Conference of Brussels-based international solidarity organisations in the Parliament of the Brussels-Capital Region

On 17 November 2022, Soliris.brussels, the Brussels platform for international solidarity, organised its annual conference in the Parliament of the Brussels-Capital Region. Pascal Smet, the Brussels state secretary responsible for cooperation development, reiterated his support to the platform in his speech.

Soliris.brussels was established in 2020 to facilitate the exchange of information, tools, and good practices between Brussels-based international solidarity organisations.

It provides a platform for encounters between the ‘international solidarity’ and ‘world citizenship and solidarity’ services of municipal councils on the one hand and the members of civil society organisations that represent the many diasporas in the Brussels-Capital Region (Congolese, Cameroonian, Guinean, Horn of Africa, and so on), on the other. These two groups, which all too often are confined to their primary environment, have had the opportunity to meet at various events thanks to Soliris.brussels.

The annual conference of Soliris.brussels at the Brussels Parliament

On 17 November 2022, the Parliament of Brussels-Capital Region hosted the annual conference of the Soliris.brussels platform.

Pascal Smet, the Brussels state secretary for development cooperation who encourages the strengthening of international solidarity in the Brussels-Capital Region, reiterated his support to the platform on the occasion of the conference.

The seated participants listen to Pascal Smet’s speech. — Pascal Smet, Brussels state secretary for cooperation development, reiterated his support to Soliris.brussels.

Panel discussions between international solidarity organisations

Several panel discussions were organised with representatives of the Commune of Anderlecht, the City of Brussels, ACODEV (the federation of NGOs for development cooperation), the non-profit organisation Change and other civil society organisations (NGOs, diasporas, international federations).

The meeting gave participants an opportunity to reflect on various issues: what is the place of gender equality in international solidarity? How can the cultural sector develop partnerships with international cooperation organisations? How to better understand the multiple aspects and forms of decolonisation and which action to take?

The participants are seated around a table during the meeting. — Panel discussion on gender equality in international solidarity.

The day ended on a tasty note with healthy, Syrian specialties from Nakanek, a food truck managed by See Me, the non-profit organisation that promotes the expertise of refugees and facilitates their social-professional inclusion.

For more information, check the latest news and newsletter of Soliris.brussels.