Conversations with youth for a Credible Future: Rethinking “development cooperation”
📅Friday September 19, 2025
⏰5 PM – 9 PM
📍Enabel, Rue Haute 147, 1000 Brussels (Hybrid: in person and online)
🗣 English & French (translation available)
💬 A call for critical reflection and dialogue
Why this event?
Official development assistance (ODA) is under unprecedented pressure. Deep budget cuts and declining public support are driving the sector through a period of transition. In this context, Je m’engage pour l’Afrique (JMA) and BeGlobal invite you to Brussels on September 19, 2025, for two important conversations about the future of official development assistance.
In January 2025, the sudden suspension of USAID shook the international development world. In Europe, ODA is also under fire: -35% in France, -25% in Belgium, and up to -66% in the Netherlands by 2027. These cuts affect lives worldwide and threaten global solidarity.
But: is ODA still relevant? Should it be reformed or completely reimagined? And how can citizens be involved in this critical conversation?
🗣Two key discussions:
Conversation 1 – A distant reality of citizens: is ODA still worth supporting?
ODA is often misunderstood in the public discours. It’s not a simple form of aid asit involves loans, partnerships, and long-term strategies. We’ll unpack the political and historical roots of ODA and set the stage for a deeper debate. This first discussion raises the key questions that will be addressed in the second conversation.
Conversation 2 – International cooperation in crisis: reallocate resources or change the paradigm?
And now? What are the alternatives? From new financing mechanisms, innovative partnerships, epistemic justice, local ownership and fair partnerships… This session will explore new pathways for a more just, effective, and sustainable international cooperation.
📌Programme
17h – Introduction
- Jean VAN WETTER – CEO Enabel
- Ileana SANTOS – Co-founder Je m’engage pour l’Afrique
- Stefano MANSERVISI – Chair of the Governing Board GCERF
- Alexander DE CROO – Former prime minister of Belgium
Conversation 1 – A distant reality of citizens: is ODA still worth supporting?
Panelists
- Kalvin SOIRESSE NJALL – Member of Parliament, Brussels-Capital Region
- Holy RANAIVOZANANY – Executive Director of the Africa Europe Foundation
- Ousmane SORO – Former Reciprocity Volunteer, France Volontaires
- Adelaide HIRWE – Secretary General AU Youth Initiative
Moderator
Felipe BOSCH – Executive Director Intergenerational Center for Global Action
Conversation 2 – International cooperation in crisis: reallocate resources or change the paradigm?
Panelists
- Zunera RANA – Researcher Radboud University
- Mouctar BAH – President of Brussels Africa Hub
- Alice HUBENS – Sustainable Procurement Officer / Youth Sounding Board of Enabel
- Emily Wigens – EU Directer ONE Campaign
Moderator
Sara KINSBERGEN – Professor of Anthropology and Development Studies Radboud Universiteit
Keynote
Balázs NEMETH – Sustainability Manager Brussels Airlines
Adélaïde CHARLIER – European Climate & Human Rights Advocate
Conclusion
David VAN REYBROUCK – Writer, Historian & Playwriter
20-21h – Reception
For who?
Students, young changemakers, professionals, activists, entrepreneurs, or curious citizens –this event is for everyone, with a with a special focus on youth-led perspectives and participation.
📍 Practical
- Location: Enabel, Rue Haute/Hoogstraat 147, Brussels
- Date & time : September 19, 2025 from 5 PM to 9 PM
- Format: hybrid (in-person + online)
🤝 Organised by
Je m’engage pour l’Afrique
JMA is a non-political association that supports engaged citizens, project coordinators, association representatives, and entrepreneurs in valuing their experiences, formulating concrete policy proposals, and actively participating in public debate.
Practitioners’ Network
Organised in the context of Enabel’s co-presidency (together with SIDA) of the Practitioners’ Network, the platform of European international cooperation agencies.
BeGlobal – Enabel
BeGlobal is Enabel’s youth porgramme, through global citizenship education, it fosters youth engagement for a more just and sustainable world.
Be part of the conversation that will shape the future of public development aid!
Webinar: "Global citizenship education through the approaches of actors from the South: towards transformative partnerships and a renewal of Western visions"
Webinar: Global citizenship education through the approaches of actors from the South: towards transformative partnerships and a renewal of Western visions
Tuesday March 18, 2025 | 12:30 – 2:00 PM (CET)
Global Citizenship Education (GCE) is a crucial tool for understanding global interdependencies and fostering engagement for a fairer and more inclusive world. But how is it conceived and implemented by actors in the Global South? What challenges and dynamics shape their work?
BeGlobal invites you to a special webinar to explore the findings of the report “Panorama of Global Citizenship and International Solidarity Education Actors in the Global South”.
A Decentered Approach to Renew Our Perspectives
This study, commissioned by AFD in 2024, offers a decentered, non-Western perspective on GCE. It analyzes the diversity of concepts, approaches, and visions for change led by actors in the Global South, shedding light on key dynamics and challenges.
A Dialogue to Strengthen Partnerships
By joining this webinar, you will:
- Discover innovative practices and perspectives from the Global South;
- Challenge dominant models and enrich your approach to GCE;
- Reflect on fairer and transformative partnerships.
- Date: March 18, 2025
- Time: 12:30 – 2:00 PM (CET)
- Language: French, with simultaneous English translation
Practical Information
Read the full report here (FR): AFD – Panorama des actrices et acteurs de l’ECSI aux Suds
Join us to rethink the challenges and practices of Global Citizenship Education together!
SoliDare Festival
Come out there and meet the world!
SoliDare Fest is back in Brussels on 14 and 15 February. This one-of-a-kind festival, organized by and for young people is open to anyone aged 16 to 30 to discover international solidarity and its many dimensions over two days. Do you want to offer your pupils/students a unique opportunity to meet and learn from interesting people as part of a school trip? Then mark Friday 14 February on your calendar.
What is SoliDare Fest?
An educational, inspiring and enriching festival that boost young people’s critical and citizenship mindsets. It is an occasion to get to know NGOs, international organisations and committed young people from all over Belgium.
Young people can explore and discuss challenges such as the environment, decolonisation and socio-economic and gender inequalities.
Programme
The festival will take place on Friday 14 and Saturday 15 February from 10 am to 6.30 pm, with a similar programme on both days:
- Inspirational debates: a reflection on the future of international solidarity with young people by SoliDare, a roundtable discussion between young people and key figures in official international cooperation and a debate on the role of young people in official NGOs with the CNCD-11.11.11.
- Various workshops:
- Martial Arts for Peace by We See You
- Traditional Afar singing and dancing by FIDA
- Fast fashion reflection through screen printing by Latitude Jeunes
- And many more, led by various actors and NGOs working on global citizenship education (WBE) and international solidarity: Broederlijk Delen, Djapo, KIYO, CNAPD, YOUCA, UCOS, VLIR-UOS, UHasselt, ARES, Jagora, Join for Water, WSM, Bibliothèques Sans Frontières, Défi Belgique Afrique, 11. 11.11, CNCD-11.11.11, Oxfam Solidarity, IOM, CEC, 4th Pillar Support Centre, Enabel Junior Program, Diocese Kasongo, …
- Numerous info stands for young people on volunteering, career opportunities in international cooperation, activism and so on.
- Interactive art installations: painting in collaboration with the Palestinian artists of A Land With A People and the VR experience of Draw for Change.
- Meetings with young activists by Intal and young people from Amnesty International
- Theatre: ‘Le passe tête’, the touching testimony of an immigrant without papers
- Exhibitions: KABA Art Initiatives, Draw for Change and a short documentary on reforestation in Rwanda
- Music: various concerts, keep an eye out!
- And of course, there will be plenty of opportunity to enjoy delicious dishes that taste of international solidarity. These will be prepared by Brussels-based caterer, Ben’s Tables.
Where and when?
At Capital asbl/vzw, Antwerpselaan 40, 1000 Brussels
- 14 February 2025: for schools and pupils/students aged 16 and older
- 15 February 2025: for all young people aged 16 to 30
Are you an engaged teacher?
Do you want to encourage your pupils/students to engage in international solidarity? Participate with your class or teaching group in SoliDare Fest on Friday, 14 February! Register your class/lesson group now via the link below and encourage your pupils/students to build a more inclusive future.👇
Do you have questions?
Don’t hesitate to contact us through beglobal@enabel.be.
