is a field of tension between rational and emotional well-being Muslims in Belgium struggle with the question: Can I really feel at home in Belgium?

26 26 Rational well-being Belgium meets the basic needs: Strong healthcare system Education system Social security Democracy Social security Quality of life Finances, economy & work Compared to homeland: Healthcare based on status and origin Education for the rich, the rest has no access No social security Unreal democracy

27 27 Emotional well-being No emotional bond with Belgium: They don't feel at home No safety or security Second-class citizen and deportable - no attachment to the country Belgium thus becomes the country where my house is, but not my home.

28 28 Emotional well-being Attitude Belgium regarding Muslims Offer of Belgium Politics Social Belgian Muslims hit a wall of distrust Media Muslim is perpetrator, rarely the victim Populist politicians scaremongering Increasing racism and discrimination it is no longer not done to make racist statements Gap between citizens Muslim and non- Muslim live separate lives

29 Hope springs eternal! Bonding and mutual respect I just want to say that Belgium is my country, a beautiful country, my home, I could never live in another country.

29 29 Hope springs eternal! Bonding and mutual respect I just want to say that Belgium is my country, a beautiful country, my home, I could never live in another country. After all, I was born and bred here. I try to make contact and always be kind and good for the people around me. You can see this improves the bonds with neighbours and schoolmates. Prejudices will never disappear, but as an individual you can do something about it. Some people do understand Muslims and treat us and live among us respectfully. There have been many times when I felt excluded, different to anyone else. But then there are others (Belgians) who support me and are very interested in me. Despite the fact I am not a native Belgian.

30 30 And the Britons? Rather dull country with only some interesting architecture in the large towns to boast about.

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32 32 Impact of the conversation How many people changed their opinion after talking to someone else? 11% 20% 26% 11% 22% 23% BE UK MUS 69% 63% 54%

33 33 Impact of the conversation In Belgium Initial sentiment Final sentiment 06% 08% Haters 13% 14% Criticasters 52% 53% Positivists 30% 25% Lovers

34 Identifying effective arguments Global or by target group Arguments with a strong positive impact Arguments with no meaningful impact Arguments with a strong negative impact Dummy argument (part

34 34 Identifying effective arguments Global or by target group Arguments with a strong positive impact Arguments with no meaningful impact Arguments with a strong negative impact Dummy argument (part of the full research) Dummy argument (part of the full research) Dummy argument (part of the full research) Dummy argument (part of the full research) Dummy argument (part of the full research) Dummy argument (part of the full research) Dummy argument (part of the full research) Dummy argument (part of the full research) Dummy argument (part of the full research)

Mister Minister and President of the Administrative Council, Íñigo Méndez de Vigo;

OPENING CEREMONY Tuesday, 8 November 2016, 11:00h Mister President of the European Commission, Jean-Claud Juncker; Mister Minister and President of the Administrative Council, Íñigo Méndez de Vigo; Dear