American embassy gauges diversity policy at Flemish universities: among other things ‘gender ideology’ and vision of China are discussed

Earlier it became known that European companies of the US government have received a letter and a questionnaire, asking whether they have anti -discrimination programs within the company. Now it also appears that certain Flemish universities received a similar survey by the American embassy. It is not clear whether all universities received the letter.

« The survey contains questions about international ties, risk management, diversity programs and the release of freedom of expression of the universities, » said Flemish MP Brecht Warnez (CD&V) in the Education Committee of the Flemish Parliament Thursday. Based on the answers, points are granted that the US government will keep track of program provisions, it sounds.

Anti-American ideologies

The Belga news agency has been able to view the questionnaire in question. The questions go much further than purely information about policy. For example, universities are explicitly asked whether their projects do not contain elements of diversity, equality and inclusion (dei). Moreover, they are being polled or universities on climate justice. It is also asked whether the institutions have ties with countries such as China, Russia, Iran or Cuba. Universities must also indicate in the survey that they distance themselves from communist or anti-American ideologies.

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The questions about women’s rights are also striking: institutions must confirm that their projects are protecting women against « gender ideology ». Completely in line with the Policy of the Trump policy, there are also questions about promoting « patriotic values », respecting national sovereignty and limiting migration. A few questions are downright remarkable: for example, whether the institutions contribute to the inflow of synthetic drugs such as Fentanyl in the US, and whether they take sufficient anti -terrorism measures against their employees.

Uncertainty

Education minister Zuhal Demir (N-VA) confirmed the existence of the questionnaire in a response. « At the moment there remains uncertainty about the nature and consequences of the questionnaire. What is clear is that our norms and values ​​in the knowledge institutions should not be influenced from abroad, » she said. Moreover: she has coordinated this with Flemish Prime Minister Matthias Diependaele, based on his authority for foreign policy and research. According to Demir, there has even been a maintenance between the Flemish Department of Chancellery and Foreign Affairs, together with Flanders Investment & Trade and the American embassy about the questionnaire.

Moreover, this week an interdepartmental consultation is planned about the broader relationship with the US, Demir said. The questionnaire would also be discussed in this. « The evolutions in the US are worrying. Exceptioning from outside is inadmissible. We have never allowed that to someone like (the Turkish president) Erdogan. Our universities are a beacon of free thinking. We also have to defend that message in democracy, » Demir concluded.