Benjamin is a 17-year-old climate and children’s rights activist. He has been striking for climate action since the age of twelve. After Rosa died in the 2021 floods, he launched the “Climate Justice for Rosa” campaign, aiming to show that the climate crisis is not about numbers and statistics, but about human lives. He successfully lobbied to declare July 15th as a European Memorial Day for the victims of the global climate crisis.
In addition to running his nonprofit, Benjamin serves as a climate advisor for the Child Rights International Network and is an EU Climate Pact Ambassador. He is a sought-after speaker who has delivered his message on major stages, from the United Nations in Geneva to COP27 in Egypt and COP28 in Dubai. Benjamin is also involved in climate litigation, notably with the *TotalCriminal* case—a lawsuit filed in the French criminal court by eight climate victims against the leaders of TotalEnergies.
Together with Nic Balthazar, Benjamin will close Forward Fest 24 and present *For Rosa*, a play that tells the true story of Rosa, the 15-year-old girl who lost her life in the 2021 flood disaster in the Ardennes, during a youth camp for young people who wanted to change the world.
Closing session 'For Rosa', together with Nic Balthazar
Keynote by Wafa Mustafa
In her keynote, Mustafa will present a powerful vision on the interconnectedness of global crises and challenge us to rethink how we can place human rights back at the center of our approach to these urgent challenges.
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Minerals for the Energy Transition: Win-Win or Extractivism 2.0?
This discussion explores the important and timely issue of how Europe's shift to green energy affects the global demand for critical minerals and the social and environmental impacts on the countries that supply them.
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Forward Fest Café
Book your 1-on-1 conversation with prominent figures from the sector.
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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.
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Forward Fest is organized by 11.11.11, ngo-federation and VLIR-UOS 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
VLIR-UOS
INNOVATIVE RESPONSES TO GLOBAL AND LOCAL CHALLENGES
VLIR-UOS 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
Met de financiële steun van
