#2 VALENTINE DONCK

WHO AM I?

My name is Valentine Donck, I'm 35 years old and a mother of 3 wonderful children aged 8, 6, and 3. Enthusiastic and optimistic by nature, trilingual (Fr-Nl-En), I love getting involved in projects that mean something to me and others. I enjoy sports (cycling, jogging/trail running, cross-country skiing, etc.) and recharge my batteries through books and philosophy workshops that I facilitate for children.

I have always been passionate about working for the common good. It was therefore natural for me to study law at KU Leuven and UCL, before becoming a lawyer in a firm committed to defending human rights. Today, I am a legal expert in youth assistance and protection in a public service, where I work closely with the competent ministerial cabinet and field workers.

I also had the great opportunity 3 years ago to complete a 13-month family bike tour of Europe, which deeply marked me and brought me back to the heart of my life: the relationship with time and the bonds that unite us to others and to everything around us.

My Motivations

For the past 2 years, I have taken a closer interest in WO's local politics and have discovered other ways of "doing politics" elsewhere that work and innovate: closer to citizens, with a greater emphasis on listening and participation. I have also gained experience in various professional and citizen projects in which I have participated, including the co-creation of the Wezem'Move citizen movement, the parents' committee of the Letterbijter school, and the cooperative store "Bab'l Market" in Stockel.

I pay particular attention to projects that encourage conviviality, solidarity, well-being, and personal development (through sports in particular), and respect for nature and living things. I am convinced that childcare settings and schools are wonderful places that deserve all the necessary support to enable our (grand)children to acquire a solid foundation (in terms of knowledge and especially social and human skills) and to flourish in a healthy and happy environment.

If I were to be elected alderman, I pledge to dedicate 3 full days per week to it and to suspend my current employment. To do politics differently, I believe it is essential to have enough time to concretely carry out projects that not only fit into a real vision but for which it is essential to be available, "on the ground", and listening to all of you, inhabitants of WO whom we represent.

I want to embody this change for you and with you, and I feel ready to take on this exciting new challenge with the Horizon list!

My PRIORITies

Working with you and for you for a municipality that:

  • Breathes and lets others breathe: for the well-being of all, preserving green spaces and giving biodiversity a place back through an ambitious and realistic policy (planting trees, hedges, installing natural water points, etc.).

  • Involves and supports citizens: on the one hand, providing proactive information and encouraging citizens to participate in reflections and decision-making and, on the other hand, supporting citizen initiatives that have a positive impact on citizens.

  • Creates links: between generations, neighborhoods, schools, associations, local businesses, and independents, through meeting places, events, and projects.

  • Mobilizes for mobility: guaranteeing safe travel for all users (pedestrians, cyclists, motorists), especially where vulnerable users are concentrated (e.g. near schools) through awareness-raising, development, and the provision of alternatives.

For you and with you, towards a living Wezembeek-Oppem!