Gender is no longer a self-evident concept. It has become a battleground — and the international cooperation sector finds itself right in the middle of it, whether it wants to or not.
Organised anti-gender movements are gaining ground in UN negotiations, national parliaments and development programmes worldwide. They are well funded, strategically present, and highly skilled at appropriating progressive language. The result: the very word gender is more contested than ever.
In this session, çavaria unpacks how these movements operate and what is at stake. At the same time, we explore how to build a strong counter-narrative, rooted in decolonial knowledge, to turn the tide.
When 10u45
Where: Studio 1
Language: Dutch
Johannes works international officer at çavaria, a human rights organisation that strives to build a world in which every LGBTQI+ person can feel safe and accepted. For more than 20 years, çavaria has also been committed to strengthening the global LGBTQI+ movement by collaborating with LGBTQI+ organisations worldwide and advocating for a SOGIESC-inclusive foreign policy.
Is it something to cry about or to laugh about?
Lectrr and Elisabeth Lucie Baeten explore how humor and satire can expose injustice without trivialising it. When does humor cut through the noise? Where is the cut the crap moment? A sharp, relatable and often hilarious look at the power of humor in times of polarisation and crisis.
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KEYNOTE: Jasmine Malekzadem
Jasmine Malekzadem is a sharp and inspiring voice in the debate on justice, diversity and democracy. For years, she has followed the protest movements in Iran and broader questions of resistance and solidarity in authoritarian contexts.
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Els Hertogen on the future of international solidarity
International solidarity in a world under high tension? This closing session brings together the core questions of Forward Fest 2026.
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Forward Fest 2024 invites you to join the conversation, share your perspective, and collaborate with others to build a future that is fair, inclusive, and interconnected. Explore, learn, and contribute to the change our world needs.
LEARN, SHARE, INSPIRE
Prepare for a day filled with inspiring lectures, surprising workshops, and professional connections that will not only stimulate your thinking but also touch your heart. This is your chance to learn from leading thinkers, network with like-minded individuals, and actively contribute to a more just world.
You will soon be able to register for Forward Fest 2026 here.
Forward Fest is organized by 11.11.11, ngo-federation and VLIRUOS in collaboration with MO* with the support of Belgian development cooperation.
11.11.11
THE COALITION FOR INTERNATIONAL SOLIDARITY.
11.11.11 aims to eradicate exploitation from the world. Everyone – anywhere in the world – has the right to a dignified existence. To truly make a change, power and resources must be distributed more fairly, and the current system must be questioned.
More info on 11.be
NGO-FEDERATIE
FLEMISH FEDERATION OF NGOS FOR DEVELOPMENT COOPERATION.
The ngo-federation represents its members to the federal and other governments, supports the members in their discussions with those governments, promotes cooperation within the sector, and strengthens the quality of NGOs’ operations.
More info on ngo-federatie.be
VLIRUOS
INNOVATIVE RESPONSES TO GLOBAL AND LOCAL CHALLENGES
VLIRUOS supports partnerships and scholarships between universities and colleges in both Flanders and the Global South, seeking innovative solutions for global as well as local challenges.
More info on vliruos.be
