'The Voice of the international Brusseler'

Night of debate and discussion at StamEuropa in the European Quarter

On Monday the 18th of October we will bring together a group of international Brusselers for a debate on the democratic representation of the international citizen of Brussels. Join us at StamEuropa, in the heart of the European Quarter, for a discussion on the issues that matter to international Brusselers. With Brussels' secretary of state Pascal Smet (one.brussels), commissioner for Brussels Alain Hutchinson and several representatives of the international community in Brussels. 

One in three Brussels’ citizens has no voting right for the Regional elections. Many important decisions on their life in the city are taken without them having a say. On the new platform 
Live here. Speak, hear. launched by commissioner.brussels, upon the initiative of State Secretary Pascal Smet, for the first time international Brusselers are invited to have their say. 

Now it’s time to meet up in real life: one.brussels is bringing together a group of experts, politicians and international Brusselers to open up the discussion on the issue of democratic representation, and to find out what they think is important. Join us.

Registrations via:  www.one.brussels/en/brussel/the-voice-of-the-international-brusseler

The programme

19h30 – Start of the event – welcoming words by moderator Gerard Oosterwijk of one.brussels 

19h35 – Opening remarks by Alain HUTCHINSON, the commissioner for Brussels, on the Live here. Speak, hear. Participation project. 

19h50 – First panel – the democratic deficit of Brussels, how to include the international Brusselers in our regional and local democracy

  • Brussels' state secretary Pascal SMET responsible for European and International relations
  • Ilaria MASELLI - Senior Economist Europe bij The Conference Board, Vice President Visit.brussels and one of the initiators of the ‘I Vote Where I Live’ campaign 
  • Dagmar OTTEVANGERS of the 1bru1vote campaign to give international Brusselers voting rights
  • Laurin BERRESHEIM – president of the JUSOS Brussel

Discussion with the audience 

20h30 – second panel – what can be done locally to involve internationals in decision making 

  • Brussels member of parliament Els Rochette (one.brussels) living in Vorst 
  • Claudio Sartorelli – active in the commune of Sint-Gilles
  • Myriam Martins Gistelinck – vice president of the OCMW of Etterbeek 
  • Federico Mori – active in the commune of Molenbeek 

Discussion with the audience 

21h15 – closing remarks and conclusion followed by drinks 

Over one.brussels

one.brussels
Eikstraat 14-16
1000 Brussel