The challenges of local elderly policy are enormous. Many people assume they will be able to rely on a well-functioning trajectory of adapted living and care services when they grow old.

The government has announced, as part of the budgetary control, a series of recovery measures such as the job bonus for the low and medium loans, the creation of apprenticeship functions and a reduction of charges for the SME’s.

The financial sustainability of health care for both the society and the individual patient is under pressure. This is the case for all countries, including Belgium. Especially chronic care will prove to be a challenge to cope with.

Historically financial repression is part of the cocktail to reduce too high debt levels, where part of the bill is shifted to the saver or policyholder. This creates the need for flexibility as regards the regulation of complementary pensions.

Technology and practical skills are central in current education debates. We have to innovate to grow and in many countries, companies and policymakers plead for more technically educated personnel.

Now the amendments of the municipality decree and OCMW-decree are impending, a lot of politicians and official actors are intervening in this interesting debate and the apparent peace and calm on local, provincial and Flemish level is being disrupted.