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The Centre for Historical Research and Documentation on War and Contemporary Society (Cegesoma or CEGES-SOMA) is a Belgian federal research and documentation centre based in Anderlecht, Brussels. It forms part of the Belgian Federal Science Policy Office. The institute collects documentation and carries out research on the wars and conflicts of the 20th century and their impact on Belgium. Rudi Van Doorslaer is the Director of the institute.
The Centre is a member of the European Network for Contemporary History (EURHISTXX).
History
The Centre was founded in 1969, and since then it has collected archives, books, periodicals, newspapers, photographs, interviews, posters, and leaflets on wars and contemporary society.
In 2014, a proposal to cut government funding to the centre was made which attracted widespread opposition. Academics at the centre defended the institute in an article for the La Libre Belgique newspaper and an online petition against the measures attracted 3,000 signatures.