For the #30 episode of We Belong, we met Sawsan Chebli, a Palestinian-German Politician who worked in the highest spheres of power in Germany. Sawsan was born to Palestinian asylum seekers in Germany and grew up with her parents and twelve siblings in Berlin. Between 2010 and 2014, Chebli was the first spokesperson for intercultural affairs of Berlin's State Minister of the Interior and Sport. In 2014, she served as deputy spokesperson of the Federal Foreign Office, she was the first Muslim person to hold that post. From 2016 until 2021, Sawsan served as State Secretary for Federal Affairs in the state government of the Governing Mayor of Berlin. In conversation with Sawsan, she shared the challenges she faced as a female politician, the hate she faced as a muslim outspoken woman and what motivates her to keep going despite threats and criticisms. Episode produced in collaboration with Get The Trolls Out.
For the #29 episode of We Belong, we met Nesrine Slaoui, a Franco-Moroccan independent journalist and author. After graduating from Sciences Po in 2018, she has worked for national TV channels such as reporter for ITélé (Canal+) and as host for France Télévisions. She was also the face of the online media Loopsider, carrying out several investigations on domestic violence, police violence and student precariousness. In January 2021, Nesrine published her first novel "Illegitimate" to tell her story and her family immigration journey coming from Morocco and to growing up in a small rural city in France. A book committed to equal opportunities and against all forms of sexist or racist discrimination. Ahead of her upcoming second book “Seule” (Alone), out on January 4, we discussed with her about the struggles she faced at school, her experience in journalism and how she found a way to express herself through writing.
For the #28 episode of We Belong, we met YEИDRY, a Dominican-Italian singer and songwriter. Born in Santo Domingo, YEИDRY recalled her journey of migrating to Italy at age 4, after a year spent apart from her mother, and the tribute she paid to her in the song Nena. YEИDRY composes in Spanish, English and Italian and she collaborated with reggae legend Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley and Congolese-Belgian singer Lous and The Yakuza. For the past year, YEИDRY has been busy working on her debut album in Latin America and in Miami, she shared with us her ambition to experiment different genres and bridge her Caribbean and European cultures through music. She also described her reaction when she learned that she was featured on Barack Obama’s “Favorite Music of 2021” and how this recognition inspired other young women.
For the #27 episode of We Belong, we met Dr. Pierrette Herzberger-Fofana, a German Member of the European Parliament and one of the six elected female MEPs of African descent. In June 2020, in the aftermath of George Floyd’s death and as she was heading to the European Parliament for the adoption of the historical Anti-Racism Resolution, Dr. Pierrette denounced having been victim of police violence on the basis of discrimination. In conversation with Dr. Pierrette, we discussed how she got elected, the importance of having more diversity in spheres of power in order to ensure representation and the need to foster anti-racism policies, based on her personal experience. Representation Matters is a campaign launched by We Belong Europe, advocating for the inclusion of minorities in spheres of power.
For the #26 episode of We Belong, we met Samira Rafaela, a Member of the European Parliament to discuss Why Representation Matters. Elected in 2019, she is not only one of the youngest elected euro-deputies, but she is also the first Dutch MEP with Afro-Caribbean roots. Rafaela ran on the promise to fight for a strong, social and secure Europe. She strongly believes that the EU is at its best when we work together to diminish inequality and celebrate our diversity. In conversation with Samira, she shared with us her upbringing in the Netherlands, how she makes her diversity a strength and her priorities on the fight against racism during her mandate at the European Parliament. Representation Matters is a campaign launched by We Belong Europe, advocating for the inclusion of minorities in spheres of power.
For the #25 episode of We Belong, we met Elozi Lomponda, a professional in foreign policy and founder of DLSP, a Charity enabling young people and women living in areas located near the Congo River to access quality education. Since 2013, Elozi has held a position at the Belgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In 2015, the news that nine school children had died when their canoe overturned on the Congo River spurred her to set up the Charity DLSP. Since then, her Charity impacted more than 400 children. In conversation with Elozi, we discussed her journey at the Belgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, that she joined at only 24, and her mission to give back to both Belgium and DRC, the country of her roots.
For the #24 episode of We Belong, we met Nadia Nadim, an Afghan-Danish professional footballer. Nadia is considered the most influential and greatest Afghan female football player of all time, particularly as she won the French league title in the 2020-21 season with Paris Saint-Germain. She was only 11 when her father was murdered by the Taliban, and she was forced to evacuate to find refuge in Denmark. There, she discovered a passion for football and she has earned success after success, having represented the Denmark's National Team since 2009. In conversation with Nadia, we discussed how she keeps pushing boundaries despite the criticisms she faces in the media, but also her ambition to prove that a professional football player can also become a doctor. Nadia is a compassionate woman and she is currently attending medical school to become a surgeon and give back to humanity. Episode produced in partnership with WISE Qatar.
For the #23 episode of We Belong, we met Mariya Atanasova, from Bulgaria! As an activist, she was recognised Young European of the Year 2020 by the Schwarzkopf Foundation for her efforts to increase the visibility of young Roma people, and she also received the Woman in Youth Activism Award the same year. As a young Roma in Bulgaria, Mariya experienced discrimination at an early age. She then became a member of the Roma Youth Volunteer Network where her mentorship work contributes to uplifting one of Europe’s most disadvantaged minorities. In conversation with Mariya, we discussed her journey as an activist, the importance of receiving such a title as the Young European of the Year, the impact these recognitions have for broader communities and the importance to occupy spaces in spheres of power and influence.
For the #22 episode of We Belong, we met Nuna, from Portugal! As an intersectional activist, Nuna unpacks what it means to be a Black woman in her society. She is also a multidisciplinary artist and she defines herself as a revisionist: she challenges traditional narrations on colonialism and she reflects on how history shapes privilege and equality in our societies. In conversation with Nuna, we discussed her journey as a neurodiverse person, the endless ambition that defines her and how she takes courage to tackle injustice and racism through social media.
For the #21 episode of We Belong, we met the resilient and inspiring Kamilla Sultanova. Born in Uzbekistan, raised in Denmark and now living in Finland, Kamilla is an entrepreneur and powerful keynote speaker, running her own culturally responsive consulting company ConnectUz. Passionate about promoting tolerance in Europe, she hosts online and offline workshops on different topics from diversity and inclusion, to cultural onboarding and event facilitation. In conversation with Kamilla, we discussed her journey to Europe, the region of her roots and the current growing instability with the Taliban threat in Afghanistan. Finally, we reflected on how to navigate multiple identities and the importance of finding a mentor to help us grow.