Join us in celebrating the 5th anniversary of the Antwerp Pride DEI Network. We are going back to where it all started in 2022: DPG Media Antwerpen. AP D&I Network proudly invites you to an interactive panel discussion on Thursday 6 August 2026.
In the slipstream of last year’s radical geo-political changes, we have been witnessing an increase of polarization in the public debate, social media and even within the Queer community when it comes to minorities, DEI, human rights etc.
The New York Times published an article outlining words that government agencies and NGO’S should avoid in all their communication, such as “underrepresentation”, DEI, race, climate, female. USA embassies worldwide have been actively approaching companies to “advise” them to drop DEI policies to avoid jeopardizing their opportunities to do business with USA organisations/enterprises. Consequently, business communication became a real challenge for many European companies/organisations.
In line with Antwerp Pride’s theme this year: let’s talk, discuss and learn about Fearless communication and inclusive Workplaces.
PROGRAMME
09:30 - Kick-off with coffee
09:55 - Welcome by Bart Abeel (AP D&I Network)
10:00 - Keynote speech by Gabriël Goffoy & Peter De Caluwe (Forbidden Colours)
10:45 - Coffee break
11:00 - Interactive panel
12:20 - Resumption of panel discussion followed by a Q&A session
12:30 - Walking lunch
14:00 - End
PANEL MEMBERS
Gabriël Goffoy - General Manager MINI BELUX & co-founder Forbidden Colours
Aline Driesen - Country Marketing Manager IKEA
Els Lagrou - Director of Marketing and Communications Albert Heijn Belgium
Alex Huang - Research Lead POC Community, Workplace Pride Foundation
MODERATOR
Freek Braeckman - News anchor VTM NIEUWS
LOCATION
DPG Media Antwerp, Mediaplein 1, 2018 Antwerp
When?
Thursday 6 August 2026, 09:30 – 14:00
Where?
DPG Media Antwerp, Mediaplein 1, 2018 Antwerpen