Round-table meeting on Culture, Health and Well-being

 

On wednesday 2nd of July 2025, the Belgian partner (JEF) of the Film in Hospital project took part in a roundtable discussion on the crucial link between culture, health and wellbeing, organised by the Flemish government. It was an inspiring and insightful day that focused on the need for structural collaboration between the cultural and health sectors.

The event opened with a welcome speech by Caroline Gennez, Flemish Minister for Wellbeing and Culture. She underlined her commitment to strengthening the ties between both sectors through concrete policy measures. To anchor this collaboration structurally, a new policy line will be developed, and a dedicated coordinator has already been appointed to actively build bridges between culture and health. The Minister stressed that the connection between cultural education and cultural wellbeing must be secured for the long term, capturing her vision with the statement: “Wellbeing is culture and culture is wellbeing.”

This was followed by a presentation from Kornelia Kiss, who shared insights from the Culture for Health Report. Kornelia was already known by the Film in hospital project – as she wrote the introduction of our Toolbox of Good Practices, which we published in 2024. During her presentation, she explained how the report’s findings provide clear evidence that arts and cultural activities can make a significant contribution to health and wellbeing, and why policymakers should use this knowledge to shape supportive frameworks and funding streams.

In smaller working groups, we then explored what is needed to move from inspiring projects to sustainable practice. The discussions focused on the importance of long-term funding, cross-sectoral partnerships, shared goals, and clear roles and responsibilities. It became clear that more awareness, structural support, policy incentives and dedicated resources are needed to embed cultural initiatives as a standard part of wellbeing and healthcare strategies.
The roundtable was a valuable opportunity to exchange ideas and build connections. It reinforced our belief that culture and health are deeply intertwined, and that the Film in Hospital project is more important and relevant than ever.