Belgium Museum Director Michel Draguet Resigns Amid Controversy

Michel Draguet on April 24 introduced that he’ll depart as director of the Royal Museums of High quality Arts, Belgium, on April 30, when his contract expires, reasonably than search a fourth time period within the function. His determination to step down was made collaboratively with Thomas Dermine, Belgium’s secretary of state for science olicy, and Arnaud Vajda, chairman of the manager committee of the Federal Science Coverage Workplace. Draguet’s resignation comes 4 months after he was accused of creating inappropriate feedback to workers, and within the wake of an open letter signed by thirty-six of the museum’s 176 staffers denouncing a “poisonous” work tradition on the establishment underneath his management.

Museum employees complained Draguet behaved in a “flirty” method that made some workers really feel uncomfortable; that he was unwilling collaborate; that he refused to include inclusive language in institutional correspondence; and that he insulted his employees, with one nameless supply recalling that he characterised a former communications supervisor has having “the intelligence of a vagina.”

Draguet denied the allegations, contending that the usage of inclusive language was not a “authorized obligation” and rejecting accusations associated to feminist and colonialist points on the grounds that the museums are a “scientific establishment and never considered one of activism.” An inner investigation carried out by BELSPO discovered no proof of wrongdoing on the director’s half.

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“Though the previous couple of months have been tough, each for the employees of the Royal Museums and for Michel himself, I wish to level out that the analysis course of, which I accomplished on March 23, didn’t present any materials proof of the accusations of racism, homophobia or sexism reported within the press,” Vajda stated in a press release. “Now that this chapter has been closed, I’m happy to have the ability to depend on Michel Draguet’s experience for the implementation of the numerous initiatives supplied by the division’s strategic plan, notably within the space of valorization of federal heritage.”

Draguet had been with the Royal Museums since 2005. Sara Lammens, Common Director of the Royal Library of Belgium, will act as interim director of the establishment till his substitute is discovered.

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