In this episode, Sofiia talks to Georgia Brooks, a passionate advocate for women’s rights working for greater gender equality and inclusion. Georgia currently is based in Brussels, with professional experience throughout Europe and the Middle East. Most people know Georgia as a founder of The Nine, Belgium’s first female membership club. Fairly so, as The Nine brought a space for women in Brussels, that this city has not yet seen before. As Georgia describes The Nine activities and events herself: “from professional workshops, art exhibitions to drag queen shows - to have a little bit of fun because sometimes, I think, Brussels could be very, very serious”.

However, besides The Nine, Georgia also runs a non-profit Fempower Initiative, dedicated to improving the lives of girls and young women living in disadvantaged areas in the Middle East. More about Georgia, her work, projects and life… you can learn by listening to this episode.

If you want to connect to Georgia, check out her LinkedIn account.

Relevant links and recommendations:

Georgia Brooks: Power 40 — Brussels class of 2023

Learn more about The Nine

Lear more about Fempower Initiative

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Podcast hosted by Sofiia Shevchuk

Visuals and podcast production by Tamas Viski

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Sofiia talks to Christina Wunder, who works at the intersection of tech, policy and sustainability. In Brussels, Christina is also known as a founder and a community organiser at Idealist Quarterly, quarterly events for people who are pushing for social, economic and climate justice.

Christina grew up as an immigrant child in a small town in Germany, where her childhood was very different, as oppose to her current expat life in Brussels, Belgium. Early on Christina became aware of the privileges, being discriminated herself on many occasions. Much later in her life, as the flood in her home region happened, being in a very dark space herself, realising all the injustices in the world related to colonialism, patriarchy, white supremacy and capitalism... Christina felt like she needs to do something about it. She started with afterwork drinks with a few friends that work on the issues. More and more people were joining the conversations, which grew into Idealist Quarterly community and events that gather at least a hundred of engaged and interested citizens to talk about sustainability, policy and tech.

Listen to the whole episode to learn more about Christina's journey, career, and events, as well as speakers and attendees that join. Moreover, if you are in Brussels, be sure to join Christina for the next Idealist Quarterly event.

If you want to connect to Christina, check out her LinkedIn and Twitter accounts.

Relevant links and recommendations:

Idealist Quarterly Newsletter

Idealist Quarterly events

For more on VONA:

Sign up for our monthly Newsletter at www.VONA.international

Instagram @vona.international

Twitter @VONA_int

LinkedIn VONA International

Podcast hosted by Sofiia Shevchuk

Visuals and podcast production by Tamas Viski

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Sofiia talks to Suzana Carp independent EU climate and energy specialist, working currently on supporting Cleantech for Europe as its deputy Executive Director but also is a Head of list (FR) of Volt Belgium for the 2024 European elections. Suzana grew up in the Black Sea region country, Romania, and since her school years in 1990s became passionate about environment and climate topics, as she reflects on some of her school years activist memories. Suzana travelled the world before landing in Brussels, but it was exactly her school years that affected her choice to work on climate and environment portfolio throughout her career in various countries and organisations. With Brexit, Suzana also became deeply involved in democratic, social and citizenship questions. Following many award winning and successful engagements with several international NGOs as well as EU institutions, today Suzana decided to run for the EU elections. Why she decided to run, which party she represents, what are her aspirations for when she is elected, and which struggles she faces in her campaign… - learn all of this in the episode.

If you want to connect to Suzana, check out her LinkedIn and Twitter accounts.

Relevant links and recommendations:

Check out Suzana’s webpage - https://suzanacarp4eu.be/

The Climate Action Blind Spot in EU Democracy - by Suzana Carp

For more on VONA:

Sign up for our monthly Newsletter at www.VONA.international

Instagram @vona.international

Twitter @VONA_int

LinkedIn VONA International

Podcast hosted by Sofiia Shevchuk

Visuals and podcast production by Tamas Viski

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.