{"id":1764,"date":"2026-06-16T21:46:25","date_gmt":"2026-06-16T21:46:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.uantwerpen.be\/global-pen-friends\/?p=1764"},"modified":"2026-06-16T21:53:47","modified_gmt":"2026-06-16T21:53:47","slug":"healthy-lives-shared-futures-a-cross-cultural-dialogue-on-sdg3","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.uantwerpen.be\/global-pen-friends\/healthy-lives-shared-futures-a-cross-cultural-dialogue-on-sdg3\/","title":{"rendered":"Healthy Lives, Shared Futures: A Cross-Cultural Dialogue on SDG3"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>This letter exchange between Judit and Alissa examines efforts to achieve SDG 3\u2014good health and well-being\u2014in Belgium, Morocco, and Niger. Through personal experiences and critical discussion, they address healthcare systems, social inequalities, mental health, and policy challenges, highlighting the importance of combining individual responsibility with strong public systems to improve access and quality of care for all.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-vivid-red-color has-text-color has-link-color has-x-large-font-size wp-elements-8308b5a9d0adb824ad08e7d3cd66da26 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>LETTER 1<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">JUDIT STEVERLYNCK <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Hello!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I am Judit Steverlynck, a Belgian student at University of Antwerp. I am studying (bridging\/switching program for) Master Social Work after I accomplished (Professional Bachelor) Work and Organizational Applied Psychology. Further I volunteer in a youth movement: KSA; it\u2019s a very typical youth movement here in Belgium. We make activities for children every saturday, a summercamp in july(between 6 \u2013 18 years old) and we organise couple events to finance the summercamp. Further I really like to read, bake and being creative (painting, puzzles, Lego, etc.). What about you?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For this project we both chose the SDG 3: Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For me personally, I find this SDG very important. I truly believe that the mind and the physical body are connected to each other. &nbsp;A dutch saying: \u201cEen gezond geest in een gezond lichaam\u201d, which is a famous quote that comes from Latin: \u201cMens sana in corpore sano\u201d (By Juvenalis). This connection between mind and body really give quality to your life. Maybe throughout this belief and the quote, this might be an (underlining) reason why I study (Work and Organizational) applied psychology and now study for Master Social Work. Understanding the mind (psychology) and making sure everyone (even the vulnerable people (in society) can get access to a healthy life (through institutions: hospitals, sportcenters, etc).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When I think about SDG 3 in Belgium, I immediately think of a very typical Belgian system: social security. Social security is a public system that protects people against loss of income and provides basic provisions in case of illness, unemployment, old age, or other vulnerable situations. It\u2019s a system intended to guarantee income or care for individuals or families who are temporarily or permanently unable to provide for their own livelihood (for example: unemployment, illness, disability, retirement, etc.). It is a system acting as a kind of safety net to prevent poverty. Social security is provided through social insurance (with premium payments) and benefits such as unemployment benefits, health insurance, disability benefits, etc., but also through social provisions by the government if one is unable to do so oneself, such as child benefit (in dutch: kinderbijslag\/groeipakket) and social assistance (a form of poverty reduction by the government and a premium-free and conditional benefit based on the &#8216;means-tested&#8217;). This social security system makes it possible that all people (young, old, rich, poor, etc.) have access to healthcare. The low cost, reimbursement (in dutch: terugbetaling), good accessibility, low-threshold aid services\/care provision (in dutch: laagdrempelige hulpverlening), etc). That&#8217;s why I\u2019m in favour and proud Belgian; because of our welfare system and social security. And because of that system, I am also one of the few Belgian that is happy to pay taxes to get a possibility to live a healthy good life in return.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">To fulfil this SDG and the social security system (in Belgium), we work with government institutions and also with (quite a lot) low-threshold aid services\/primary care. Low accessible care providers like nurses, remedial educators, psychological consultants, Social Workers, etc. These care providers have a narrow relationship\/connection with the government, which this can be good and bad at the same time. The government can finance these people and organisations but at same time can pressure them. This pressure is happening right now in Belgium with the new government (since 2025); where they give less money\/ less grants (in dutch: subsidies) to the social sector of society. With this, it puts more pressure on the organisations to do their qualitative work with less resources; that is the pressure. Here we can ask question to ourself: what can we do with this pressure put on careworkers\/on low accessible aid services (like Social Workers) to still do qualitative work for people in society?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Withing the aid services\/ care provision (in dutch: hulpverlening), we also talk about mental health care. Through my eyes I could say we improved, especially if we compare it to couple years ago. Since a long time\/couple years ago, mental illness was not always believable as a real sickness. So viewing through this point of view, I feel I could say we improved. An example that the mental illness burn-out was 10-15 years old seen as a \u2018laziness\u2019, and now as \u2018mental illness\/ energy problem\u2019. With this view point, I believe we\u2019re going to make improvement; quality takes a while.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I could say we\u2019re in a \u2018between-time\u2019; time to still work on better improvements, but we also improved. What do we do in this \u2018between-time\u2019? Do we just wait our time and keep having small steps towards improvement to a better quality of the services? Like an example here in Belgium with a campaign they recently announced. The campaign \u201cKom van dat gat af\u201d (\u201cGet off that (lazy) butt\u201d) is organised by the government and semi-governmental organisation VRT (Flemish Radio &amp; Television Broadcasting Organization). It\u2019s a campaign to get people to sit less longer, be more active and move throughout the day; to in long-term improve a better healthy life-style. Specifically this campaign is focused on 1 day (April 2<sup>nd<\/sup>), were my question is: why only make it one day and not a long-term campaign were you find tips and tricks to fulfil the goal. Or do you not wait and give a not qualitative service to people? Like the problem here in Belgium with very long waitlist or no good referral to quality help with to services of Mental Health services\/hospital.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Besides these formal (government) institutions, I also personally believe that little things you do yourself can be good to fulfil this SDG. Little things like: \u2018How do I organise my day? Will I go have a workout or have a run before I have to go to work\/school, or will I rather stay in my bed and sleep\u2019. These little things \u2018choices\u2019 also support whether you have a healthy lifestyle or not (to fulfil SDG 3).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We do have to keep in mind that we need both: our little things \u2018choice\u2019 in daily life AND the formal (government institutions). We need both to decide how you organise your day, how you organise school (system) and work (system)?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In Belgium is the labormarket very strongly around the knowledge economy and bureaucratism. With this it means that jobs with a lot of knowledge and diploma requirements are higher valued, promoted and rewared than the practical (technical) jobs. A very simple example to illustrate this: a professor in University gets more paid then a cleaner or plumber. Even though because of knowledge economy and bureaucratism we see \u2018knowledge jobs\u2019, the practical (technical) jobs are also essential and important. But these jobs are less attractive to do due to the low status, low wage and low valuation. The need that these practical jobs are essential, I also see in discussions (and frustration) on Facebook. But in my opinion you need both: the \u2018knowledge jobs\u2019 and practical (technical) jobs in society. It could be logical to make the pay more equal, make the wage gap smaller and\/or make the practical jobs more attractive and \u2018normal\u2019 to choose as a career choice. This is what never sits right with me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Reason why I deviate from the distinction between practical and knowledge office jobs is, because this also indirectly affects SDG 3; it\u2019s a \u201cchoice\u201d of how you organise your day\/system to whether you have a healthy lifestyle. In a knowledge office 9-to-5-job there is a lot of sitting during the day, time pressure; which makes it harder to organise your day to have a fully qualitative healthy day were you cook and eat healthy and do a sport.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Even with this society organising this way (knowledge economy and bureaucratism), I could see development in Belgium toward the SDG 3 within the lines of this kind of organising society.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The school system (from elementary to high school) (still) rely on an 8 hours \u201csit and listen\u201d model, so to still fulfil SDG 3 they add tools\/gadgets that encourage more movement during the day. Tools\/gadgets like wobbly chairs, exercise balls, bicycles under school desks, standing tables, etc. During the years become more common to make students be more active, less sitting all day.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The implementing of these gadgets\/tools was also an attempt into the workplace, but this mostly appears in (semi-)government organisations. A likely reason is that they have more funding, facilities like sport rooms, lower work pressure, making such initiatives\/facilities easier to implement.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Overall, you see that Belgium tries to fulfil this SDG 3 and give pretty good access of aid services\/care provision(by the social assistance system) to make sure everyone (all people, all ages) have a good, healthy lives and well-being. But you can always improve it!&nbsp; Belgium makes progressive to work on it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">How does your country Morocco try to fulfil the SDG (Sustainable Development Goal) 3: Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Greetings,<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Your Global Pen Friend<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Judit Steverlynck<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-vivid-red-color has-text-color has-link-color has-x-large-font-size wp-elements-ef9cb738dec331a8b781661e4ae08025 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>LETTER 2<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">ALISSA CHAIBOU SOULEY<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Bonjour Judit,<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Merci encore pour ta lettre tr\u00e8s int\u00e9ressante. J\u2019ai vraiment appr\u00e9ci\u00e9 d\u00e9couvrir ton parcours, ton engagement ainsi que ta vision de l\u2019ODD 3. J\u2019ai particuli\u00e8rement aim\u00e9 ta r\u00e9flexion sur le lien entre le corps et l\u2019esprit, avec laquelle je suis totalement d\u2019accord.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Pour me pr\u00e9senter un peu plus, je m\u2019appelle Alissa Chaibou Souley, je suis une \u00e9tudiante nig\u00e9rienne en Master 1 de Management des Organisations, \u00c9conomie Sociale et Solidaire et Innovation Sociale (MOESSIS) \u00e0 la Facult\u00e9 des Sciences Juridiques, \u00c9conomiques et Sociales d\u2019Oujda, au Maroc. Je suis \u00e9galement titulaire d\u2019une licence en sciences \u00e9conomiques et gestion obtenue \u00e0 la FSJES de Mekn\u00e8s.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Je suis passionn\u00e9e par le cin\u00e9ma, la cuisine et les voyages. J\u2019ai \u00e9galement \u00e9t\u00e9 engag\u00e9e dans des associations \u00e9tudiantes au Maroc. J\u2019ai occup\u00e9 le poste de tr\u00e9sori\u00e8re et charg\u00e9e des affaires culturelles au sein de l\u2019ANEM (Association des Nig\u00e9riens \u00c9tudiants et Stagiaires au Maroc \u2013 Mekn\u00e8s), puis charg\u00e9e de l\u2019organisation et des affaires culturelles au sein du CESAM (Conf\u00e9d\u00e9ration des \u00c9l\u00e8ves, \u00c9tudiants et Stagiaires Africains \u00c9trangers au Maroc \u2013 Mekn\u00e8s). En tant qu\u2019\u00e9tudiante \u00e9trang\u00e8re, ces exp\u00e9riences ont \u00e9t\u00e9 tr\u00e8s enrichissantes pour moi, car elles m\u2019ont permis de repr\u00e9senter ma culture tout en d\u00e9couvrant celles des autres.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Pour r\u00e9pondre \u00e0 ta question, le Maroc essaie de r\u00e9aliser l\u2019ODD 3 principalement \u00e0 travers la g\u00e9n\u00e9ralisation de la couverture sanitaire universelle, appuy\u00e9e par des r\u00e9formes structurelles du syst\u00e8me de sant\u00e9.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Depuis 2021, le Maroc a lanc\u00e9 un chantier majeur visant \u00e0 \u00e9tendre l\u2019Assurance Maladie Obligatoire (AMO) \u00e0 l\u2019ensemble de la population. Ce syst\u00e8me permet aux assur\u00e9s de b\u00e9n\u00e9ficier d\u2019une prise en charge d\u2019une partie importante des frais de sant\u00e9, notamment les consultations m\u00e9dicales, les m\u00e9dicaments, les hospitalisations et certains soins sp\u00e9cialis\u00e9s. L\u2019objectif est de r\u00e9duire les d\u00e9penses directes des m\u00e9nages et de garantir un acc\u00e8s \u00e9quitable aux services de sant\u00e9.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Parall\u00e8lement, l\u2019ancien R\u00e9gime d\u2019Assistance M\u00e9dicale (RAMED<strong>)<\/strong>, qui \u00e9tait destin\u00e9 aux populations les plus vuln\u00e9rables, a \u00e9t\u00e9 int\u00e9gr\u00e9 dans ce nouveau syst\u00e8me \u00e0 travers un m\u00e9canisme unifi\u00e9. Cette int\u00e9gration vise \u00e0 renforcer la solidarit\u00e9 nationale en assurant une meilleure couverture des personnes en situation de pr\u00e9carit\u00e9. D\u00e9sormais, ces populations peuvent acc\u00e9der aux soins dans des conditions plus \u00e9quitables, tout en \u00e9tant prot\u00e9g\u00e9es contre les risques financiers li\u00e9s \u00e0 la maladie.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Gr\u00e2ce \u00e0 ces r\u00e9formes, plus de 35 millions de Marocains sont aujourd\u2019hui couverts, soit environ 86,5 % de la population. Cette avanc\u00e9e a permis de r\u00e9duire significativement les paiements directs des m\u00e9nages et d\u2019am\u00e9liorer l\u2019acc\u00e8s aux soins. En parall\u00e8le, le Maroc investit \u00e9galement dans le d\u00e9veloppement des infrastructures de sant\u00e9, notamment dans les zones rurales, afin de r\u00e9duire les in\u00e9galit\u00e9s territoriales et d\u2019assurer une meilleure r\u00e9partition des services m\u00e9dicaux.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Cependant, malgr\u00e9 ces progr\u00e8s importants, plusieurs d\u00e9fis persistent. Une partie de la population n\u2019a pas encore un acc\u00e8s effectif aux soins, en raison de disparit\u00e9s r\u00e9gionales, de certaines contraintes administratives et d\u2019un manque de ressources humaines dans le secteur de la sant\u00e9. Cela montre que la r\u00e9ussite de l\u2019ODD 3 ne d\u00e9pend pas uniquement des r\u00e9formes adopt\u00e9es, mais aussi de leur mise en \u0153uvre concr\u00e8te et de leur efficacit\u00e9 sur le terrain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Par ailleurs, en ce qui concerne l\u2019ODD 3 dans mon pays d\u2019origine, le Niger, des efforts sont \u00e9galement r\u00e9alis\u00e9s, mais les d\u00e9fis restent plus importants. Le Niger met en place plusieurs politiques visant \u00e0 am\u00e9liorer la sant\u00e9 des populations, notamment \u00e0 travers des programmes de sant\u00e9 maternelle et infantile, la gratuit\u00e9 de certains soins pour les femmes enceintes et les enfants, ainsi que des campagnes de vaccination \u00e0 grande \u00e9chelle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Dans ce cadre, des organisations internationales comme l\u2019UNICEF jouent un r\u00f4le essentiel. Elles soutiennent le gouvernement nig\u00e9rien en fournissant des vaccins, en renfor\u00e7ant les syst\u00e8mes de sant\u00e9, et en d\u00e9veloppant des programmes de nutrition et de pr\u00e9vention des maladies. L\u2019UNICEF intervient \u00e9galement dans la sensibilisation des populations et l\u2019am\u00e9lioration de l\u2019acc\u00e8s aux soins de base, notamment dans les zones rurales.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Malgr\u00e9 ces efforts, le Niger fait face \u00e0 de nombreuses difficult\u00e9s, telles que le manque d\u2019infrastructures sanitaires, le d\u00e9ficit en personnel m\u00e9dical qualifi\u00e9 et les in\u00e9galit\u00e9s d\u2019acc\u00e8s aux services de sant\u00e9. Ces contraintes rendent plus complexe la r\u00e9alisation de l\u2019ODD 3, m\u00eame si des progr\u00e8s sont observ\u00e9s gr\u00e2ce \u00e0 la collaboration entre l\u2019\u00c9tat et les partenaires internationaux.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Je partage \u00e9galement ton point de vue sur l\u2019importance des actions individuelles. Les politiques publiques sont essentielles, mais les choix du quotidien, comme l\u2019alimentation, l\u2019activit\u00e9 physique ou la gestion du stress, jouent aussi un r\u00f4le important dans le bien-\u00eatre et la sant\u00e9 globale.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Enfin, j\u2019ai trouv\u00e9 ton analyse du syst\u00e8me belge tr\u00e8s int\u00e9ressante, notamment le r\u00f4le de la s\u00e9curit\u00e9 sociale et les d\u00e9fis li\u00e9s \u00e0 la pression sur les travailleurs sociaux. Cela montre que m\u00eame les syst\u00e8mes les plus avanc\u00e9s doivent continuer \u00e0 \u00e9voluer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">J\u2019aimerais beaucoup en savoir plus sur ton exp\u00e9rience en Master et sur le type de carri\u00e8re que tu envisages dans le domaine du travail social.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Au plaisir de te lire bient\u00f4t,<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Bien \u00e0 toi,<br>Alissa Chaibou Souley.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-vivid-red-color has-text-color has-link-color has-x-large-font-size wp-elements-23feaca259df4a5041689724af6294b6 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>LETTER 3<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">JUDIT STEVERLYNCK <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Hello Alissa,<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">First of all, most of the french I actually could understand it without a translator. But at some point were the letter got more serieus into the topic, I had to get a translator. But proud of myself to mostly understand it, haha! It\u2019s nice to read who you are and what you like, what a coincidence&nbsp; that we both like to cook and travel. I find it also nice that you got the foreign experience to represent your own culture and get to know other cultures. That\u2019s always an enrichment. For me personally, I believe that everyone should have a chance in their life to meet with other cultures, and other people meet with your own culture. I believe in this, because I see the enrichment since I also did an exchange year to Canada where I did my grade 12 again. Mostly to improve and learn English, but learning different cultures was also&nbsp; an enrichment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Nice to read that you liked my explanation of the health care system and social security\/ social assistance system in Belgium, because it is quite a complicated system; even some politicians sometimes say this haha. Mutual it was very interesting to read about how Morocco and Niger try to fulfill this SDG 3; access to healthcare for everyone in the country. Also nice to read that we both agree on some things, like that there is a connection between corps and mind (\u201cMens sana in corpore sano\u201d, by Juvenalis) and the importance of individual actions\/all-day choices to have a good healthy life; both physically and mentally. It\u2019s important, but not to forget that it\u2019s not the only thing. It\u2019s best to have a mixture of the individual actions\/choices and the government support to have a healthy, qualitative life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It was very nice to read the situation in Morocco, I do have some questions about it; so I could understand it completely. Morocco has an general implementation of universal health care, supported by structural reforms of the health system. It\u2019s since 2021 there\u2019s also a mandatory health\/sickness insurance for the entire population; which is comparable to the social security and social insurance here in Belgium. I was just wondering if there is a connection why this got accomplished in 2021, after Covid 19. Did the pandamic of Covid 19 played a role to get this mandatory health\/sickness insurance for the whole population?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Further you said that Morocco works with RAMED system. Which seems comparable to the social assistance here in Belgium, just more focused on the medical assistance. The social assistance in Belgium is to make sure everyone; even the vulnerable people; could have a healthy, qualitative life: housing \u2013 food \u2013 medical stuff, &#8230;). Just were I understand it, the RAMED system makes sure that the whole population and mostly the vulnerable people have access to health care and medical insurance. As you said: \u201cBecause of this sysem most vulnerable people gain access to healthcare under equal conditions, among other things, and are protected against the financial risks of illness\u201d. Just a very critical question from me: does this system makes a difference in tools, acces, etc. between the people and the more vulnerable \u2018poor\u2019 people, if so how?&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It was very interesting to read some statistics, it maded it more clearer. Like where I can see that the reforms really made sure a lot of the population has access to healthcare. Ofcourse there are always issues and challenges; but with these statistics it seems like quite a great growth. You even mention some challenges like territorial inequalities and deficit of the (healthcare) staff.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The challenge of the territorial inequalities, where I wonder if it\u2019s that big difference of access to healthcare when you live in a city or rural area? Or how can I understand these territorial inequalities? You even mention that some territorial regions sometimes don\u2019t have any access, could you tell me how this come, is it too far away or difficult to reach, etc.?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><tbody><tr><td>To address that challenge in Belgium or more like Flanders, there is a division of different zones for first aidcare, like you see in the picture. It\u2019s a network of first-line care providers of police, ambulance, social workers, psychologist, doctors, etc. are distributed across zones throughout Flanders and Brussel. In total there are 59 in Flanders and 1 in Brussel. The zone is just large (or small enough) so that the emergency services can certainly provide (quick) assistance on site within 10-20 minutes.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/td><td><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"103\" class=\"wp-image-1770\" style=\"width: 150px;\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.uantwerpen.be\/global-pen-friends\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Afbeelding1.png\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.uantwerpen.be\/global-pen-friends\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Afbeelding1.png 317w, https:\/\/blog.uantwerpen.be\/global-pen-friends\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Afbeelding1-300x205.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The challenge of deficit of the (healthcare) staff, where I immediately recognize this challenge in Belgium too. In my last letter I mention the deficit of practical jobs; like nurses, plumber, elektrician, baker, etc. The jobs were you don\u2019t necessarily need an academic (not professional) diplom for. For us, the reason of this deficit as I mention earlier could be that Belgium is focusing on knowledge economy, where only the academics get rewarded and paid good and not the practical jobs. Practical jobs have low rewards and low wages, where not many people want to take those jobs. This knowledge could be (one of) the reason here in Belgium\/West-Europe for the deficit of the (healthcare\/practical) staff. I am curious what you think might be the reason there is a deficit of (healthcare) staff in Maroco?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Very interesting to read also more about your birthcountry: Niger, to see similarities and differences between Niger, Marocco and Belgium. I could say that they are quite good working on fulfilling this SDG 3 in Niger, but it\u2019s mostly from an universal organisation (like UNICEF). Well, I am assuming; where I could be wrong; it\u2019s mostly from UNICEF, where I am curious to know whether the government of Niger has their say in it; and how much and how the dynamic\/relation is between Niger government and the universal organisation working on SDG\u2019s. Further I am also curious how the government of Niger is thinking about fulfilling SDG 3 for everyone, the whole population?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Lastly I will answer your question to know more about my master\u2019s program Social Work, and which career I want to go for in the social sector\/in my careerlife.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The master program Social Work is further building on the bachelor social work, but since the social work practice field is large and diverse, any study in social pedagogical direction could follow this master. Just like me, with my bachelor of applied work and organizational psychology. With this master, they teach and train you primarily to become a social researcher and policymaker. With this position you can do a social research, brainstorm for possible solutions or actions and propose it to the political policy. We delve into the social problems playing out in the world and in the person\/client&#8217;s lifeworld. Furthermore, we\u2019re trained to be (academic) researchers, to conduct (academic) social research in the social sector and in the world\/society where these social problems play out. Social problems like: gender inequality, poverty, climate change (inequalities), discrimination and so on. This academic research can then be used and read by politicians and\/or policy makers, and find solutions and\/or change, make new rules where the social problems can be tackled. Not solved, because these social problems are often \u2018wicked problems\u2019 that can\u2019t be solved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The social problems were I\u2019m personally more leaning to work later in my career with, is gender discrimination, mostly in work context, but overall. Gender discrimination where also the positive discrimination in the work context is included. This aligns closely with my bachelor\u2019s degree in Applied Work and Organizational Psychology. Further I\u2019m also interested to make sure everyone; all young girls, women, and men; feel safe, in the city, town and nightlife. One reason why I\u2019m interested in the safety aspect is, that I wrote my Bachelor thesis on this theme. For this Bachelor these, 4 others and I developed a social enterprise to promote a sense of safety among young people in nightlife. Those 2 big themes of social problems are the one where I really want to work on in my career; if possible. A career where I hopefully can conduct social research myself with a team, and than use my creative brain to brainstorm for some suggestions, advice or even solutions to tackle this social problem and suggest to the politicians and the government. For my career, I hope that I can do both: do the social research and use my creative brain to make suggesions, advice and solutions. Just like I somewhat did with the social enterprise for my Bachelor thesis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">What do you hope that your career can look like?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Greetings,<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Your Global Pen Friend<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Judit Steverlynck<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-vivid-red-color has-text-color has-link-color has-x-large-font-size wp-elements-f2e2f1b5ee80e3d728431017e8e6b319 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>LETTER 4<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">ALISSA CHAIBOU SOULEY<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Bonjour Judit Steverlynck,<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Merci beaucoup pour ta lettre tr\u00e8s r\u00e9fl\u00e9chie et pour toutes tes questions. J\u2019ai vraiment appr\u00e9ci\u00e9 lire ton point de vue ainsi que les comparaisons que tu as faites entre la Belgique, le Maroc et le Niger. Tes remarques m\u2019ont permis de r\u00e9fl\u00e9chir plus profond\u00e9ment aux d\u00e9fis li\u00e9s \u00e0 l\u2019acc\u00e8s aux soins de sant\u00e9 et \u00e0 la r\u00e9alisation de l\u2019ODD 3.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Concernant ta premi\u00e8re question sur le lien entre la Covid-19 et la g\u00e9n\u00e9ralisation de l\u2019assurance maladie obligatoire au Maroc, je pense effectivement que la pand\u00e9mie a jou\u00e9 un r\u00f4le tr\u00e8s important. M\u00eame si les r\u00e9formes de la couverture m\u00e9dicale existaient d\u00e9j\u00e0 avant la crise sanitaire, la pand\u00e9mie a r\u00e9v\u00e9l\u00e9 les limites du syst\u00e8me de sant\u00e9 marocain, notamment les in\u00e9galit\u00e9s d\u2019acc\u00e8s aux soins et la vuln\u00e9rabilit\u00e9 des personnes qui n\u2019avaient aucune couverture m\u00e9dicale. Cela a acc\u00e9l\u00e9r\u00e9 la volont\u00e9 politique de g\u00e9n\u00e9raliser la protection sociale. En 2021, le Maroc a lanc\u00e9 un grand projet royal visant \u00e0 \u00e9tendre l\u2019Assurance Maladie Obligatoire (AMO) \u00e0 l\u2019ensemble de la population, y compris les travailleurs ind\u00e9pendants et les personnes du secteur informel. L\u2019objectif \u00e9tait de renforcer la r\u00e9silience sociale et d\u2019\u00e9viter que les populations vuln\u00e9rables soient exclues du syst\u00e8me de sant\u00e9 lors des crises sanitaires.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Pour mieux comprendre le syst\u00e8me marocain, il faut savoir que la Couverture M\u00e9dicale de Base reposait sur deux m\u00e9canismes : l\u2019AMO, qui est contributive pour les salari\u00e9s et les personnes ayant des revenus, et le RAMED, destin\u00e9 aux populations pauvres et vuln\u00e9rables. Avant la cr\u00e9ation de ces dispositifs, seulement environ 16 % de la population marocaine b\u00e9n\u00e9ficiait d\u2019une couverture m\u00e9dicale, ce qui cr\u00e9ait d\u2019importantes in\u00e9galit\u00e9s sociales et territoriales. Le RAMED a donc \u00e9t\u00e9 con\u00e7u comme un syst\u00e8me d\u2019assistance m\u00e9dicale permettant aux personnes d\u00e9favoris\u00e9es d\u2019acc\u00e9der gratuitement aux h\u00f4pitaux publics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Cependant, comme tu l\u2019as tr\u00e8s bien soulign\u00e9, le syst\u00e8me RAMED pr\u00e9sente plusieurs limites dans la pratique. Th\u00e9oriquement, il vise \u00e0 garantir l\u2019\u00e9galit\u00e9 d\u2019acc\u00e8s aux soins, mais dans la r\u00e9alit\u00e9, les diff\u00e9rences restent importantes entre les personnes disposant de moyens financiers et les plus pauvres. Les h\u00f4pitaux publics sont souvent surcharg\u00e9s, les d\u00e9lais d\u2019attente sont tr\u00e8s longs, certains \u00e9quipements m\u00e9dicaux manquent et les patients doivent parfois acheter eux-m\u00eames des m\u00e9dicaments ou r\u00e9aliser des analyses dans des laboratoires priv\u00e9s. Cela cr\u00e9e une forme d\u2019in\u00e9galit\u00e9 indirecte : les personnes ayant des ressources financi\u00e8res peuvent contourner les lenteurs du syst\u00e8me public en payant des soins priv\u00e9s, tandis que les plus pauvres restent d\u00e9pendants d\u2019un syst\u00e8me sous pression. Des recherches r\u00e9alis\u00e9es dans des h\u00f4pitaux universitaires marocains montrent m\u00eame que de nombreux b\u00e9n\u00e9ficiaires du RAMED ont d\u00fb payer des m\u00e9dicaments ou des examens malgr\u00e9 leur statut d\u2019assistance m\u00e9dicale.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Les in\u00e9galit\u00e9s territoriales constituent \u00e9galement un d\u00e9fi majeur au Maroc. Les grandes villes comme Casablanca ou Rabat disposent d\u2019infrastructures modernes, d\u2019h\u00f4pitaux sp\u00e9cialis\u00e9s et d\u2019un nombre plus \u00e9lev\u00e9 de m\u00e9decins. En revanche, plusieurs r\u00e9gions rurales ou \u00e9loign\u00e9es souffrent d\u2019un manque important d\u2019\u00e9quipements et de personnel m\u00e9dical. Certaines populations doivent parcourir de longues distances pour atteindre un centre de sant\u00e9 ou un h\u00f4pital sp\u00e9cialis\u00e9. Cela est particuli\u00e8rement difficile dans les zones montagneuses ou isol\u00e9es o\u00f9 les moyens de transport sont limit\u00e9s. Les retards dans la prise en charge m\u00e9dicale peuvent alors aggraver l\u2019\u00e9tat des patients. Les statistiques montrent d\u2019ailleurs qu\u2019une grande partie des m\u00e9decins travaillent dans les zones urbaines, alors qu\u2019une proportion importante de la population vit encore dans les zones rurales. Ces d\u00e9s\u00e9quilibres cr\u00e9ent ce qu\u2019on appelle parfois des \u00ab d\u00e9serts m\u00e9dicaux \u00bb.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Le manque de personnel de sant\u00e9 au Maroc est li\u00e9 \u00e0 plusieurs facteurs. Beaucoup de m\u00e9decins pr\u00e9f\u00e8rent travailler dans les grandes villes ou \u00e0 l\u2019\u00e9tranger o\u00f9 les salaires, les conditions de travail et les perspectives de carri\u00e8re sont plus attractifs. Les h\u00f4pitaux publics souffrent souvent d\u2019un manque de ressources humaines et mat\u00e9rielles, ce qui augmente la charge de travail du personnel soignant. Les jeunes m\u00e9decins h\u00e9sitent aussi \u00e0 exercer dans les r\u00e9gions rurales \u00e0 cause de l\u2019isolement, du manque d\u2019\u00e9quipements et des difficult\u00e9s de vie quotidienne. Pour r\u00e9pondre \u00e0 ce probl\u00e8me, le gouvernement marocain essaie aujourd\u2019hui d\u2019augmenter le nombre de professionnels form\u00e9s et de mettre en place des incitations financi\u00e8res pour encourager les m\u00e9decins \u00e0 travailler dans les r\u00e9gions d\u00e9favoris\u00e9es. Je te mets \u00e9galement quelques documents qui pourront encore davantage t\u2019aider \u00e0 mieux comprendre les sujets abord\u00e9s dans cette lettre, notamment le syst\u00e8me de sant\u00e9 au Maroc, les in\u00e9galit\u00e9s d\u2019acc\u00e8s aux soins au Maroc. J\u2019esp\u00e8re qu\u2019ils pourront enrichir ta r\u00e9flexion autant qu\u2019ils ont enrichi la mienne&nbsp;:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">J\u2019ai \u00e9galement trouv\u00e9 tr\u00e8s int\u00e9ressante la mani\u00e8re dont la Belgique, et particuli\u00e8rement la Flandre, a organis\u00e9 les zones de premiers secours afin de garantir une assistance rapide aux populations. Je pense sinc\u00e8rement que cela pourrait \u00eatre une tr\u00e8s bonne solution si le Maroc adoptait un syst\u00e8me similaire, surtout pour r\u00e9duire les in\u00e9galit\u00e9s d\u2019acc\u00e8s aux soins entre les zones urbaines et rurales. Une meilleure r\u00e9partition des services d\u2019urgence, des professionnels de sant\u00e9 et des infrastructures m\u00e9dicales pourrait aider de nombreuses populations vivant dans des r\u00e9gions \u00e9loign\u00e9es \u00e0 recevoir des soins plus rapidement et dans de meilleures conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Concernant le Niger, tu as raison de dire que les organisations internationales jouent un r\u00f4le tr\u00e8s important dans la r\u00e9alisation de l\u2019ODD 3. Des institutions comme UNICEF, le Programme des Nations Unies pour le d\u00e9veloppement, la Banque mondiale ou encore la Banque africaine de d\u00e9veloppement participent activement au financement et \u00e0 la mise en \u0153uvre de projets li\u00e9s \u00e0 la sant\u00e9, \u00e0 la r\u00e9silience et \u00e0 la lutte contre la pauvret\u00e9. Cependant, le gouvernement nig\u00e9rien reste \u00e9galement impliqu\u00e9. Par exemple, le programme de coop\u00e9ration du PNUD 2019-2021 a \u00e9t\u00e9 \u00e9labor\u00e9 en partenariat avec le gouvernement nig\u00e9rien, les organisations de la soci\u00e9t\u00e9 civile et plusieurs partenaires internationaux afin de renforcer la gouvernance, la r\u00e9silience et l\u2019acc\u00e8s aux services publics essentiels, notamment dans les zones rurales et frontali\u00e8res.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Le Niger fait face \u00e0 de nombreux d\u00e9fis structurels : pauvret\u00e9, ins\u00e9curit\u00e9, changements climatiques, faibles infrastructures et croissance d\u00e9mographique rapide. C\u2019est pourquoi les partenariats internationaux sont essentiels. Le gouvernement cherche n\u00e9anmoins \u00e0 am\u00e9liorer progressivement les services publics, renforcer les capacit\u00e9s locales et favoriser l\u2019acc\u00e8s aux soins pour les populations les plus vuln\u00e9rables, particuli\u00e8rement les femmes et les jeunes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Enfin, Concernant ma future carri\u00e8re, je suis actuellement au Maroc o\u00f9 j\u2019\u00e9tudie dans un master appel\u00e9 Management des organisations, \u00e9conomie sociale et solidaire et innovation sociale. Ce programme combine le management, l\u2019innovation sociale et le d\u00e9veloppement territorial, ce qui me permet de r\u00e9fl\u00e9chir aux probl\u00e8mes sociaux tout en cherchant des solutions concr\u00e8tes et durables. Ce que j\u2019appr\u00e9cie particuli\u00e8rement dans ce master, c\u2019est qu\u2019on n\u2019apprend pas uniquement en th\u00e9orie sur les bancs de l\u2019universit\u00e9, mais aussi directement sur le terrain. Pendant notre formation, nous avons particip\u00e9 \u00e0 plusieurs ateliers sur l\u2019innovation sociale et le d\u00e9veloppement durable, o\u00f9 nous avons notamment appris l\u2019importance du tri des d\u00e9chets et de la gestion durable des ressources.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Nous avons \u00e9galement effectu\u00e9 des sorties de terrain tr\u00e8s enrichissantes. Par exemple, nous avons visit\u00e9 une d\u00e9charge publique et une station de valorisation des d\u00e9chets, o\u00f9 nous avons d\u00e9couvert concr\u00e8tement le principe de l\u2019\u00e9conomie circulaire. J\u2019ai trouv\u00e9 cela tr\u00e8s impressionnant de voir comment certains d\u00e9chets peuvent \u00eatre transform\u00e9s en \u00e9lectricit\u00e9 et m\u00eame contribuer \u00e0 la production d\u2019eau trait\u00e9e. Cette exp\u00e9rience m\u2019a permis de comprendre que les d\u00e9chets peuvent aussi devenir une ressource utile lorsqu\u2019ils sont bien g\u00e9r\u00e9s.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Nous avons aussi particip\u00e9 \u00e0 des visites dans des salons d\u2019artisanat et de commerce o\u00f9 nous avons rencontr\u00e9 plusieurs coop\u00e9ratives locales, compos\u00e9es principalement de femmes. Ces coop\u00e9ratives travaillent dans la production, la valorisation et la promotion des produits locaux. Ces rencontres m\u2019ont beaucoup inspir\u00e9e, car elles montrent comment l\u2019\u00e9conomie sociale et solidaire peut contribuer \u00e0 l\u2019autonomisation des femmes, \u00e0 la cr\u00e9ation d\u2019emplois et au d\u00e9veloppement des communaut\u00e9s locales. Je trouve donc ce master tr\u00e8s int\u00e9ressant parce qu\u2019il nous permet non seulement d\u2019acqu\u00e9rir des connaissances acad\u00e9miques, mais aussi de comprendre les r\u00e9alit\u00e9s sociales et \u00e9conomiques directement sur le terrain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Apr\u00e8s ce master, j\u2019h\u00e9site encore entre deux possibilit\u00e9s. La premi\u00e8re serait de poursuivre un doctorat en entrepreneuriat social afin d\u2019approfondir mes recherches sur l\u2019innovation sociale, le d\u00e9veloppement \u00e9conomique et les projets \u00e0 impact social. La seconde possibilit\u00e9 serait de commencer directement une carri\u00e8re professionnelle dans un domaine li\u00e9 \u00e0 mon master afin d\u2019acqu\u00e9rir une exp\u00e9rience pratique sur le terrain, notamment dans la gestion de projets sociaux ou le d\u00e9veloppement local. Pour le moment, je r\u00e9fl\u00e9chis encore \u00e0 ce qui serait le meilleur choix pour mon avenir.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Plus tard, j\u2019ai aussi un projet entrepreneurial qui me tient \u00e9norm\u00e9ment \u00e0 c\u0153ur. J\u2019aimerais ouvrir un grand magasin sp\u00e9cialis\u00e9 dans la vente d\u2019emballages dans mon pays d\u2019origine, le Niger. Mon objectif ne serait pas seulement commercial. Je voudrais aussi que ce projet ait un impact social en cr\u00e9ant des emplois pour des personnes proches de moi qui n\u2019ont pas d\u2019opportunit\u00e9s professionnelles. Dans beaucoup de pays africains, le ch\u00f4mage touche fortement les jeunes, et j\u2019aimerais pouvoir contribuer, m\u00eame modestement, \u00e0 am\u00e9liorer cette situation gr\u00e2ce \u00e0 mon futur projet. Je pense que mes \u00e9tudes actuelles en \u00e9conomie sociale et solidaire influencent beaucoup cette ambition, car elles m\u2019apprennent qu\u2019une entreprise peut aussi avoir une mission sociale et contribuer au d\u00e9veloppement de sa communaut\u00e9. J\u2019esp\u00e8re sinc\u00e8rement pouvoir r\u00e9aliser ce projet un jour.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">j\u2019ai beaucoup appr\u00e9ci\u00e9 ta vision de ta future carri\u00e8re. Je trouve que la recherche sociale et la r\u00e9flexion cr\u00e9ative sont des domaines tr\u00e8s int\u00e9ressants et tr\u00e8s importants pour le d\u00e9veloppement de la soci\u00e9t\u00e9. Les personnes capables d\u2019analyser les probl\u00e8mes sociaux tout en proposant des solutions concr\u00e8tes et innovantes peuvent r\u00e9ellement contribuer \u00e0 am\u00e9liorer la vie des populations et influencer positivement les politiques publiques.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Je te souhaite sinc\u00e8rement de r\u00e9ussir tous tes objectifs et tes projets professionnels. Et qui sait, peut-\u00eatre qu\u2019un jour je verrai ton nom appara\u00eetre dans les journaux ou m\u00eame \u00e0 la t\u00e9l\u00e9vision gr\u00e2ce \u00e0 tes recherches et \u00e0 ton travail haha ! Je trouve tr\u00e8s inspirant ton int\u00e9r\u00eat pour les questions de discrimination de genre et de s\u00e9curit\u00e9 des jeunes dans les espaces urbains et nocturnes. Je pense que ton travail pourrait avoir un r\u00e9el impact social, surtout parce qu\u2019il combine recherche, cr\u00e9ativit\u00e9 et propositions concr\u00e8tes pour am\u00e9liorer la soci\u00e9t\u00e9.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Encore merci pour cette tr\u00e8s belle lettre et pour toutes tes r\u00e9flexions enrichissantes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Avec toute mon amiti\u00e9,<br>Alissa Chaibou Souley.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>This letter exchange between Judit and Alissa examines efforts to achieve SDG 3\u2014good health and well-being\u2014in Belgium, &hellip; <\/p>\n<p class=\"link-more\"><a href=\"https:\/\/blog.uantwerpen.be\/global-pen-friends\/healthy-lives-shared-futures-a-cross-cultural-dialogue-on-sdg3\/\" class=\"more-link\"><span class=\"screen-reader-text\"> &#8220;Healthy Lives, Shared Futures: A Cross-Cultural Dialogue on SDG3&#8221;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":12,"featured_media":1765,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[68,69,346],"tags":[345],"coauthors":[347,348],"class_list":["post-1764","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-belgium","category-morocco","category-niger","tag-goodhealthandwellbeing"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.8 - 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