Mun Society + Jessa Hospital + Studio JIJWEET

19 May 2021

This very busy day for Mathilde started with an audience for a group of students of the MUN Society, a debate group with students from all Belgian universities. The Belgian MUN Society has won the WorldMun Competition, for the 7th time in a row no less. During the competition the society members can show their debate and diplomacy skills in UN meeting simulations.

In the afternoon King Philippe & Queen Mathilde visited the Jessa Hospital in Hasselt. The hospital's direction and nursing staff told them how they have been handling the pandemic.

The Royal Couple also visited the "Babbelbox", an initiative to prevent social isolation and loneliness. 

video: https://www.hln.be/hasselt/vorstenpaar-bezoekt-jessa-ziekenhuis-de-mentale-boost-die-we-nog-steeds-nodig-hebben~a3a16fc1/

And finally, Queen Mathilde participated (via zoom) in a live radio program, Studio JIJWEET is made by and for young people in care. This was the radio program's last show of the season.

The Queen was asked if she had any advice for young people in care. She told them to have faith in themselves, to use their voice, because their voice has the right to be heard, and finally to ask for help when they need it. There's always another person who can help when you need it.

Another question was which had been her passions when she was a teenager herself. Mathilde replied her big passion was to see the world backpacking. She wanted to do something for others and discover other countries, other cultures. 

A second passion is music. She started playing the piano in her twenties and it has helped her ever since to express her emotions. But she doesn't just listen to classical music. She asked the young people present if they'd watched the Eurovision Song Contest as well.