On 30 April, the steps of the Learning and Innovation Center (LIC) on the campus of the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) set the scene for the eighth edition of Students’ Speakers’ Corner. Surrounded by greenery and open architecture, the space took on the feel of a modern amphitheatre: an atrium where voices carried and audiences gathered naturally.
An initiative by the Universitaire Associatie Brussel, in collaboration with VUB, Erasmushogeschool Brussel and PACT, once again brought Brussels students together around a simple yet powerful idea: an open stage, five minutes to speak, and an audience that chooses to stay and listen. For the first time, the event stood on its own, separate from Difference Day, the annual day dedicated to press freedom and freedom of expression.
For student Nouhaila, it was a chance to address a growing lack of empathy. “Our voice is the most powerful instrument we have, yet we use it too little,” she says. With her speech, she invites people to reflect on how we treat one another.
“We have a powerful voice, but we use it too little”
Student Saskia also starts from personal experience. She focuses on breaking down rigid labels—something she has encountered herself. Students are too often judged by categories rather than by their talent or perseverance. By exposing this mechanism, she aims to create space for nuance and connection.
That personal angle ran as a common thread throughout the afternoon. The speeches began with individual stories, yet touched on broader societal questions: journalism and the role of media, migration and humanity, safety, mental health, technology and education.
What stood out was not only what was said, but how people listened. In an open space, without a captive audience, students and passers-by chose to stop. Sometimes in silence, sometimes visibly moved. That is what makes Students’ Speakers’ Corner what it is: a place where students make themselves heard, right at the heart of campus.
Highlights from the speeches
“Empathy Is still within us” – Nouhaila Kheninech (VUB)
Nouhaila warns of a growing lack of empathy in an overstimulated world. Her message is simple: empathy is still there, but we must choose to show it.
“Our similarities matter most” – Saskia Loomans (VUB)
Saskia challenges labelling and calls for nuance. Not differences, but shared ground should guide us in times of polarisation.
“We need less news. And more journalism” – Timo Van Geemen (EhB)
Using the image of a fire alarm that never stops ringing, Timo describes how the constant flow of news exhausts us. He calls for journalism that slows down and restores context.
“When did we stop seeing people as people?” – Morgane Louise (VUB)
Starting from her father’s story, Morgane brings migration back to a human level. Her speech confronts the gap between policy and lived experience.
“My body, my choice. Even when it is covered” – Eliz Cicek (VUB)
Eliz speaks about her decision to wear a headscarf and the reactions it triggered. She exposes how quickly freedom becomes conditional—and reclaims it as something that should never depend on others’ comfort.
“Let’s build a mindset of peace” – Melvin Lanssiers (EhB)
Melvin warns against a growing focus on militarisation and argues for an alternative grounded in peace as a societal principle.
On the place of philosophy in education – Jan Omar Maegherman (VUB)
Jan critically examines how economic logic increasingly defines what is seen as valuable in education.
On street harassment as a daily reality – Lee Bostoen (EhB)
Through concrete examples, Lee shows how everyday and structural boundary-crossing behaviour really is.
“We claim the right to take root” – Lara Al Sawlha (EhB)
Lara questions the idea of “going back” and argues for the right to belong here. Through personal history and relatable examples, she shows how people are still seen as temporary.
These are just nine of the fourteen students who took the floor on 30 April. Watch all speeches on YouTube.
