An amphitheatre filled with courageous testimonies and outspoken views
On April 30th, 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: a place where young, critical 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 far 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
Below are 5 of the 14 students who shared their views on 30 April. You can watch these and all the other videos on YouTube.
“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.
“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 us with the gap between policy and real human lives.
“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.
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.
“We claim the right to take root” – Lara Al Sawlha (EhB)
Lara questions the constant suggestions of “going back to your country” and argues for the right to take root here. Through personal history and relatable examples, she shows how far too often people are seen as temporary.
If you’d like to watch the full speeches as they were delivered on 30 April, please watch the video below.
The legacy of Difference Day
Eight years ago, the Brussels University Association (UAB) took the initiative to launch the Students’ Speaking Corner. The VUB and EhB immediately jumped on board with enthusiasm. The first edition took place on 3 May 2018, outside on the street next to Bozar. At the time, the Students’ Speakers Corner was still part of Difference Day, a major event on freedom of speech and expression held at Bozar to mark World Press Freedom Day on 3 May. Former VUB rector Caroline Pauwels (1964–2022) was the driving force behind Difference Day, which has since, sadly – partly due to government cutbacks – ceased to exist.
On that day, the Difference Day Honorary Title for Freedom of Expression was also awarded, honouring organisations and individuals from all over the world who are tirelessly committed to press freedom and freedom of expression. Among the laureates are organisations, writers, journalists and activists from every corner of the globe. Many of them paid a high price for their commitment: some lost their freedom, others even their lives in the struggle for press freedom and freedom of expression.
