Program

The Minister-President and the Minister of Women’s rights f the Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles cordially invite you to the international conference “All united for the right to abortion”..

21st June 2018 : evening launch

@ Botanique / Rue Royale 236, 1210 Saint-Josse-ten-Noode

Animation and moderation : Florence HAINAUT, journalist

  • 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM: welcome drink, associations stands, participative piece of art (artist: Maria Fernanda Guzman)
  • 7:30 PM – 8:00PM: artistic and activist interventions
  • 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM: two voices reading and video performance
    • Readers : Natacha Régnier and Emmanuel Dekoninck
    • Text extracts (the programmation is underway) :
      • La vacation by Martin Winckler
      • Hôpital silence by Nicole Malinconi
      • L’évènement by Annie Ernaux
    • Production:  asbl VentDebout – Text editing: Sylvie Ballul – Video : Lou Colpé
  • 9:00 PM – 11:00 PM: cocktail and networking

During all evening, the following associations will present their work and publications regarding their fight for the right to abortion:

  • GACEHPA (Groupe d’Action des Centres Extrahospitaliers Pratiquant l’Avortement)
  • “Elles sans frontières” nonprofit organization
  • Conseil Francophone des Femmes de Belgique
  • The Abortion Right Platform
  • The Fédération des Centres de Planning Familial (FCPF) des Femmes Prévoyantes Socialistes

22nd June 2018 : international forum

@ Hotel NH Brussels Bloom / Rue Royale 250, 1210 Saint-Josse-ten-Noode

Animation et modération : Safia KESSAS, journalist; and David LALLEMAND, journalist

  • 8 AM – 9 AM: welcome and registration
  • 9 AM – 09:45 AM: motivation behind the project and overview of the abortion situation in Belgium and Europe

    • Rudy DEMOTTE, Minister-President of Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles
    • Isabelle SIMONIS, Minister of Women’s rights, Youth, Equal opportunities and Social advancement Education of Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles
    • Sylvie LAUSBERG, spokesperson, Abortion Right Platform – Presentation of the abortion situation in Europe
    • Julie PAPAZOGLOU, project manager for « Study and Strategy», Centre d’Action Laïque – Legal levers
  • 9:45 – 11:00 AM: obstacles and resistance in Europe 
    • Dr Carolina Rivas, gynecologist, Spain
    • Ailbhe SMYTH, spokesperson for the Repeal the Eight movement, Irland
    • Krystyna KACPURA, executive director, Federation for Women and Family Planning, Poland
    • Dr Mirella PARACHINI, vice-president, International Federation of Professional Abortion and Contraception Associates, Italy

Overview and recommandations: Ann FUREDI, executive director, British Pregnancy Advisory Service, United Kingdom

  • 11:00 – 11:30 AM: coffee break and networking
  • 11:30 AM – 1 PM: obstacles and resistance outside Europe – Francophonie
    • Docteur Chafik CHRAÏBI, president, Association marocaine de lutte contre l’avortement clandestin, Morocco
    • Nadine LOUIS, former director of programs, Association pour la Promotion de la Famille Haïtienne (PROFAMIL), Haiti
    • Sonia BEN CHEIKH, Secretary of State to the Minister of Health, Tunisia
    • Justine MEKUI, midwife, Gabon

Overview and recommandations: Cecilia DA COSTA, co-founder, Women Help Women

  • 1 – 2 PM: lunch
  • 2 – 3 PM: levers for a better access to abortion at the local level
    • Marleen TEMMERMAN, professor, University Aga Khan de Nairobi (Kenya) and Gent University (Belgium), former director of reproductive health and research, World Health Organization
    • Irène DONADIO, supervisor of Public Health, International Planned Parenthood Federation
    • Neil DATTA, executive director, European Parliamentary Forum
  • 3 – 4:30 PM: political commitments and recommandations in Europe
    Panel discussion led by Geneviève COURAUD, president, Health Commission of the High Council for Equality between women and men, France

    • Violaine LUCAS, coordinator, Clause de l’européenne la plus favorisée au sein de Choisir et de yeswomen.eu, France
    • Marie ARENA, member of the European Parliament, Belgium
    • Terry REINTKE, member of the European Parliament, Germany
    • Barbara NOWACKA, political representative, Poland
    • Laura BOLDRINI, member of the italian Parliament, former president of the italian chambers of Deputies, Italy
  • 4:30 – 5:30 PM: conclusion and signature of the Declaration of Brussels

 

How to get there?