Soup for thought

Refugees on the road to integration

Stir your thoughts over hot soup and hotter topics.

How does the journey of people who flee their country unfold, and what does integration really mean in Belgium? In the context of the new opera Ali, Pascal Debruyne, Ciska Vandendrieessche (Ali’s foster mother), and Hussein Rassim discuss the experiences of refugees in Belgium: the power of sharing one’s story, leaving a home behind, finding a new place to belong, and the role of policy in that process.

From 12:15 p.m., you are welcome to enjoy a bowl of vegetarian soup prepared by Atelier Groot Eiland. After the talk, there will be time for questions from the audience.

ABOUT THE SPEAKERS

Pascal Debruyne, PhD in Political and Social Sciences, is a lecturer and researcher at Odisee University of Applied Sciences, affiliated with the Knowledge Centre for Family Sciences and the Research Centre for Social Work. His work focuses on the impact of migration and integration policies on those who experience and endure them. He is the author of Gezinshereniging onder druk (“Family Reunification under Pressure”) and co-author of Vluchtelingengezinnen na erkenning: Barrières en trajecten naar inclusie (“Refugee Families after Recognition: Barriers and Paths to Inclusion”).

Ciska Vandendrieessche has been active in the Brussels (socio-)cultural sector since 2007. She is passionate about artistic work as a driving force for a more inclusive and equitable society. Since March 2020, she has been the foster mother of Ali, who fled from Somalia.

Hussein Rassim is an Iraqi oud player based in Brussels, known for his performances of both traditional and contemporary Middle Eastern music. He graduated from the Baghdad Institute of Musical Studies and has performed with renowned ensembles such as Solo Baghdad, Arumbo, and Nawarís. He currently performs with Jaqamaz and Tarab Machine. His music bridges cultures and tells stories of heritage, migration, and resilience with every note.

Soup for Thought is a collaboration between Brussels Academy, CCV, Citizenne, CM, Davidsfonds, huisvandeMens, Humanistisch Verbond, Internationaal Comité, Louis Paul Boonkring, Masereelfonds, Mensen & Wetenschap, Muntpunt, Odisee, OKRA, UCOS, Vermeylenfonds, VUB, and Willemsfonds.