Schaerbeek Department

Schaerbeek is a beautiful municipality. The melting pot of cultures, the neighbourhood parties at the De Kriekelaar Community Centre, the green lung that is Josaphat Park, the cosy neighbourhood shops and cafés, and so much more make our municipality a lovely place to live.

Yet, there remain many, and particularly urgent, challenges: the wide gap between the more affluent and deprived areas of Schaarbeek, the appalling poverty and drug problems around Gare du Nord, the lack of space for our children and young people… The municipal executive, with Défi, Groen and Ecolo, seems to completely ignore these issues, becoming lost in internal conflicts and political games.

Enough messing about, Vooruit again. In Schaarbeek too!

 

Hannelore Goeman

Hannelore lives with her young son and boyfriend in Van Hamméestraat. She is the chairwoman of the department and strongly believes in the power of education. “If you want to get ahead in life, you have to work hard and do your best at school. I learned that from my parents. They always supported me in continuing to learn, from my history studies to my doctorate on integration policy at the VUB. I am incredibly grateful to them for that. Now I want to fight to give other children the opportunities I always had.”

Matthias Van Wijnendaele

Matthias is an advisor in Pascal Smet's cabinet, and it taught him a lot about how politics works in Brussels. Today, he is a team leader at Beliris, working on the most challenging projects. But first and foremost, he is a father of three children. He also acts in the improvisation company Borrris.

Serpil Aygün

From 2004 to 2022, I was the coordinator of Binfikir, an association for diversity in media, culture, and the arts. In addition to being the editor-in-chief of Binfikir, I coordinated theatre activities for children, women, and adults. Since 2022, I have been working as a recruitment and orientation officer at the Agency for Integration and Naturalisation in Brussels. My fight? Defending the same ideas and values together, regardless of our backgrounds. I support the programme for a clean and safe Schaerbeek where participation is central.

Abderrahman Dmam

I am a Trajectbegeleider (Pathway Guide) & coach at the Brussels Onthaalbureau voor Inburgering (BON - Brussels Reception Office for Integration) and chairman of Euro-Gzennaya Brussels. Every day, I do my best to improve the well-being of citizens. For me, well-being begins with safety and cleanliness. I want to move ‘Forward’ and work together for a sustainable and just society in Schaarbeek: a safe and healthy living environment, more places in nurseries, more school places, equal opportunities for our children and the elderly. My fight? To value Schaarbeek and build a municipality with commitment!

Hatice Kas

I am Hatice, a left-wing secular woman who champions the rights of invisible minorities. I advocate for coexistence. My fight? The equality of all citizens.

Nicolas De Moor

As an architect and music lover, I aspire to a Schaerbeek that dances to the melodies of Josaphat Park and the rhythms of the Brabant district.

My struggle? I strive for more cohesion through creative and urban solutions. The issues I hold particularly dear are affordable housing, high-quality public spaces, serene mobility, and a diverse neighbourhood life. Having recently become a father, I want to contribute to the development of a resilient and sustainable Schaarbeek.

7. Mieke Vandewynckele

I am 46 years old and have lived with Steven and our daughter Lucy in Schaarbeek since 2000. I work as a federal civil servant. I am passionate about cooking and I also enjoy fitness, dancing, Spanish lessons, and the diverse cultural activities our city has to offer.

My fight? I stand for a Brussels-Capital Region on a human scale, a pleasant place to live, with room for the community, and where creative, sporting and social initiatives are actively encouraged and supported.

8. Dirk Van den Broeck

I qualified as a social worker and have been driving buses for 22 years. In my spare time, I volunteer at a food bank in Schaarbeek and an NGO that provides medical care to people who fall through the social safety net. I love cooking and am a huge fan of fresh mint tea.

My struggle? My heart and attention go to vulnerable people in society.

9. Lindsay Edwards

Born in Great Britain, love brought me to Belgium 48 years ago. I love the diversity in Schaarbeek and admire our Belgian ability to compromise.

My struggle? Equal opportunities for all, decent housing on safe and clean streets, and, above all, more respect in society: for each other, for the people who provide us with public and other services, our living environment, our streets, safety, traffic regulations, and the environment.

10. Pieter Maes

I am an architect, married to a dedicated and passionate woman, and have two young daughters. I live on Brichaut Street, near Liedts Square. I play the clarinet in the festive Brussels brass band, Café Marché.

My fight? The place for quality cohabitation is the public space, designed to suit children, green, safe, and above all, to be experienced at walking pace. That's what I want to fight for with all my heart.

11. Susanne Drake

I work on international projects. I strongly believe in intercultural communication. I love the diversity and cultural richness of Schaarbeek, where I've lived for the past 30 years. My children grew up here and were exposed to the many different backgrounds of their friends. They all played together in Josaphat Park. I now walk my dog there and enjoy meeting other dog owners from all over the world.

My struggle? I want everyone to feel at home.

12. Anton Obbels

I'm a union representative and live in the Colignon neighbourhood. I enjoy living in Schaarbeek, but there's room for improvement. As the second-largest municipality in Brussels and the sixth in Belgium, we residents of Schaarbeek deserve better. Our streets are often dirty, the public transport connection to the centre of Brussels is poor, and it's not exactly cycling-friendly here.

My fight? I want to commit myself to a vibrant Schaarbeek, where everyone feels safe and can be proud of our municipality.

Joko Van Heertum

I took my first walk in Schaarbeek when I was making the campaign video for the municipal elections in 2018. Today, I work in the communications department of Minister of Health Frank Vandenbroucke. I've lived in Schaarbeek since 2022 and enjoy walking to bar Copain with my family for a glass of wine.

My struggle? As the mum of an almost one-year-old, I'm fighting for a child-friendly Schaerbeek. With great playgrounds, safe neighbourhoods, and clean streets.

14. Yannis Polspoel

My name is Yannis Polspoel and I am proud to call Schaarbeek my home since birth. As a final-year medical student at the VUB, I have always been passionate about the wellbeing of our community. That is why I am standing for our municipal elections.

My struggle? Our streets and public squares must become more beautiful, greener, cleaner, and safer. Our young people should be able to be young without a worry. Let's work together for a better Schaarbeek. 

15. Aurore Uwase

I am Aurore, and I have been living in Schaerbeek for 4 years. Since arriving in the municipality, the diversity and richness of the Schaerbeek community have really struck me, but I am also aware of the social and environmental challenges it faces. My ambition is to contribute to a more inclusive and sustainable Schaerbeek, where every resident can fully develop.

My struggle? I am fighting for a more just, sustainable, and equitable society.

16. Walter Vermander

In the late 70s, as a VUB student, I joined the student protests against the increase in registration fees. Afterwards, I stayed in Schaarbeek where I became active in De Kriekelaar, at Curieus Schaarbeek and the 11.11.11 committee. I organise performances at places including Brasserie de la Mule and Schaarbeek Station. I founded the neighbourhood committee ‘Jacques Rayé’ so that we would have a say in the redesign of ‘Square Maurane’.

My struggle? Schaarbeek must not become a two-speed municipality, where the donkey only drops his gold coins on the biggest pile!

17. Ioana Mardare

I'm Ioana and I moved to Brussels from Bacau at the age of 18 to explore the opportunities that the capital of Europe could offer. I ended up in Schaerbeek and now I absolutely love our municipality. I'm constantly trying to convince people to come and live here 🙂 But I think Schaerbeek deserves so much better: if streets can be safe and clean in other big cities, why not here?


My fight? Safer neighbourhoods where you can always be yourself, at any time of day or night.

18. Joachim Spyns

Since 2018, I have lived near Lehon Square with my kids and partner. I am passionate about history and the many stories that can be found there. Schaerbeek is a place with many of those stories, with beautiful places and people, that is what and who I want to fight for.

My struggle? More liveability, which starts with clean streets and accessible housing. Especially around the Brabant and North Quarter, more attention urgently needs to be paid to the people who live, work and use it as commuters, schoolchildren or shoppers.

Schurmans, Photis

I am currently writing a PhD with Francis Heylighen and Jean Paul Van Bendegem. Before that, I was a project coordinator at the Mission Locale of Saint-Josse-ten-Noode, deputy director at the Mission Locale of Molenbeek, and I was active in various management roles.

From experience and my study of philosophy, I am convinced that everything and everyone is connected, which is why solidarity is extremely important.

My fight? Solidarity!

20. Ab Polspoel

When I was 10, I moved from Leuven to Schaarbeek. There, along with Garance, we saw Yannis and Eline grow up. In many ways, it improved, though not perfectly. It's time for a majority that will make Schaarbeek clean and safe again. I strongly believe in this team, which has the courage to ask for the voters' trust through its own efforts.

My struggle? The decline in cleanliness and street racers in recent years are the reasons for my candidacy on the list.

21. Myrna Baks

After my studies in elite sports and architecture in Amsterdam, I worked in South-East Asia. But Brussels remains the most exotic city for me. Once in Schaarbeek, I founded a consultancy that developed a vision for the redevelopment of the Louis Bertrandlaan, the future Stephensonpark, and the ‘Jeugdpark’ in Josaphat, among other things.

My struggle? A sustainable, attractive, and accessible public space in Brussels where both children and the elderly feel safe.

22. Jonas Himpens

I've been living in Schaerbeek for almost three years, first in Dailly, and now in Robiano. I'm a communications officer for minister Frank Vandenbroucke, and at the same time, a student in healthcare management and policy. In my free time, I enjoy running in Josaphat Park or on the Terdelt track.

My fight? A healthy living environment and accessible healthcare.

23. Bernadette Vriamont

I've lived in Schaerbeek for 35 years now, first around Place des Bienfaiteurs and now in the Pavilions district. All that time, I've been socially and politically involved as a volunteer. During the 10 years I was chairman of Community Centre De Kriekelaar, the centre was thoroughly rebuilt and renovated. For 2 years I was a member of the Public Centre for Social Welfare council and for 10 years I had the privilege of being a municipal councillor. I was appreciated there for my thoughtful and constructive contributions on the topics of mobility, spatial planning, education, and Dutch-language culture and sports. I'm still active in organisations focused on poverty and heritage. In my work, I focus on the integration and participation of newcomers and the promotion of the Dutch language.

My fight? A local council that looks after all neighbourhoods and makes housing and poverty reduction central to its policy.

24. Güven Dogan

I've lived in Schaarbeek for over 10 years, and there's nothing I enjoy more than organising social activities with my neighbours and friends. My children walk to school in our neighbourhood, but the unsafe traffic situation makes that not always easy. That needs to change.

My struggle? Accessible administration, more attention to cleanliness,
safe neighbourhoods and mobility for everyone.