Katholiek Vlaams Hoogstudentenverbond


The KVHV is a political student society which concerns Flemish nationalism and conservatism. It accepts male and female members and has chapters in Ghent, Leuven, Antwerp, Brussels, Aalst and Sint-Katelijne-Waver. Previously KVHV had chapters in Kortrijk, Ostend, and Mechelen.

History

In Belgium in the 19th and the beginning of the 20th century, the dominant language for education, literature and politics was French as this was the language of the elites at the time. The majority of the people in Flanders, the northern part of the country, spoke Dutch. The northern part was financially helped by the southern to develop. In the second half of the 19th century a movement started that sought to elevate the status of Dutch in society and emancipate the Flemish people. At the two universities in Flanders Flemish students started to organize themselves in societies.
The name KVHV was first used by Flemish students in 1911, when the Vlaams Verbond was banned by the Catholic University of Leuven. The name was permanently adopted in 1923. At the same time the dominant Flemish society in Ghent, Rodenbach's Vrienden, also changed its name to KVHV.

Organisation

The KVHV has four general principles, must be accepted by all members:
All members have to strictly follow these rules and principles.

Literature