Behavior After Treaty

Unconventional views on the multifaceted relationship between the Netherlands and Flanders
What can we do better together?
All sorts of roads that diverged after the separation of North and South are now converging again. Since 1980, Flanders and the Netherlands have delegated authority over their common language to the Language Union, a unique supranational institution. In 1995, both countries signed a Cultural Treaty. And today? Does the balance sheet of Flemish-Dutch cooperation show more than linguistic and cultural rapprochement?
Not only artists, theatre makers and authors, but also students, teachers, top businessmen, weekend tourists, public authorities and healthcare institutions look across the border. Welfare and education are ready for further collective exploitation. More efforts (will) go to economic issues such as the Iron Rhine and the deepening of the Scheldt, political-diplomatic cooperation and the living and living culture. Language and literature policy also faces challenges: Europeanisation, the anglicisation of higher education and a more integrated literature policy.
In view of the European enlargement, it is useful to reflect on what we can do better together. Twenty-two authors give a 'quirky' view of the Flemish-Dutch cooperation yesterday, today and tomorrow, based on their expertise and social position. Both ministers-presidents were also prepared to enrich this kaleidoscopic book with their vision.