Our Story
We met as a group of 12 women back in May 2018 at the EL Dar house in Molenbeek. Loredana our host and founder of Dar al Amal (House of Hope, the women's work of Foyer) in Brussels ensured a steady supply of wisdom, mint tea and Moroccan biscuits. We spoke and laughed and discussed in many languages, trying to work out what it is that we shared, what was the common thread of our dream. Trying to find a common voice, a common language, a common path for action.
What we came up with after a few Saturday mornings in Molenbeek is what has become W100. We built a common charter of principles and values. We brought a deep conviction of the importance of diversity and a commitment to inclusion. We understood that women were at the heart of our project, and that we wanted to create a space for women from all parts of Brussels to meet and discuss and build a common understanding. A common vision for our city.
We come from the four corners of Brussels, our parents from the four corners of the world. We live and work in different spaces, but we have come together united by our love of Brussels, our belief in citizen’s active participation and our belief that women can build bridges.
Active in different work for women’s rights, social and democratic justice in Brussels, in Belgium in Europe and the World, we found ourselves wondering how we could bring this energy together to build an innovative space for the phenomenal women of Brussels to come together to celebrate the city and build a more sustainable and cohesive city of the future.
We tell the different paths that brought us to this collective action below. These are just some of the many stories and paths that we hope others will bring into the future of W100 too.
Joanna, Tanja & Rozina
The first time Joanna, Tanja and Rozina met together was at special meeting of the 'Burger Cabinet’ for international Brussels residents held in 2017 in Brussels. Organized by the Flemish Ministry of Youth, Media and Culture.
The idea of the meeting was to get perspectives from Brussels international community to complement a process that already consulted with the francophone and nederlandstalig Brussels communities. Bringing these 40 people together to discuss the challenges and solutions in a participatory manner stimulated many creative initiatives. The diverse mix of nationalities and experiences led to many ideas to build more bridges between the international community and the “local” Belgian population: though it was quickly evident that these descriptions were also misleading and over simplified.
Some of the international participants had been living in Belgium for more than 20 years and had taken Belgian citizenship, and/or had Belgian partners and children; other Belgian citizens had moved from elsewhere in Belgium to Brussels more recently. A few interesting projects were presented including those of Joanna, Tanja and Rozina. Projects suggestions of a 'Citizens Parliament' to the 'Women Building Bridges', the first planting of the seed of our Women 100 project.
The three active women stayed in touch and connected with via the many dynamic citizen led initiatives throughout Brussels. Including the 'LOBAW - League of Badass Women of Brussels'. Along with other cultural, women orientated events and conferences in Brussels that they either organized or participated in over the last years. Such as the intimate ‘Women in Brussels’ discussions and a female led dance event. Bringing a cross cultural Indian/Flamenco dance fusion and a opera and chocolate dynamic event together, as part of the Hospitality Festival that Rozina and Tanja organized and participated in together.
Realizing their innate desire to create a more inclusive, participatory, female-led and diverse Brussels, through connecting people, it was natural for them to come together for W100.
Loredana - Brussels in Dialogue
Brussels in Dialogue traces its origins back to Dialogue Day, which has been organized by Foyer since 2007, inspired by a Dutch initiative. With Brussels in Dialogue, Foyer and several partner organizations want to bring people from various backgrounds together for a unique encounter.
At different sites across the city, diverse groups of 6-10 people gathers around a table to share experiences and thoughts relating to a specific theme. A trained dialogue facilitator breaks the ice and ensures that the conversation runs smoothly. Getting to know one another, listening, sharing dreams and thinking about concrete actions are central to the dialogue. Thus, Brussels in Dialogue wants to stimulate active citizenship and meetings between a wide variety of people.
The very first Dialogue Day was held in Rotterdam in 2001, just after the terror of 9/11 in New York, and that was no coincidence. In order to bring individuals and communities closer together, a group of people wanted to foster social cohesion in Dutch society.
The very first Dialogue Day was held in Rotterdam in 2001, just after the terror of 9/11 in New York, and that was no coincidence. In order to bring individuals and communities closer together, a group of people wanted to foster social cohesion in Dutch society. Dialogue revealed itself to be the tool of choice: whereas discussion and debate tend to have a polarizing effect, dialogue and a willingness to listen contribute to true mutual understanding. Foyer wants to do the same thing in Brussels: bring people together to talk with one another in a constructive way – to build this city on dialogue.
Fatima & Cato
Join the W100 Team!
Are you passionate about empowering women and looking to make an impact? Become a volunteer or intern at W100, where you’ll gain hands-on experience, build meaningful connections, and contribute to impactful projects for women’s advancement.