REPCO

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

For the #45 episode, we introduce you to Nadia Kendall, Head of Hidden Disabilities at We Belong Europe.  Nadia has a law and politics background, she is both American and Luxembourg, with Iranian and Caribbean backgrounds. Since a young age, Nadia experienced gastrointestinal pain and she was misdiagnosed til her later teenage years. In conversation, with Nadia, we discussed the struggle that people with hidden disabilities face to get properly diagnosed and the impact of being invalidated. We also discussed our brand new program NeuroEquity, that she coordinates, where we will support affected individuals with workshops, research and advocacy campaigns. https://www.webelongeurope.com/hiddendisabilitiesprogram With the support of André Losch Foundation.

For the #44 episode of We Belong, we met Daniela Ragni, the Director of the André Losch Foundation. Since 2023, the André Losch Foundation supports We Belong Europe through our PowHer Leadership Program. The Foundation has independently supported projects dedicated to young people in Luxembourg, in the fields of education, social inclusion and health. Daniela leads the Foundation on strategic and operational development since 2019. During her career, Daniela has worked for around twenty years within non-governmental organisations active in the social and International Cooperation in Luxembourg, by occupying several management positions, notably at Fairtrade asbl and the Caritas Foundation.  In conversation with Daniela, we discussed her inspiring journey from Italy to Luxembourg, what motivated the Foundation to support We Belong and why they believe in our program PowHer. Episode produced by Cecilia Said Vieira. With the support of André Losch Foundation.

For the #43 episode of We Belong, we were in Berlin to meet Mina Saidze, the Author of FairTech, Founder of Inclusive Tech and a Forbes 30 Under 30. Mina’s mission is to democratise Big Data and Artificial Intelligence by creating a bridge between tech and business. She decided to found Inclusive Tech to challenge the status-quo in the tech industry. Today, Inclusive Tech is Europe’s first advocacy and consulting organisation for Diversity in Tech and AI Ethics. In conversation with Mina, we discussed her family story, her mission to make Tech and AI accessible to everyone and her aspirations for the next years through her business venture. She is the daughter of political activists from Afghanistan that fled the country to offer their children a better life. Her family story inspired her throughout her whole life and she is the first woman in her family to graduate university.

For the #42 episode of We Belong, we met Adeola Naomi Aderemi, a multilingual, multilocal, AfroGreek, and multi-format artist, scholar, curator, and healer.  Adeola has been working as a curator, yoga therapist, and editor in chief of Distinguished Diva. Her debut documentary film “I am Afro-Greek” covers the lives and lived experiences of Greeks of African descent. She utilises the integration of holistic healing practices in policy places and modalities of care available on issues around Black women’s liberation, gender justice, women’s health, and equal representation for voices of women of African descent in global media. Her work in various mediums has been featured in publications such as Women Under Siege, New York Times, Ms. Magazine, New Museum New York, Forbes, E-flux, Elle, and Vogue. In conversation with Adeola, we discussed her experience living in Greece (and around the world), her volunteer work for refugees and migrants coming to Greece and her commitment to foster diversity in the media and creative industries through her documentary I am Afro-Greek.

For the #41 episode of We Belong, we met Kristina Lunz, an entrepreneur, author, and activist. She is the Co-Founder and Co-CEO of the Centre for Feminist Foreign Policy, she was named among the "30 under 30" by Forbes and she was the German face of Giorgio Armani's Female Empowerment campaign "Crossroads" in 2022. Kristina served as an external advisor for the German Foreign Office and UNDP, among others. In her work from New York to Bogotá, from Germany to Myanmar, she became aware of a stubborn unwillingness to think past the status quo and to embrace new, innovative voices from marginalized groups. She also saw that the tradition of feminist activism combined brilliantly with diplomacy: both require grim tenacity, boundless creativity and a solutions-oriented approach. In conversation with Kristina, we discussed her bestseller "The Future of Foreign Policy is Feminist" that promotes an inclusive, visionary policy where genders are equally represented. Episode recorded at INNSiDE by Melia Luxembourg. With the Support of André Losch Foundation.