Countdown 2023

Adélaïde Charlier is a 22-year-old activist committed to climate and social justice. After co-founding Youth For Climate Belgium, she has contributed to various mobilizations in recent years, advised the Vice-President of the European Commission, and crossed the Atlantic by sailboat to continue her activism. Today, activism occupies a central place in her life. At the same time, she studies political and social sciences at the College of Europe.

As Strategic Director of Brand Culture at Hoet&Hoet, Alain Mayné is known as the marketing philosopher. Passionate about societal changes, he works to bring beneficial change to citizens and have a positive impact. He promotes the transformative power of responsible marketing. A board member of the Belgian Association of Management and Marketing (BMMA) and the Belgian Association of Marketing (BAM), he is a member of two Think Tanks (Sustainability and Health & Well-being) and initiator of the Meaningful Marketing Framework.

COLT is the new Belgian musical sensation. Formerly known as Coline & Toitoine, their story is rooted in friendship. A harmonious fusion where Coline's voice and raw emotion blend with Toitoine's unique, almost lunar, universe. At just 23 years old, and after the success of their single "Insomnies", which has already reached millions of listens, COLT unveiled "Mille Vies", a second EP in September 2023. This first EP written in French marks a turning point for this phenomenal duo.

Ihsane Haouach is a social entrepreneur and author dedicated to promoting an equitable and sustainable transition. Convinced that the future of our society lies in integrating energy with social challenges, she is committed to both fields. She focuses on the education of women and young people, and co-initiated the "L'Épicerie" center in Molenbeek. She also sits on the board of directors of the energy regulation agency in Brussels. In her book "Open Up Your Organization", she describes a model of inclusive leadership.

Dr. Rawaa Ammar is the Director of Sustainability and Impact at Resortecs. As an expert in climate risk mitigation, decarbonization, and life cycle assessment with 15 years of experience, she leads the sustainability strategy. She connects different actors to accelerate the circular transition in the fashion sector. Passionate about nature, science, and social equity, she holds a PhD in Earth and Environmental Sciences from ULB in Brussels and was a visiting professor at the Lebanese University of Beirut.

Serge de Gheldere doesn't just talk about a greener future, he builds it. As CEO of Futureproofed, he provides cities and businesses with tools to reduce their carbon footprint. But he doesn't stop at the boardrooms. As president of Klimaatzaak, he led a legal crusade against the Belgian government, even filing a lawsuit for concrete CO₂ reduction targets. Trained by Al Gore in 2006, Serge sees the carbon gap not as a challenge, but as a potential source of profit and societal gain.