VONA Talks

In this episode, Sofiia talks to Tena Lavrenčić, an Ethical Fashion Advocate and a senior Social Media Expert with the European Commission. Some people might know her by Thinking Threads, as that is the name she uses online. Tena spends most of her time thinking about sustainable as well as ethical fashion and that is what this episode is about. Tena is also one of the Directors with the Fashion Revolution Belgium, Belgian branch of the biggest global activism movement in fashion. Tena was born in a Bosnian household, in Croatia, in the middle of the war, and those experiences have forever affected her sense of justice. While Tena was always passionate about human rights movement, fashion was not part of her advocacy work until she met a survivor of child labour and modern slavery. Tena shares many facts and stories of the fashion industry  - from the Rana Plaza collapse to why every April now you can observe many fashion activists events happening around the world. Is fashion an environmental, gendered and a security issue? - to answer this question, listen to the episode. If you want to connect to Tena, check out her Instagram and LinkedIn account. Relevant links and recommendations:Why is there no winner in a "vegan" vs. real leather race? - Tena’s article for VogueFashion activist Tena Lavrencic: 'If I bought fast fashion, my style would be boring'Learn more about Tena and Thinking ThreadsLearn more about Fashion Revolution Belgium For more on VONA:Sign up for our monthly Newsletter at www.VONA.internationalInstagram @vona.internationalTwitter @VONA_intLinkedIn VONA InternationalPodcast hosted by Sofiia ShevchukVisuals and podcast production by Tamas Viski

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 2023Learn more about The NineLear more about Fempower InitiativeFor more on VONA:Sign up for our monthly Newsletter at www.VONA.internationalInstagram @vona.internationalTwitter @VONA_intLinkedIn VONA InternationalPodcast hosted by Sofiia ShevchukVisuals and podcast production by Tamas Viski

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 NewsletterIdealist Quarterly eventsFor more on VONA:Sign up for our monthly Newsletter at www.VONA.internationalInstagram @vona.internationalTwitter @VONA_intLinkedIn VONA InternationalPodcast hosted by Sofiia ShevchukVisuals and podcast production by Tamas Viski

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.internationalInstagram @vona.internationalTwitter @VONA_intLinkedIn VONA InternationalPodcast hosted by Sofiia ShevchukVisuals and podcast production by Tamas Viski

In this episode, Sofiia talks to Elise Buckle, Co-Founder and Co-Director of SHE Changes Climate, CEO of Climate & Sustainability; Leadership Mentor and a Co-Chair of the Climate Impact Group. Growing up in a French countryside, in nature, Elise started her career in the humanitarian sector in Tajikistan, Chile, and several other organisations active in disaster reduction, where she became aware of the connection between climate change and poverty reduction. Then with COP11 Elise started working on climate change, as an advisor for members of the European Parliament. It is precisely then, when climate change has been a red thread throughout Elise’s professional career and personal commitment to the cause throughout working with diverse organisations. Early on Elise also realised how important women’s role is in climate negotiations - in order to bring different perspectives, to bring empathy, and include every voice. Today Elise leads SHE Changes Climate, an organisation that advocates for more women in climate negotiations at all levels. Elise shares more about her COP experience across years, about starting with SHE Changes Climate, the idea of a mentoring programme for younger generations and more - listen to episode to here more and get inspired.If you want to connect to Elise, check out her LinkedIn account; as well as the Linkedin account for SHE Changes Climate. Relevant links and recommendations:UNITE FOR CLIMATE SOLUTIONS SUMMIT by SHE Changes ClimateClimate Justice - book by Mary RobinsonBe One Mentoring - mentoring programme by SHE Changes ClimateFor more on VONA:Sign up for our monthly Newsletter at www.VONA.internationalInstagram @vona.internationalTwitter @VONA_intLinkedIn VONA InternationalPodcast hosted by Sofiia ShevchukVisuals and podcast production by Tamas Viski

In this episode, Sofiia talks to Maureen Walschot, a climate security expert and consultant. Through her dedicated work, Maureen delves into unravelling the intricate connections between climate change, peace, and security. Her focus spans across various domains such as water diplomacy and cooperation, as well as the intersection of gender, climate, and security. Despite the persistent presence of environmental and feminist studies throughout Maureen's life, they existed in parallel. It wasn't until her university studies and subsequent PhD journey that she started exploring the convergence of gender, environment — specifically transboundary water management — and security. Maureen shares her rich experience, recounting her involvement in empowering local stakeholders in conflict resolution during armed conflicts in Central America. Additionally, she discusses her efforts in safeguarding marginalised communities residing in areas controlled by armed groups and de facto authorities (AGDA) in Afghanistan — regions marked by environmental vulnerability and conflict.Maureen is also officially part of the VONA team, so towards the end of the episode we also shared some news, updates and VONA plans for 2024. If you want to connect to Maureen, check out her LinkedIn account. Relevant links and recommendations:Saline water, peace, and security. Analyzing the impact of desalination on transboundary groundwater interactions in the Middle East, by Maureen Walschot published in L. P. Batista da Silva et al., New Perspectives on Transboundary Water Governance Interdisciplinary Approaches and Global Case Studies, Routledge, 2023. For more on VONA:Sign up for our monthly Newsletter at www.VONA.internationalInstagram @vona.internationalTwitter @VONA_intLinkedIn VONA InternationalPodcast hosted by Sofiia ShevchukVisuals and podcast production by Tamas Viski

In this episode, Sofiia talks to Gabriel Nuckhir, a Gender and Peacebuilding Adviser at Conciliation Resources. In 2023, Gabriel, as part of the Conciliation Resources project, collaborated with partners from Pakistan, Uganda and the Philippines to unearth much needed insights into how gender dynamics, climate change and conflict are interacting in contexts experiencing worsening climate change and conflict impacts. Gabriel shares about his professional journey through peacebuilding so far, and how this led him to the recognition that it is critical to take a joined-up approach to the meta-challenges concerning gender equality, climate change and violent conflict.This episode surfaces and explores the concepts masculinities, social norms and expectations, cultural identity and links these with climate change and ultimately conflict - listen to learn more.If you want to connect to Gabriel, check out his LinkedIn account, as well as the accounts of the Conciliation Resources - LinkedIn, Twitter. Relevant links and recommendations:Gender, cultural identity, conflict and climate change - report by Conciliation Resources.Beyond Feminist Foreign Policy Series: Climate Change - by Conciliation Resources.For more on VONA:Sign up for our monthly Newsletter at www.VONA.internationalInstagram @vona.internationalTwitter @VONA_intLinkedIn VONA InternationalPodcast hosted by Sofiia ShevchukVisuals and podcast production by Tamas Viski

In this special episode, Sofiia talks to Teresa Eder & Mareike Moraal, who both work at the Heinrich Boell Stiftung, Washington DC office. This episode features two women working for the same organisation to show complexities of navigating intersections between climate, gender and security as well as foreign policy at the organisational level. Following this, Teresa is a Program Director, Foreign & Security Policy and Mareike is Program Director, Energy & Environment. Mareike and Teresa share their personal stories and experiences being both Europeans, living and working in the US, navigating transatlantic relations and landing on their value-based job option. The conversation also revolves around upcoming challenges in 2024 related to Ukraine and other conflicts, the election year where more than 50% of the global population will go for elections in 2024 and many other topics that are important to climate, gender and security nexus in transatlantic relations. As a bonus, both speakers share how they mainstream gender and feminism across their programming and projects, making it a more inclusive place to work and get involved with. If you want to connect to Mareike, check out her LinkedIn and Twitter accounts, as well as Teresa - her LinkedIn and Twitter. Relevant links and recommendations from Teresa and Mareike:COP28 Dossier by Heinrich Boell Stiftung"Hear Her Roar" - Talking Feminist Foreign Policy - a podcast with FFP HBS fellows Climate Finance Fundamentals 10: Gender and Climate Finance by Heinrich Boell StiftungFor more on VONA:Sign up for our monthly Newsletter at www.VONA.internationalInstagram @vona.internationalTwitter @VONA_intLinkedIn VONA InternationalPodcast hosted by Sofiia ShevchukVisuals and podcast production by Tamas Viski