We Belong

Jean-Claude Juncker est l'un des pères fondateurs de l'euro et un pionnier de l'unification européenne. En tant que Premier ministre du Luxembourg, il a été le chef de gouvernement le plus longtemps en poste au sein de l'Union Européenne, avec 18 ans de mandat. Il a été le premier président permanent de l'Eurogroupe et a contribué à définir la réponse à la crise de la dette souveraine en 2009. En 2014, Jean-Claude Juncker a été élu Président de la Commission Européenne. En conversation avec le Président Juncker, nous avons discuté du future de l'Europe, de l'immigration, de la montée de l'extrême droite et de l'importance de promouvoir le dialogue entre les peuples européens.

For the #49 episode, we were in Brussels to meet Salwa Boujour, a Journalist, an Entrepreneur and Founder of ADIM, a non-profit that promotes Diversity & Inclusion in Media. Salwa specializes in social issues, particularly in matters related to gender identities and feminism, decolonization and inclusion, as well as the prison system. She identifies as a feminist journalist committed to creating a more inclusive media world. In conversation, with Salwa, we discussed her Moroccan heritage, her experience living and travelling across Europe as a woman wearing the hijab, her commitment to include diverse voices in the Media industry, but also why ahead of the European elections we need to promote dialogue and reach to marginalised communities that live in Brussels and beyond.  Episode recorded at A Seat At the Table offices. ADIM website: https://adimdiversitemedia.be/

For the episode #48 of We Belong, we interviewed Stefano Manservisi, former Director-General at the European Commission. Prior to that, he was the Head of the Private Office of Federica Mogherini, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs. In 2014, Mr. Manservisi was the Head of the Delegation of the European Union to Turkey. He held different positions at the Commission, including as Director-General for Migration and Home Affairs, and Director-General for Development and Relations with African, Caribbean, and Pacific States. He has also headed the Private Offices of the Commission’s President Romano Prodi and Commissioner Mario Monti. In conversation with Mr Manservisi, we discussed his approach to serve as an inclusive leader: he shared concrete examples of dialogue and intercultural understanding through his European career and he explained why we need a Commissioner from immigration backgrounds for the next European Commission's mandate. Ahead of the European Elections, Mr Manservisi reflects on the urgency of involving youth and immigrant descents in public debates and the importance of promoting peace as the core mission of the European project. Episode recorded with the support of Silversquare.

For the episode #47 of We Belong, we were at the European Parliament to meet the MEP Salima Yenbou. Born in Seine-Saint-Denis, she worked as a school administrator before her election in 2019. MEP Yenbou is one of only 24 eurodeputies who are people of color out of 705 (cf. ENAR). In conversation with MEP Yenbou, we discussed her commitment for representation in Europe, why she decided to become an elected official and her approach to foster equal opportunities in French suburbs.

For the episode #46 of We Belong, we met the inspirational Amal Tahir. Multitalented, Amal is a renowned feminist author, speaker, sexologist and advocate for women's health and empowerment. With a background in gynecology and obstetrics, she has dedicated her career to promoting a positive and inclusive dialogue surrounding topics such as mental health, body positivity, and sexuality. Through her writings and content shared to more than 100.000 followers, Amal seeks to challenge societal norms and empower individuals to embrace their bodies and identities unapologetically. She is celebrated for her compassionate approach and commitment to promoting understanding, acceptance and belonging in all aspects of life. In conversation with Amal, she shared valuable advice to spot red flags in any type of relationships, she shared her European journey from Italy, Belgium til France, and she gave valuable advice to our young audience. Amal's Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/amaltahir/ Her podcast Garce Therapy: https://open.spotify.com/show/1YQ5Yuzt8nuPY1s76T261Y Her books: https://www.fnac.com/ia9410911/Amal-Tahir