[M] Hello! I am just going to briefly disclose here that I had a hard time figuring out how to separate what is my intention and what is a fact. Therefore I have decided to write, in the text, openly about the intentions. I hope my fellow players can separate what the Belgian government would actually say (or just ask me) and what is a fact here. Thanks! [/M]

BRUSSELS, JANUARY 18, 1952.

It has recently come to the attention of the Belgian government that some of the more reform-minded colonial officers in the Belgian Congo, including the former Governor-General, Pierre Ryckmans, have decided to step forward and advocate for a small reform in the Belgian university system. According to Ryckmans and other colonial officers, it is Belgium's moral obligation to uplift the indigenous population, thereby showcasing Belgian cultural values, education, and worldview to the uneducated natives of the Congo. Some of the more right-wing reformist elements have also emphasized the importance of cultivating a local intellectual and administrative elite that can act as intermediaries between the colonial administration and the indigenous population.

Other pragmatic points have been put forth as well. These include the necessity of strengthening the loyalty of the évolue by providing them with an opportunity to prove and improve themselves, as well as the potential of this initiative to enhance Belgium's international image. Addressing the concerns of the more cautious officials, Ryckmans and others have also underscored that this program would be of extremely modest scope, with minimal financial implications for the Belgian government and a gradual approach that does not disrupt the existing colonial system.

Therefore, after highlighting the importance of these minor reforms to the colonial system, Ryckmans has unveiled the Auguste Baron Scholarship for African Advancement (ABAA/ABVO).

The Auguste Baron Scholarship for African Advancement (ABAA/ABVO).

The ABAA is an educational initiative created by the Belgian government in cooperation with the Ministry of Colonies and the Free University of Brussels. Its primary goal is to elevate the évolues in the Belgian Congo and Ruanda-Urundi. There are five overarching objectives:

1. To provide the évolues with a deep understanding of Belgian cultural values and education.
2. To instill a sense of belonging within the Belgian colonial structure among the évolues.
3. To equip the évolues with the resources necessary to propagate Belgian instruction in the Congo and Ruanda-Urundi.
4. To nurture the évolues' capacity to become the intellectual and administrative elite, effectively bridging the gap between the indigenous population and the Belgian government.
5. To address the concerns of the évolues and demonstrate their indispensable role within Belgium, as exemplar citizens of their respective regions.

This program will have a total capacity of thirty (30) colonial subjects at any given time. These colonial subjects will include twenty-four (24) Congolese, three (3) from Ruanda, and three (3) from Urundi. To be eligible for this program, colonial subjects will need to have either an évolue certification, a letter approved by those who have been working in the Bas-Congo Agricultural Scheme, or évolue parents. Additionally, they will be required to pass a small exam for program approval. Exams will be conducted on a necessity basis in both Léopoldville and Usumbura.

This program will also contain these courses:

The program is scheduled to commence on July 6, 1952. The creation of new materials is not expected to be time-consuming, primarily involving the simplification of existing learning materials or adaptation of other resources to meet the specific needs of the indigenous population. While it is intended to be a permanent initiative, it will undergo parliamentary review on July 01, 1956, and, pending approval in the first review, another review on July 01, 1960.

Given that the primary objective is cultural integration and the instillation of Belgian values, the program will encompass mandatory modules covering Belgian history and sociology. Additionally, it will offer bonus language proficiency courses in French and optional ones for Dutch. The program will also incorporate robust provisions to deter any attempts at ostracizing or negatively interacting with these exchange students. The overarching aim is to create a secure and conducive environment for learning and knowledge expansion.

Monitoring and evaluation of the program will occur annually, overseen by the Ministry of Education and Culture and the Ministry of Colonies. Following this evaluation, the Prime Minister will endorse the annual report as a sign of approval. The indigenous participants will also be subject to the same assessments, examinations, and coursework evaluations as Belgian students.

The funding for this program will be provided by the Belgian government, with a budget allocation of US$325,000, supplemented by additional investments as deemed necessary in the future.

SUMMARY

• The Belgian government is creating the Auguste Baron Scholarship for African Advancement program.

• The ABAA program has the intention of inculcating Belgian cultural values, as well as giving them an education on a series of courses, including: Agronomy, Economy, Medicine, Public Administration and Pedagogy. Included are also technical courses on: Land surveying and mapping, and Logistics.

• The ABAA is funded by the Belgian government with US$350 thousand.

• The ABAA will be able to support a total of 30 students, including 24 from the Congo and 6 from Ruanda-Urundi. These students will already have to be évolues or the children of évolues, as well as pass a small exam, to participate.