Laureates chosen for Flemish Community Honours
The annual awards that recognise outstanding citizens will be handed out on Flemish Community Day
16 recipients
This year there are 16 recipients of the award. “Flemish Community Honours is a recognition of those who have contributed to the positive image of Flanders through their individual, exceptional talents,” said Geert Bourgeois as one of his final acts as minister-president of the region. “We want to give them this special attention on our Flemish holiday.”
Any Flemish minister can suggest a recipient. There is no prize money associated with the award; each laureate receives a statuette and a certificate. The honours will be bestowed at the annual 11 July reception at Brussels City Hall.
The 16 recipients this year are:
Harpist Anneleen Lenaerts (pictured)
Professor emeritus and historian Lode Wils
Melexis CEO Françoise Chombar
Former education secretary-general Georges Monard
Studio 100 founders Hans Bourlon en Gert Verhulst
Actor Chris Lomme
Dirk Rombaut, director of software developer Passwerk, which employs people with autism
Vincent Leus, chair of anti-drink-driving fund Emilie Leus
Paul Vande Walle, chair of OVK, which supports parents of children killed in traffic accidents
Jean-Pierre Van Baelen, chair of Olo children and family services
Jurn Verschraegen, director of the Dementia Expertise Centre
Ajit Shetty, honorary chair of Janssen Pharmaceutica
Soudal founder Vic Baron Swerts
Neurologist Bart van Wijmeersch
Professional cyclist Stig Broeckx
Professor Jean-Pierre Kruth, a world authority on 3D printing
