Walter Zinzen

Dutch
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Who is Walter Zinzen?

Thanks to a long career in journalism, VRT icon and Africa expert Walter Zinzen developed into a formidable television journalist and a sharp but fair interviewer. During 35 years with the public broadcaster, he spent time as a reporter (mainly on Africa and Congo under Mobutu), presenter and chief editor for Het Journaal, Terzake and Panorama.

Walter Zinzen possesses a great deal of knowledge and is known for his clear insights. He is a passionate storyteller and always has the audience hanging on his every word.

    Mens erger je (Get thinking)

    As a lecture, Mens erger je is an indictment as well as a call for action. So that Flanders doesn’t become a democratically elected single-party nation. It is a very personal and committed plea by Walter to have a proper debate in our country. He is annoyed by the fact that our parliamentary democracy is not very democratic. By the lies, demagogy and contradictions of the N-VA, and the excessive - primarily uncritical - attention this party receives from the media.
    By the arrogance with which Islamophobes - and other phobes - proclaim the superiority of western culture without even knowing anything about other cultures.
    By the short-sightedness of our idle politicians, who spend a year and a half negotiating about the splitting of BHV and then quickly write a paragraph on international policy and stuff it into the coalition agreement.

    The world is a theatre, but who is doing the directing

    During this lecture, Walter joins you in questioning whether our parliamentary democracy actually exists and takes a critical look at the role of the media and multinationals. When we go to vote, we elect men and women to manage the country on our behalf. Well, that's the theory. Because, in practice, Flemish-speakers can only vote for Flemish politicians and French-speakers can only vote for Walloon politicians. Our representatives have nothing to say when the prime minister and his (or her) ministers are appointed. Coalition-related discussions don’t take place in the parliament and coalition agreements are negotiated elsewhere.

    Legislative work is mainly carried out by the government, although the constitution has assigned this task to members of parliament. Parliament, or certainly the government, is simply expected to approve all government proposals without stopping to think. All proposals by the opposition are outvoted. Ministers show great contempt for our members of parliament.

    Another side of Africa

    When people talk of Africa, they are quick to mention famine, war and corruption. This is not illogical, but is not entirely truthful either. The continent also has another side. During his lecture, Walter looks past the clichés and offers you another view of the dark continent. For instance, he addresses economic progress and takes a deeper look at the diverse cultures and human values that westerners could learn from.

    Congo

    A new president was appointed in Congo in early 2019: Felix Antoine Tshisekedi. Although everyone knew he was not the real winner of the elections, the Congolese population accepted him in the hope that he would improve their living conditions. But that did not happen: every day, people in the east are being killed by militias, corruption remains rife, poverty is increasing and roads are as bad as ever. Tshisekedi is powerless. The real boss is still former president Kabila.

Walter Zinzen presented an excellent lecture; the audience was satisfied!

Lieven Stock

Oxfam Wereldwinkel Kortrijk vzw

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