Join us in celebrating the 5th anniversary of the Antwerp Pride DEI Network. We’re returning to where it all began in 2022: DPG Media Antwerp. The AP D&I Network proudly invites you to an interactive panel discussion on Thursday, August 6, 2026.
In the wake of last year’s radical geopolitical changes, we have been witnessing an increase in polarization in public debate, on social media, and even within the queer community when it comes to minorities, DEI, human rights, and so on.
The New York Times published an article listing words that government agencies and NGOs should avoid in all their communications, such as “underrepresentation,” DEI, race, climate, and “female.” U.S. embassies around the world have been actively reaching out to companies to “advise” them to drop DEI policies to avoid jeopardizing their opportunities to do business with U.S. organizations and enterprises. Consequently, business communication has become a real challenge for many European companies and organizations.
In line with this year’s Antwerp Pride theme: let’s talk, discuss, and learn about fearless communication and inclusive workplaces.
PROGRAM
9:30 a.m. - Kick-off with coffee
9:55 a.m. - Welcome by Bart Abeel (AP D&I Network)
10:00 a.m. - Keynote speech by Gabriël Goffoy & Peter De Caluwe (Forbidden Colours)
10:45 a.m. - 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, and co-founder of 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, August 6, 2026, 9:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Where?
DPG Media Antwerp, Mediaplein 1, 2018 Antwerp