Belgian Defence and (Ethnic) Diversity: The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly?

In recent times, military organizations, once perceived as homogenous entities, are increasingly prioritizing the integration of minority groups. This shift is not solely driven by recruitment and retention goals but also recognizes the tangible benefits of diverse workforces in navigating culturally diverse environments. Despite these efforts, military (and civilian) members with migration backgrounds continue to face discrimination within these organizations. This study seeks to enhance our understanding of the inclusion of Belgian military personnel from ethnically diverse backgrounds in the Belgian Defence. We explored both the perceptions of ethnic diversity among Belgian military personnel and the experiences of ethnic diverse military personnel regarding their ethnic identity within the Belgian Defence.

This project involved both quantitative and qualitative research. For the quantitative aspect, we conducted a diversity survey in the RMA, with 513 respondents participating, resulting in a response rate of 46.6%.
For the qualitative aspect, we conducted 28 semi-structured in-depth interviews with military personnel or students at the RMA who have ethnically diverse backgrounds. The study shows that although most respondents feel accepted, racist remarks and inappropriate behaviour are still present in the Belgian Defence. In addition, most respondents from ethnic diverse backgrounds indicated that they often must assimilate in order to feel a sense of belonging.

The project HFM/18-03 is financed under the DFR call.