Ladies’ Day in Mons on 24th
April On Thursday, 24 April, you may have seen forty ladies walking about the streets in the heart of the city of Mons. They left SHAPE by bus, passed by the Grands Prés, visited the Collégiale Sainte Waudru, and received information about the city of Mons at the Auberge de Jeunesse. After visiting the Town Hall, they were welcomed by the Alderman of Tourism, Mr Nicolas Martin. They enjoyed a beer and food tasting, and a welcome pack with gifts and coupons from the vendors of Mons. They had a very nice lunch in a restaurant near the Grand Place and ended their trip by visiting some shops and enjoying the Provençal market during a beautiful sunny day. This Ladies’ day was the consequence of an initiative taken by our Liaison Officer, CDC Didier Parmentier with the kind cooperation of the city of Mons. ‘We want to reserve a cordial welcome to all Shapians, so that they feel at home wherever they might be in our city’, said Nicolas Martin. ‘This day is devoted especially to the ladies because they have an important role in their family and represent a real potential for the economy of the city’. Ladies’ Day falls under a larger programme devoted to newcomers aiming to facilitate their integration into their new environment.
‘I would be satisfied if the Shapians go back home with a good image of Mons and vicinity. Considering the passion for this type of organisation, we hope to redo this experience as soon as possible‘, continues Mr Martin. Additionally, this initiative received a wonderful echo from the ladies. ‘It is a marvellous initiative. When I arrived, I did not dare to come to Mons; I am now more at ease to walk in the city’, said Julie, an American lady living at SHAPE since July.
The concern for a better integration of Shapians from the city of Mons goes further and new initiatives are in preparation, including restaurant menus in foreign languages and language training for vendors. This first Ladies’ Day was a great success due to the great enthusiasm and cooperation of Mr Nicolas Martin; Mr Michel Vasko, assistant director of the Mons Tourist House; Tiphaine Storez and Sophie Grulois, responsible for Economic Trade; and Anne-Thérèse Verschueren, from the Manège. Special thanks to the team from SHAPE who made it possible: Mrs Christiane Hermant from OSACEUR; Mrs Cindy Bouviez from BE NMR; and Mrs Nadia Catalano from SCL. Thanks also to the team from Chièvres: Marie-Lise Banneton, Cis Spook and Sabrina Fermeuse, for their support.
CDC Didier Parmentier Host Liaison Officer