The Placet Center has its roots in 1968 at Placet College in the university town of Louvain, Flanders. 1968 was also a year of student and political movements in Louvain and a home was created within this college to give students access to housing. At the same time, several initiatives are being carried out to support students' children during their stay (alternative school, playground at Placet College, daycare).
Founded as a non-profit organization in 1973 after the move of the French-speaking wing of the Catholic University of Louvain, the Placet Center was established with the university in the new town of Louvain-la-Neuve, in Wallonia. The Catholic University of Louvain, in collaboration with the General Administration of Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Aid (AGCD) of the Belgian State, gave the Placet Center the mission of welcoming and supporting its international students outside Europe. Students and researchers are directly involved in the management of their homes thanks to the Placet Residents Association (ARP).
Strengthening its role of cultural, social and artistic actor in Louvain-la-Neuve and in the region, the Placet Center contributed to the creation of several awareness projects within the city (OVO statue of Aberlado Mancinas opposite the Placet Center, wall for victims of intolerance at the Place des Sciences, fresco "Allegory of interculturality" by Roxana Alvarado, homework school, solidarity grocery store, ...). Conferences, cultural and festive events and meeting spaces punctuate the life of the association.
Initiatives to support the children of international students gave birth to the Children's Workshop. Over the years, this workshop will become the CEC - Center for Expression and Creativity of the Placet Center, "l'Workshop in the colors of the world'. In 2017, the Placet Center was recognized as continuing Education Association by the Wallonia-Brussels Federation to promote expression and emancipation, individual and collective, around issues related to human rights, transitions and social justice in an intercultural approach.
At the end of 2025, the Belgian Federal Minister of Cooperation decided to put an end to the structural subsidy granted since 1974 to ten student accommodation centers from partner countries. In August 2026, the Foyer du Center Placet turned a page in its history by stopping the management of housing for international students and researchers in the Hocaille district.
Building on its roots, the Placet Center is beginning a transition by strengthening its position as international and citizen center in Louvain-la-Neuve. Through its continuing education actions, creative and civic expression as well as support for international students and researchers, it strengthens its role with each and every one — Belgian and international citizens. By encouraging the mixing of audiences, meeting and doing things together, the Placet Center continues to support people in their power to act and their role as actors of change in our societies.
Karla and Mélanie Hidalgo, August 2022
