Let’s Mobilize for a Europe We Want: Voices of New Women

The gathering is part of a series BAK, in which BAK joins forces with other organizations in addressing shared urgencies and developing propositions for “being together otherwise”. During this gathering, migration policies are discussed by and with refugees and migrants, in the context of the upcoming European elections. New Women Connectors believe that in this time of normalization of far-right populism and contemporary fascism, it is urgent to develop proposals to fight for a Europe respecting human dignity and fundamental rights. Three invited speakers—Voices—share their work through presentations followed by discussions. The Voices are Anila Noor, refugee activist and founder of the New Women Connectors, Marlon Toledo Lacsamana, LGBTQ and migrant activist born and raised in the Philippines, and Reshad Jalali, refugee activist and Policy Officer at the European Council on Refugees and Exiles, Brussels.

New Women Connectors’ Voice to join: “What is at stake at the European Elections 2019? Many of us are deeply shocked to witness a European political debate and reality dominated by a small but loud minority of far-right populists and their anti-EU, anti-democratic, and anti-civil rights agendas, carried forward and legitimised by racist slogans demonising migrants, asylum seekers, and refugees. Yet they have intimidated their way from the political periphery to the centre of the EU and its member states’ policies, and have sparked a political crisis with real and severe impacts on our people, societies, and unity. We can win! The majority of Europeans are willing to accept migrants and refugees and respect their fundamental rights. If they turn up and vote that can become a reality.”

Practicalities The gathering takes place at BAK, Pauwstraat 13a, Utrecht. Please register for the event by 7 April 2019 by email to newwomenconnectors@mail.com. This information will be shared with BAK for organizational purposes. The gathering will be conducted in English. We look forward to welcoming you to this day! Please feel free to forward this invitation to others who might be interested.

About the New Women Connectors and the team of BAK BAK, basis voor actuele kunst BAK, basis voor actuele kunst, is a base for art, theory, and social action. Based in Utrecht, BAK addresses the social, ideological, and environmental urgencies of the present by combining public programming and exhibition-making with research, learning, and talent development. The curriculum of the upcoming project with Jeanne van Heeswijk includes research, community learnings, trainings, theoretical frameworks, performative workshops, artworks, ‘learning objects’, and conversations designed to develop possibilities for a future of being together otherwise.

New Women Connectors New Women Connectors is a platform that strives to connect newcomers and migrants, with a strong focus on women, and to amplify the voices of those who often feel voiceless. Envisioned, created, and led by migrant refugee women, New Women Connectors focuses on ensuring all voices are heard and responded to, so those migrant refugee women can feel empowered. New Women Connectors believe that, by creating an open platform, the exchange of dialogue and listening to one another can be facilitated. As a result, these efforts will lead to collaborative solutions to urgent matters faced by migrant women in European cities. New Women Connectors are based in Utrecht and Amsterdam.