Local Politics

Common Ground Book Club
An in-person reading group exploring critical theory, from the Frankfurt School to contemporary thinkers. We’ll read books and essays, and our discussions will focus on society, power, and modern phenomena: from politics to media and social trends. 
Fourth Meeting
We will discuss the first part of Marcuse’s “One-Dimensional Man”, Introduction and Chapters 1-4 (till p. 123): https://files.libcom.org/files/Marcuse,%20H%20-%20One-Dimensional%20Man,%202nd%20edn.%20(Routledge,%202002).pdf The next meeting(s) will be devoted to Parts II and III :) 
Who is it for?
No prior philosophy or theory background is required, just curiosity and a willingness to engage. I (the organiser) am not an expert; I just seek other kind souls who want to exchange thoughts ✨ 
Format
• Readings may be short essays, selected chapters, or full books.
• Each meeting begins with a short recap/introduction of the text.
• Open, informal discussion.
• Everyone is encouraged to bring a passage or question they found interesting, confusing, or provocative.
• Language of discussion: English.
If you have any questions or suggestions, please reach out on Meet-up or Instagram: @commongroundbe

Join us for a cosy January afternoon of Amarte's Paint & coffee with fellow art enthusiasts. Whether you're a seasoned painter or just starting out, this event is perfect for anyone looking to unleash their creativity in a beautiful outdoor setting. When everyone has arrived we grab ourselves a good coffee made by the kindest sould of Koul where there will be a little set-up waiting for you to create your own masterpiece. Whats better than you sipping on your favorite beverage and enjoying the fresh air with new people with the same interests! So don't hesitate and come join us for a fun and inspiring morning of painting. You go home with new memories, new friends and a beautiful artpiece to shine in your interior! To make this event possible, I ask a small contribution that covers the canvases, paints, and some basic guidance and help during the session. It’s also a way to secure your spot and ensure we can welcome as many people as possible to enjoy this experience. **Price:** €15 + Meetup cost Want to skip the Meetup cost? Send me a private message and we make it happen!

Welcome to our weekly event in the upstairs room of The Sister Café, rue Chair et Pain 3, one block from the Grand Place. Please get there early enough to order your drink at the bar first. Thank you! After introductions we will collect questions from the group participants, choose one by voting then discuss it for an hour. Then most of us stay for drinks and bizarre conversations. Past questions have been wide and not confined to academic philosophy: What is a genuine friend? Is social media turning us into emotional zombies? Do we lose some of the experience of things by defining them? Are we driven by sex? Is loneliness a personal failure? Is morality relative? **Crucially, be kind and respectful and generous** in your disagreements; remember how much you personally enjoy someone else proving you wrong before celebrating your cutting counterexamples.

Hello, readers ! In January we are reading The Vulnerables by Sigrid Nunez. ***Please note our new venue - Maison de Quartier Malibran, Rue de la Digue 10, 1050 Ixelles - and our new start time of 11am.*** More details on this change of venue will be sent soon in a separate message. **Please keep your RSVP up to date** and happy reading!

⚠️ **IMPORTANT: You must sign up and buy a ticket here to attend:** [https://groupvibe.com/](https://groupvibe.com/) **This is a curated, small-group meetup make new friends in Brussels.** Each meetup brings together 4–6 like-minded people for casual conversations over brunch. We use the Groupvibe platform to organize and ensure everyone’s a good fit. 👉 **To attend, you’ll need to complete registration via this link:** [https://groupvibe.com](https://groupvibe.com) Once you register, and **buy a ticket or become a Groupvibe member**, we’ll share the exact location and match you with your group. **Why this works:** \* Smaller groups make real conversations easier \* Matching helps avoid awkward dynamics **Note:** RSVPs here on Meetup don’t reflect total attendance. Many attendees register directly via our website. This meetup is organized by **Groupvibe**, a small team passionate about helping people form meaningful friendships offline.

The Lions of Teranga have made it to the CAN 2025 Final! Whether you are a die-hard Senegal supporter, rooting for Morocco, or just love African football, there is no better place to watch the "Clash of the Lions" than in Matonge, Brussels' vibrant African quarter. Join us for an evening of Teranga (hospitality), Tchep (food), and total football fever. We will meet up before the match to grab dinner and drinks, soak up the electric atmosphere of the neighborhood, and watch the final together. 📋 The Agenda * 18:00: Meet & Greet at the venue. Introduction to the group. * 18:30: Order food! (Best time to get your Thieboudienne or Yassa before the rush). * 20:00: ⚽ KICK-OFF: Senegal vs. Morocco. * 22:00: Post-match celebrations (or consolations) in the streets of Matonge. 📍 The Venue: TBA 💰 Cost Pay for your own food and drinks. Please bring cash as card machines in Matonge can sometimes be overwhelmed on busy nights. RSVP: WhatsApp @ +32 483 464 569 Please make your RSVP so we can save the right number of seats! Allez les Lions!

Join us on our weekly Sunday run to get your day started on the right foot. Whether you're a first-timer with the Brussels Runners Meetup or a familiar face, we can't wait to see you there! [Find us on Strava](https://www.strava.com/clubs/1211350/group_events/3431565227328502990) *What to Expect:* Distance : \14-15 km. Pace : \~6 min/km. Mixed Terrain : A combination of dirt paths, forest trails, and possibly some road sections. Scenic Views : Enjoy the beauty of nature as we traverse diverse landscapes. Good Company : Run with like-minded individuals and make new friends. Post-Run Coffee : Optional post-run gathering for refreshments and camaraderie. Bag Drop : Available. **Acknowledgement of member responsibility and release of liability.** By signing up for this event, you agree to release the organizers from any responsibility and liability in all claims. As the participation is strictly voluntary and you freely choose to join, it is the responsibility of individuals participating to ensure that they are fit enough and have adequate coverage to protect themselves. Questions and comments are welcome.

What's up Friends! 👋 Let's meet at Le Pantin for another round of games and laughs. Games: 🎲 The pub has a fair collection of games. Feel free however to bring any of your own favorites. Food & Drinks: Le Pantin serves only drinks🍸🍺🍹, however you’re also welcome to bring your own snacks 🍟🍩🍿 to enjoy during the games. Ordering: 🤑 At least one drink is mandatory - this is how we support cool places like this! Timing: ⏱️ We kick off at 14:00, and you’re welcome to stay for as many games as you like. Joining later? Just let me know in advance in the chat so we don’t slow down the start 😊 🚦If you find yourself on the waiting list but you absolutely want to join or if you have any other question - feel free to contact me directly via the chat. 📢 Further details may be shared via the group chat or via DM 💬. Make sure to check your messages 👀 at least on the day before the event to avoid missing any mega important 🙄 announcements. 🐈‍⬛ The Friends Code: 👉 Which games are played will be agreed by the group 👉Depending on preferences and group size we usually split into several tables 👉 Got a favorite game? Bring it along or drop a suggestion in your reply 👉 Can't make it? Cancel on time so someone on the waitlist can grab your spot 👉 Don't show up (or show up at your own risk:) if you are on the waiting list. There may be no space for extra players and you risk to get disappointed. See you folks 😉

🇷🇴 Romanian Professionals Meet & Greet – Brussels 🇧🇪 **Please note the venue has changed and it is now at To Meli, 2 min walk from the previous location ( please see details below).** Are you a Romanian professional working in Brussels? Would you like to meet like-minded people, exchange experiences, or simply enjoy a good conversation over coffee? Then this event is for you! Join us for the Romanian Professionals Meet & Greet, an informal networking event bringing together Romanian professionals from all sectors and backgrounds. Whether you work in EU affairs, finance, consulting, NGOs, tech, or any other field, this is a great opportunity to connect, share ideas, and grow your professional and social network. 📅 Date: 18 January 📍 Venue: To Meli Delicatessen, Rue Breydel 50, 1040 Bruxelles ☕ Format: relaxed meet-up with good coffee and engaging conversations Whether you’re new to Brussels or have been here for years, you are very welcome. Come as you are, meet new people, and be part of a growing Romanian professional community Looking forward to meeting you! 🇷🇴✨ Please have my numbers in case you have any issues: +32 485 61 11 59 / +40 775 579 469.

This Sunday let's go back to the Flemish Ardennes, with a hike that is a direct continuation of one we did in November (from Ede to Ninove). We start at the train station of Ninove and cross some small wetlands (probably rather muddy after the last weeks' snow and rain) before we reach the Dender, which we follow for some kilometers. After turning away from the river we walk through the Rappaillebos and enter Geraardsbergen via the Oudenberg and its famous chapel before descending into town for a final drink. As the number of participants is limited, it is important that you manage your registration responsibly: only sign up if you really intend to come and cancel as soon as you know you can’t (this also goes for people on the waiting list!). We will try to keep close to an average speed of about 4.5 km/h. We will walk mainly on unpaved roads. I’ve not tested this track beforehand, so it’s possible that there are some mistakes in the planning (i.e. it may become longer ;-). ●●You can find the gpx track here: **Wikilocs:** https://www.wikiloc.com/hiking-trails/von-ninove-nach-geraardsbergen-247100040 **Komoot**: https://www.komoot.com/de-de/tour/2678108792?share_token=aNZK7ki12VaQOwZvBkWxpd1wcmr8EK9LlHzfDCV13MtnJFYbTv&ref=wtd ●●Meeting point: We meet at 8h30 in the main hall of Gare Central, in front of Starbucks (sorry for the early start, I need to be back in town for a concert) and take the train at 8.45 (IC3631 to Gent). We change in Denderleeuw and arrive in Ninove at 9.32 ●● Train tickets: BXL-Ninove 5.00€ or 3.00€ with Train+, Geraardsbergen-BXL 6.40€ or 3.90€ with Train+ ●● Back to Brussels: From Geraardsbergen there are two trains back every hour, at XX.55 direct (52 min to Gare Central) and at XX.07 via Denderleeuw (1h 08 min to Gare Central). ●● Specifics: Distance: ca 24 km Elevation gain: 150 - 200m Net walking time: ca 5.5 h Weather forecast: fresh, fairly dry In the unlikely case of too bad weather, we may cancel a hike, even few hours before the event. If this must happen, we will of course update the Meetup website and send out an email to those registered. So it is important to have access to either the Meetup.com website and/or your emails. ●● What to bring: * Comfortable hiking clothes &shoes * rain gear (just in case) * water and drink for the breaks * Compeed for blisters * some small money for drinks ●● Basic rules: Please RSVP only if you really intend to come. And if your plans change, update your RSVP asap, even hours before the walk. This is basic courtesy towards others. Repeated late cancellations are not well considered (at all). No-shows are even worse. Do not show up for a hike unless you are on the “going” list. ●● Acknowledgement of member responsibility and release of liability: You are responsible for yourself and should be fit enough if you want to take part. As the participation in the events is strictly voluntary and you freely choose to join, it is the responsibility of individuals participating to ensure that they are fit enough and have adequate coverage to protect themselves. By signing up for this event, you agree to release the organisers from any responsibility and liability.

🌟 Hello Yogis and Future Yogis! 🌟 -> New Year = Time to get back on the mat ! :) 🧘‍♀️🧘‍♂️ Whether you're a seasoned Yogi or a complete beginner, come and join us every **SUNDAY MORNING - from 11:00 to 12:15 - for Queer Yoga in Brussels :)** No need to worry if you've never tried Yoga before – everyone is welcome! 🌈 Just bring yourself in some comfy clothes (mats are provided) and let the magic happen :-). 🌿 **Class Details:** * This is an "open event" - for everyone, LGBTQ people and their friends no matter their **gender, age, race, sexual orientation or level of fitness / practice**. * Classes take place [Merci Wellness - Place Dillens 1, 1060 Saint-Gilles](https://www.merci-wellness.be/plan-acces.php). Very easy to get there, either by bike or metro (Hotel des Monnaies). * Ring bell "MERCI WELLNESS" - third floor ! * ⏰ 11:00 to 12:15 (doors close at 10:55 as **class starts at 11:00 sharp** \- it is not possible to join late\)\. 💸 **Cost:** * First class: 10 euros 🌟 * Single class: 15 euros 🧘‍♂️ * 5-class pass: 65 euros (valid for 3 months - a great deal for regular yogis! 🎉) You can pay your class on site either in CASH or through PAYCONIC. **Come and this great group of Sunday Morning Yogis** \- to spend a moment in a nice atmosphere and discover the benefits of Yoga\, from increased flexibility\, better posture\, a stronger body to a calmer mind\. See you on the mat! 🧘‍♀️🧘‍♂️✨ Edson P.S. Also, make sure to check out our new class **"Yoga for Men"** \- every Wednesday at 18:30 in the same location \- you can find the class list on our Meetup main page \!

A relaxed pool night and language exchange for curious, open-minded people in Brussels. Pool, drinks, and real conversation without the fake networking vibe. This is **not** a tournament and not a “watch one guy run the table” event. We rotate games, mix people, and keep it social. Use our whatsapp Chat also to RSVP and updates! https://chat.whatsapp.com/CArK9cobiSmCKRSKCGhFCJ ### **What to expect** * Casual pool * Rotations so everyone plays * **Language exchange**: EN/FR/NL/ES/IT (and whatever else shows up) Switch languages anytime, no pressure ### **Food** The venue is right next to **Dea’s Pizza**. During the night, feel free to grab a takeaway pizza and **eat it at Taverne Magnolia**. ### **Cost** * Everyone pays their own drinks and table time * If we share tables, we split costs fairly (1 game 1 Euro) ### **Safety and respect policy (non-negotiable)** We’ve had reports of creeps at other Brussels meetups bothering women. That does not happen at our events. * The host will actively keep an eye on the vibe, especially **women’s comfort and safety** * **No harassment, no sexual comments, no persistent flirting after a “no,” no invasive questions, no following people around** * If someone feels unsafe or uncomfortable, go to the host directly. The host will intervene. ### **Meet point** Meet inside near the pool tables at **Taverne Magnolia**. If you’re late, post in the event chat so rotations don’t start without you.

Time: 3:45 PM (Meeting) for the 4:00 PM Entry Slot Location: Tour & Taxis (Shed 4 bis), Brussels 👋 Important: Members Event This meetup is organized for members of Sunday Vacations. * Already a member? Great! Skip to the ticket section below. * Not a member yet? We’d love to have you! Membership starts at just €5 / year. 👉 https://www.sundayvacations.com/membership The Experience: Don't Just See History, Live It We aren't just going to look at artifacts in glass cases. We are going to walk through history. This exhibition is a "narrative journey." Instead of dry facts, you will step onto a massive 1,200m² physical reconstruction of Pompeii's streets. You will enter the shops, visit the taverns, and walk through a Roman home, all while an audio story guides you through the daily life of a family in 79 AD. It’s the closest we can get to time travel-feeling the atmosphere of the city right before everything changed. Why Pompeii is the "Holy Grail" 🌋 Pompeii is special because it is a time capsule. The volcanic ash didn't just destroy the city; it froze it. It preserved wooden furniture, loaves of bread, and even the graffiti on the walls, giving us a rare, unfiltered look at how ordinary people actually lived. 💰 Insider Details: Coins in the Ashes Keep your eyes open for these fascinating details we’ll be looking for: * The "Menu" on the Wall: Look for the tavern graffiti that lists wine prices: "Drink for 1 coin, better wine for 2, the best for 4." It’s a direct link to the inflation and daily life of the time. * The Fugitive's Purse: We'll see the story of a man found clutching 20 silver denarii—his life savings, grabbed in a panic before he tried to flee. * Red Gold: Notice how some gold coins look reddish? That’s not rust. It’s a permanent chemical change caused by the intense heat of the pyroclastic flow. The Agenda * 3:45 PM: Meet at the entrance of Shed 4 bis (Tour & Taxis). Join the WhatsApp group by sending me a message to +32 483 464 469 * 4:00 PM: Enter the exhibition together (Strict entry slot!). * 5:30 PM: Post-Expo Social: After the history, comes the community. We will head next door to the Gare Maritime Food Market to grab a drink, debate our favorite parts of the exhibit, and enjoy the evening together. 🎟️ How to Join (2 Steps) Since this is a self-booked event, please follow these steps carefully: Step 1: Get your Community Membership Ensure your membership is active via the link at the top of this description. Step 2: Buy your Exhibition Ticket * Booking Link: https://tickets.expo-pompeii.com/en/appointment/9 * Select Date: 18/01/26 * Select Time: 4:00 PM * Note: Ensure you select "Back to Pompeii" at Tour & Taxis (NOT Brussels Expo). Step 3: RSVP Here Once you have your ticket, please RSVP "Yes" on this page so we know to look for you! Getting There * Address: Avenue du Port 86C, 1000 Brussels. * Transport: Free shuttle from North Station, or bus lines 14, 20, 57, 86, 88. See you in Ancient Rome! 🍇

Come on out for a social gathering of Alexandria locals who are looking to make other local friends. I have one resolution this year, that is to make 5 new friends who live in Alexandria. I hope you all are excited about meeting people in person with the specific purpose of getting to know new friends. Bring yourself and best hope of making a new local friend.

Please go to your Meetup account and elect to receive "EVENT UPDATES FROM ORGANIZERS" to help us keep you updated. Here's how... Go to "Settings" Then go to "Email updates" Scroll down to "Updates about your groups" Then go to the name of the group and click "Edit" Then select "Event updates from organizers"

**In a time of division and isolation, come be part of the community that's rebuilding the town square, one table at a time.** In BreadBreakers, we use the common space of the dining table to have conversations where neighbors can **hear, be heard, and know one another.** If you're hungry for good discourse and deeper community, join us for a Community Dinner in Reston and help blaze the trail to a healthier, more connected society and democracy. Here’s how it works: For just two hours, multiple tables of people set aside the need to "win" and instead focus on sharing, listening, and connecting. Guided by experienced table hosts, we'll tell our stories, try to understand each other, and practice being in community with those with different views or backgrounds. **At this dinner, participants will get to choose between three different topics, including some current events.** Topics could range from the political, to the spiritual, to the philosophical, to the off-the-wall - but no matter which table you choose to sit at, you can be sure it'll be like no dinner conversation you've had before! You can also **suggest a topic** by emailing us at BreadBreakersInfo@gmail.com. Food will be provided for free. For those who wish to provide a donation to help fund BreadBreakers, you can [give here](https://pushpay.com/g/restorationrestonumc?fnd=pO6G-N7oO7FH7Mp1u-x6mA&fndv=Lock&r=No&lang=en&src=pcgl) or at the event. We'll have vegetarian and gluten-free options available. If you have any additional dietary restrictions (Celiac Disease, vegan, etc.) please let us know at BreadBreakersInfo@gmail.com so that we can implement the appropriate food handling procedures. **Join us, invite a friend, and be a part of the movement to mend our fractured society and normalize a better way of talking with one another.** BreadBreakers, an initiative by [Restoration United Methodist Church](https://restorationreston.org/breadbreakers) in Reston, VA, is a religiously inclusive community. All faiths and all stripes are welcomed. Our leadership, volunteer team, and community include people who attend Restoration and people who don't.

Federal Executive GovCon - "Supporting Government Efficiency with Thought Leadership" When: Thursday, January 22, 2026, 5:30 – 8:00 Location: Lost Rhino, 21730 Red Rum Dr, Ste 142, Ashburn, VA 20147 (\*\* NEW LOCATION \*\*) Come network with other local GovCon Executives and enjoy a few free beers on us and engage with our sponsors and Industry speakers. Please register here for your spot and please enter full name and company so a badge will be waiting for you. Sponsorships: 1 of 2 spots are available. DM me to claim the 2nd sponsorship to highlight your company to an invitation-only executive audience.

[Profs and Pints Northern Virginia](https://www.profsandpints.com/washingtondc) presents: **“Venezuela’s Future—and Ours,”** an analysis of how the Trump administration’s intervention in Venezuela will affect that nation, the U.S., and the rest of the world, with Ernesto Castañeda, Director of the Center for Latin American and Latino Studies and the Immigration Lab at American University. [Advance tickets: $13.50 plus sales tax and processing fees. Available at [https://www.ticketleap.events/tickets/profsandpints/nv-venezuela-future](https://www.ticketleap.events/tickets/profsandpints/nv-venezuela-future) .] On January 3rd, after a long military buildup, the United States used special forces to seize Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, from their residence in Caracas, Venezuela to stand trial here on criminal charges. The development marked a major turning point in our relationship with Venezuela and the rest of Latin America and raised a host of complex questions, not just for Venezuelans living inside and outside that country but for American citizens and other nations of the world. Coming to the stage to break down what all of this means is Ernesto Castañeda, a scholar of Latin America who has given several excellent Profs and Pints talks on immigration policy and has given dozens of interviews to media outlets around the world in the wake of the U.S. raid. In a talk offering informed perspective on the latest news developments, Professor Castañeda will discuss various theories about why the U.S. conducted the operation to get Maduro out of Venezuela. He’s put our nation’s current plans for Venezuela into context by touching on previous U.S. military interventions in Latin America and beyond. Professor Castañeda will look at the implications of recent events for U.S. politics and U.S. citizens and what such developments tell us about the balance of power in the United States. He’ll examine the distance between decisions made by the White House and public priorities, touching on how it all relates to our immigration policies and our views about peaceful protest and democracy. He’ll consider how the Venezuela raid and our actions since have altered relations between the U.S. and other nations and provide scenarios about what the future might hold. (Door: $17, or $15 with a student ID. Listed time is for doors. The talk starts 30 minutes later.) Image by Canva.

Please go to your Meetup account and elect to receive "EVENT UPDATES FROM ORGANIZERS" to help us keep you updated. Here's how... Go to "Settings" Then go to "Email updates" Scroll down to "Updates about your groups" Then go to the name of the group and click "Edit" Then select "Event updates from organizers"

Since 1961, Amnesty International USA has fought to protect human rights as the world’s largest grassroots human rights organization. Our local group generally meets the second Wednesday of every month at the Cleveland Park Library. Each month, we do letter writing actions, discuss human rights issues in the news, and plan for hosting or participating in occasional events area events. For more information, email Mike Duffy at michaelbernardduffy@gmail.com.