High IQ

*Originally scheduled for November 25, 2025 — postponed due to national strike* **REGISTRATION IS COMPULSARY [HERE](https://www.science-by-trianon.com/event-details/security-through-environmental-social-and-economic-sustainability)** **Stop pretending sustainability and security are separate conversations. They never were.** Here's the uncomfortable truth most security establishments refuse to acknowledge: Environmental degradation, social inequality, and economic instability aren't peripheral "soft issues", they're direct threat multipliers that undermine both national and international stability. While defense ministries obsess over conventional threats, the real security challenges are already here: climate-induced state failure, resource wars masquerading as territorial disputes, and social fragmentation that external powers exploit like a geopolitical cheat code. This panel brings together people who actually work at these intersections, defense strategists, environmental policy experts, economists, and social governance specialists, to do what should have been done decades ago: integrate sustainability into security doctrine, not as a nice-to-have, but as strategic necessity. ### Why this actually matters (And why now) The scramble for critical minerals essential to the green transition, lithium, cobalt, rare earths, is creating new spheres of influence and dependencies. Control over sustainable technologies and resources is becoming as strategically significant as fossil fuel dominance was in the 20th century. Yet most security frameworks still treat this as "environmental policy." Meanwhile: Rising seas are redrawing maritime boundaries and creating stateless climate refugees at unprecedented scales. Climate impacts are forcing geopolitical realignments, from small island states forming new coalitions to food exporters gaining leverage, to climate-induced state failure creating power vacuums that major powers vie to fill. The question isn't whether sustainability matters for geopolitics. It's who will shape the rules of this new geopolitical order, and whether cooperation or competition will define the transition. (Spoiler: current trends suggest the latter, which is precisely why we need different thinking.) ### What we're actually discussing **Geopolitical competition & Resource control** How control over renewable energy supply chains, Arctic resources amid ice melt, and transboundary water basins is reshaping strategic competition. Because apparently we learned nothing from oil-driven conflicts and are determined to repeat the pattern with green tech. **The new energy geopolitics** The transition away from fossil fuels is fundamentally restructuring global power relationships. Petrostates face existential challenges while nations controlling green technology and manufacturing capacity gain strategic advantage. We're watching the greatest power shift since industrialization, and most security establishments are cosplaying like it's still 1985. **Climate change as a geopolitical disruptor** Maritime boundaries, climate refugees, and state failure. This isn't theoretical, it's happening now. **Environmental security as national security** The nexus between climate change, resource scarcity, and conflict, water stress, climate-induced migration, food security disruptions, and extreme weather impacts on critical infrastructure. The stuff that actually destabilizes regions while we debate missile counts. **Social cohesion & Stability** How inequality, lack of access to services, and social fragmentation create conditions for instability, extremism, and state fragility—with particular attention to how external powers exploit social divisions for geopolitical advantage. Because nothing says "national security threat" like a population with nothing to lose. **Economic resilience & Security** The relationship between economic sustainability, supply chain vulnerabilities, and strategic autonomy, examining how economic disparities and unsustainable development models generate security risks. Turns out you can't bomb your way out of economic dependency. **Breaking Institutional Silos** Practical approaches to integrate sustainability considerations into defense planning, foreign policy, and security frameworks—and conversely, to integrate security thinking into environmental and development policy. Revolutionary concept: maybe different government departments should talk to each other. ### Who's Speaking **Hélène de Rengervé** \- Business & Human Rights Advocate\, Forced Labour expert\, currently Senior EU Corporate Accountability Advocate at Human Rights Watch\. She led the advocacy that resulted in the EU's Forced Labour Regulation and Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive\. **Serge Stroobants** \- Director Europe & MENA at the Institute for Economics and Peace\. Former Belgian military officer with 25 years operational experience\, now focuses on political science\, international relations\, security and defense\, global risk analysis\, and crisis management\. **Two additional speakers TBD** \- Because we're selective about who gets to challenge the status quo on this stage\. ### The Bottom Line Nations that fail to integrate sustainability into their security doctrine will find themselves strategically disadvantaged. Those that control clean energy technologies, critical minerals, and sustainable food systems are emerging as the new power brokers. This event aims to foster cross-sectoral dialogue, develop integrated policy frameworks, and build coalitions that can translate the sustainability-security nexus from concept to operational reality. Because good intentions and conference declarations have gotten us precisely nowhere. Time to stop treating security and sustainability as competing priorities and start recognizing that in 2025, they're the same damn thing. **REGISTRATION IS COMPULSARY [HERE](https://www.science-by-trianon.com/event-details/security-through-environmental-social-and-economic-sustainability)**

🎲 **Board Game Night – Everyone Welcome!** Join us in the heart of Antwerp for a fun-filled evening at our board game café! With over 600 board games, drinks on hand, and a welcoming crowd, it's the perfect place to meet new people, learn a game or two, and simply have a great time. Just walk in, grab a drink, pick a game and let the fun begin! 6 euro admission fee. IG: @theplaygroundgames

In the early 2000s, social networking sites such as Friendster (2002), MySpace (2003) and Facebook (launched in February 2004) helped make the internet feel personal and social, promising connection, community and self-expression. Since then, the centre of gravity has shifted from “keeping up with friends” to large-scale feeds powered by recommender systems. Much of what people see is selected to maximise attention and time spent. Research on impacts is still contested and causality is difficult to establish, but public health bodies are flagging clear warning signs. WHO Europe reports that “problematic social media use” among adolescents rose from 7% in 2018 to 11% in 2022, and that many young people report near-continuous online contact. Regulation is now moving fast, and increasingly towards age-based restrictions. Australia began enforcing a rule from 10 December 2025 requiring platforms to prevent under-16s from holding accounts, with penalties aimed at companies. France is preparing an Australia-style ban for under-15s from September 2026. At EU level, the Digital Services Act is being operationalised through the Commission’s guidelines on protecting minors (published 14 July 2025), while the European Parliament has backed an EU-wide “digital minimum age” of 16, with parental consent between 13 and 16, in a non-binding resolution. The hard question is what works best in practice. Age limits are difficult to enforce and raise privacy concerns around age checks, but they also send a strong signal about what society expects from platforms used by children. That is the choice we will test together: should we focus on bans and age thresholds, or on redesigning platforms so children can safely benefit from the online world they will grow up in. This debate will follow a British Parliamentary format with eight debaters split into **four teams of two.** Participants who wish to speak are highly encouraged to bring a paper and pen. You are welcome to participate even if you have no prior debating experience. We aim for debates that are respectful, constructive, and welcoming: * **Respect ideas and people** Listen actively, stay quiet while others speak, and debate arguments, not identities or beliefs. * **Be concise and civil** Keep questions short and relevant; avoid hostility, hate speech, or discrimination. * **Respect boundaries and time** No unwanted advances or suggestive behavior; arrive on time to avoid disrupting the debate. * **Follow moderators** They guide the discussion and ensure fairness.

Dear Folks, Ready for real conversations and genuine connections? Join us for an intimate **BFF** **Speed Dating evening** designed for people who value **quality conversations over quick judgments**. **Program Overview** **19:00 Welcome & Warm-Up** **Group Ice-Breaking Session** Duration: **25–30 minutes** * Participants are divided into **small groups of 4–6 people** * Each round lasts **5 minutes** * **5 rounds** in total * Everyone briefly introduces themselves (name + a few fun prompts) *** **19:30 One-to-One Friend Speed Dating** **BFF Speed Conversations** Duration: **45–60 minutes** * Format: **1-to-1 conversations** * Each conversation lasts **3 minutes** * **15 rounds** * Participants rotate after each round *** **20:30 Connection Recall & Matching** **Friend Match Selection (5 minutes)** * Participants take a few minutes to reflect * Each person writes down: * Their **own name** * The **names or numbers** of people they would like to connect with as friends * Notes are collected by the host After the event, **The host will match people only when the interest is mutual** and introduce them afterward. *** **20:40 Free Networking & Hang-Out Time** **Open Social Time** * Casual conversations * Reconnecting with people you liked * Drinks, laughter, and free-flow interactions *** **22:00 Event Ends** P.S. Please come 10 minutes in advance, to order your drinks. Let's make the first move together! ❤️❤️❤️ Looking forward to seeing you guys! Yifei

**Workshop: Life Turns: Find Your Center with Purpose and Self-Esteem** By Claudia Arena Brussels, 14 January 2026 Register here: https://www.imaginationclub.org/brussels/life_turns.php Life Turns. It happens. And what seemed "normal" now shakes. You change country, career, spouse, you have children, children leave home, somebody dies, someone new comes into your life, and so on. Whatever might happen, we know that in the middle of the hurricane, the centre is stable. What is your centre? What is that reassuring Northern Star that will bring you home, wherever you are? Using practical exercises based on polyvagal theory and art-therapy, we will explore how to recognise when you are aligned with your center and how to go back to it. During this workshop you can expect to: \* Learn/refresh some basic concepts of polyvagal theory. \* Have fun with colours, clay and art materials. \* Identify your Northern Star. \* Experience the feeling of being at peace in whatever situation you are. When Purpose is bigger than pain, your talent and values will allow you to proceed in your life with joy and meaning. About Claudia Arena Founder and owner of EPSILOC, Claudia facilitates art therapy and self-development through group workshops, team-building activities, and individual sessions. She uses various techniques, including autobiographical writing and clay and art materials. Her strength lies in the integration of rational and emotional approaches whhich are rooted in her Life experiences. These include a PhD in Physics; a Coaching and facilitation license; Arts of Fire – Ceramics; a C1 qualification; a Focusing facilitator's license; and an Art Therapy Practitioner certificate. She wrote her autobiography in 2019, as well as a Self-Esteem guide for school teachers. The title of her last book is “Life Turns. Find your center with the Earth”, where she guides the reader to use clay as a powerful tool for self-discovery and development. **Practical Information** When Wednesday, 14 January 2026 from 18h45-21h00 **Where?** Timesmore Boulevard St Michel 47, 1040 Brussels **How much?** €15 to cover expenses including materials, drinks, snacks, etc. - payable at the door. **Event web page** https://www.imaginationclub.org/brussels/life_turns.php **Please Share** If you feel your friends, family and/or colleagues may be interested in this workshop, please share it with them. The Imagination Club relies on new participants to cover our operational costs and maintain a diverse, perceptive and intelligent audience (in other words, people like you) for our events. **Might you be interested to give a workshop at the Imagination Club?** Whether you are a complete beginner or a seasoned professional, you are welcome to try out your workshop ideas at the club. We have dates available for this spring and summer

Hallo Freunde der deutschen Sprache, wir laden alle, die gern ihr Deutsch üben wollen und in Brüssel geblieben sind, zum nächsten Treffen ein! Bei schönen Wetter sitzen wir im Garten des James Joyce. Falls Ihr angemeldet seid, aber nicht kommen könnt, wären wir dankbar für Eure Abmeldung (WhatsApp - Mike: +32 475 60 88 68). Wir freuen uns auf den Austausch mit Euch!

🤝 Comment améliorer le vivre ensemble ? 🌍 **Dialogue philo** Dans un monde où les divisions semblent s’accentuer, comment recréer du lien, du respect et une véritable fraternité ? Le “vivre ensemble” ne se décrète pas : il se cultive, jour après jour, par une meilleure connaissance de soi et une ouverture sincère aux autres. Lors de ce dialogue philosophique, nous explorerons ce qui favorise l’harmonie entre les individus et les communautés, à la lumière des sagesses d’Orient et d’Occident. Un moment d’échange accessible à toutes et à tous, dans un esprit d’écoute, de réflexion et de bienveillance. ✨ Venez avec vos idées, vos questions, et la curiosité d’apprendre des autres ! Tarif : 5€ (boisson comprise)

Making new friends in a new city doesn’t need to be a struggle at all.

Brussels is Europe’s heart, and our meetup is its friendly beat. [[Click this WhatsApp groupchat link to join]](https://chat.whatsapp.com/FtTicl3FDMmArG6JMYFjK7) Join us Saturdays at 7:30 PM for a language and culture exchange like no other. With attendees in their 20s and 30s from across the globe, it’s where ideas and friendships flourish. Let’s connect over words and waffles.

THIS SATURDAY 17 JANUARY 2026 \| 22:00 \- 04:00 \| BXL MAIN EVENT **INTERNATIONAL PARTY \- MADAME MOUSTACHE \| 80's 90's 2000's \- Powered By Just A Night** Facebook : [https://fb.me/e/6uJyuPYlx](https://fb.me/e/6uJyuPYlx) Skip the Line & Garanty Pass : [https://www.partyfinder.com/en/event/14958](https://www.partyfinder.com/en/event/14958) Or tickets at the Door *** INTERNATIONAL PARTY BACK TO THE 80s 90s 2000s MADAME MOUSTACHE – Powered by Just A Night SPECIAL GUEST DJ : TBA XXL BRUSSELS PARTY \| INTERNATIONAL VIBES \| COSMOPOLITAN ENERGY *** Just A Night débarque à Madame Moustache pour une édition exceptionnelle ! Concept nomade et incontournable à Bruxelles, Just A Night réunit depuis plus de 10 ans les amoureux de la nuit : Artistes, DJ’s, mannequins, fêtards, globe-trotters, expats et gens cools de tous horizons ! Cette fois-ci, préparez-vous à danser sur les meilleurs sons old school, des 80’s aux 2000’s, remixés comme jamais. Ambiance & univers rétro. Une balade musicale à vivre entre amis, au cœur de la ville en fête. CHEZ MADAME MOUSTACHE ON VA REMONTER ET RECHAUFFER LA TEMPERATURE 😉 *** INFOS & RÉSERVATIONS info@justanight.net +32 478 58 60 39 (booking & anniversaires) *** Facebook : [https://fb.me/e/6uJyuPYlx](https://fb.me/e/6uJyuPYlx) Madame Moustache 5-7 Quai au Bois à Brûler, 1000 Brussels

**CE SAMEDI 17 JANVIER 2026** **WE LOVE 80s, 90s, 00s 💖 ENTRÉE GRATUITE (< 22h30) +Live Band💖 LA PLUS GRANDE SOIREE 30+ 💖 ACTE 3** **________________________________________** **🔥 LA SOIRÉE 30+ N°1 EN BELGIQUE 🔥** **🎸 LIVE BAND en première partie : WINSTON DOGS** **👇 BILLET GRATUIT ICI 👇SI TU VIENS AVEC TON QR CODE AVANT 22:30** **🔗 [https://www.eventbrite.be/e/billets-we-love-80s-90s-00s-entree-gratuite-22h30-single-party-acte-3-1979153081143?aff=oddtdtcreator](https://www.eventbrite.be/e/billets-we-love-80s-90s-00s-entree-gratuite-22h30-single-party-acte-3-1979153081143?aff=oddtdtcreator)** **📘 Event Facebook** **🔗 [https://fb.me/e/7uIqlVi2i](https://fb.me/e/7uIqlVi2i)** **________________________________________** **💃🕺 Puis DANCEFLOOR NON-STOP jusqu’au bout de la nuit** **📅 Samedi 17 janvier 2026** **📍 ACTE 3 – Braine-l’Alleud** **________________________________________** **🎟️ ENTRÉE GRATUITE AVANT 22H30** **(⚠️ uniquement avec ticket Eventbrite téléchargé AVANT le jour J)** **💞 Célibataire, en couple ou juste envie de faire la fête ?** **👉 Ici, les cœurs se connectent et la piste s’enflamme.** **🎶 Beatles • Nirvana • Coolio • Téléphone • U2 • Bronski Beat • Kravitz • 80s • 90s • 00s** **🚗 Parking gratuit \| 👗 Dress code rétro \(ou chic\)** **🔥 PLACES LIMITÉES – NE RATE PAS LA PREMIÈRE CŒUR À CŒUR 2026** **________________________________________** **📍 Lieu : L’Acte 3 Event Hall, Clos Lamartine 1, 1420 Braine-l'Alleud**

Are you feeling stressed, overwhelmed, or simply curious about ways to reconnect with your body and mind? Join me for a **free introductory sophrology session** this **Saturday, January 17** at **Amimo Orban (Woluwe-Saint-Pierre)**. Sophrology is a gentle body&mind practice that combines breathing exercises, relaxation techniques, and positive visualization. No prior experience is needed — everyone is welcome! **Session time:** * 🕛 English session: 12:00 – 13:00 📍 **Location:** Amimo Orban – Av. de Tervueren 412, 1150 Woluwe-Saint-Pierre ✨ **Spots are limited and will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis.**

**What to expect** An evening for neurodiverse adults (18+) to come together, share experiences, and make new friends. The evening will be semi-structured, running from 7pm to 9pm. Once everyone has arrived we will do a quick icebreaker activity to get to know each other. Next, participants will be split up into small discussion groups of 4 or 5 people spread out around the space. Everyone will get a conversation card with a thought-provoking question related to their neurodivergent experience. For example, “What is one example of some life advice that has really helped you?” , “In what contexts do you feel like you can be your neurodivergent self fully without having to mask?” and “what similarities and differences do you see between yourself and other neurodivergent people?”These questions are meant to start a conversation, but you are free to let the discussion evolve naturally in any direction! After 15-20 minutes you’ll be allocated to a different discussion group with entirely new people and new conversation starters. The remaining portion of the evening will allow you to mill around the room to talk to anyone you wish about anything you wish to talk about. You can also play a board game if you like. We have the space until 21:30. **For Who?** Neurodiverse adults (18+) A formal diagnosis is not necessary. This event is open to anyone who can relate to the difficulties and experiences of being neurodivergent or is trying to figure things out. Neurodivergence includes but is not limited to autism, ADHD, HS , OCD, BPD etc **When** First and third Fridays of the month, with the exception of school and normal holidays. See Meetup for the exact dates and any updates/changes to each event. There will be free water, tea and coffee at the International House, as well as soft drinks at the honesty bar where everything is 2€ (Exact change or card)

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.

Private Group. Closed to the Public Knowing ourselves and understanding our abilities is the first step toward wielding our gifts with control and accuracy. In subsequent classes we will verify and hone our talents with activities and discussion. These are hands-on workshops and participation is expected. The goal of our series will be to develop expertise in areas of particular interest such as mediumship, channeling, divination, healing and, etc.. Our ultimate directions will be determined by class members as we evolve. I look forward to sharing and discovering with you. - Cynthia

We are a real world Martial arts group. \ Called DO JUNG ISHU (the art of fighting) \ Based off of Jeet kune do we just continued where Bruce Lee left off. \ We have been around a while. \ We are donation based. Every week we get together and work technical skills and live pressure testing. \ Almost all of the instructors have been in everything from altercations in the real world to the ring and some still compete in the cage. \ If you want to take your skills up, improve your confidence, gain self defense skills, get in better shape, test yourself or just want to kill some time and possibly get hit a bit come on down. \ We will be located at 3923 N High St, Columbus, OH 43214 inside the whetstone rec in the auditorium, center upstairs in classroom B or outside in the grass between the playground and horseshoe area. our instructors are normally in a black and red art of fighting shirt \ if you can not find us call or text me at 6143570295 Saturday 1pm Wednesday 5:30pm From Age 16 and up. attendees under the age of 18 must have a guardian with them. \ \ You must have a free leisure card for the rec center and must be registered for our class specifically .\ Wear workout clothing \ Bring a MOUTHPIECE! \ WE HAVE GLOVES. \ Hope to see you soon :-).\ We are run off of donations. \ let me know if you have any questions :)

We're collaborating with Westerville Queer Collective to gather supplies and pack care packages. Head over to their event page to [register](https://www.meetup.com/meetup-group-wroejsfn/events/312453970/) officially. We’ll be assembling care packages with food, warm weather supplies, recreational items like books, and resource guides for local unhoused folks. Packages will then be delivered to HEER2SERVE, local nonprofit that has weekly “serves”, when they go out into local encampment areas and deliver needed items and food. Our care packages will be a part of that. WQC will supply containers and food items for the care packages. So this time we are primarily focusing on gathering donations for keeping warm, including up to 50 of the following items: Clean or new socks, hats, scarves and gloves Handwarmers Sanitizing wipes Lighters You are welcome to contribute items or just come and help pack. Leave a comment if you are bringing donations. We can also accept money donations through WQC.

We are a real world Martial arts group. \ Called DO JUNG ISHU (the art of fighting) \ Based off of Jeet kune do we just continued where Bruce Lee left off. \ We have been around a while. \ We are donation based. Every week we get together and work technical skills and live pressure testing. \ Almost all of the instructors have been in everything from altercations in the real world to the ring and some still compete in the cage. \ If you want to take your skills up, improve your confidence, gain self defense skills, get in better shape, test yourself or just want to kill some time and possibly get hit a bit come on down. \ We will be located at 3923 N High St, Columbus, OH 43214 inside the whetstone rec center in the auditorium, upstairs in classroom B or outside in the grass between the playground and horseshoe area. our instructors are normally in a black and red art of fighting shirt \ if you can not find us call or text me at 6143570295 Saturday 1pm Wednesday 5:30pm From Age 16 and up. attendees under the age of 18 must have a guardian with them. \ \ You must have a free leisure card for the rec center and must be registered for our class specifically .\ Wear workout clothing \ Bring a MOUTHPIECE! \ WE HAVE GLOVES. \ Hope to see you soon :-).\ We are run off of donations. \ let me know if you have any questions :)

Sleep in on Sundays. When you've had your fill of pajama-time, roll out and have some tasty brunch with your fellow Humanists!

Rev. Steven Clevenger is an ordained spiritualist minister with over 40 years experience as a Spiritual Healer, Clairvoyant and Spiritual Teacher, educated and trained at the White Lily Chapel. Rev. Siobhan Wolf Shaffer is an ordained spiritualist minister and certified medium and healer with over 20 years experience. She began her development in 1988 in Pennsylvania and continued when she moved to Ohio in 1998 where she studied at Rays of Lights Church with Rev. Steven Clevenger. Our full worship services consist of an inspirational lecture, healing meditation, and messages from the spirit world that serve to demonstrate evidence of eternal life. Please visit our Official Church Website (http://raysoflightchurch.com) for more information.

Let's have lunch at Uptown Westerville's newest restaurant. Ampersand is owned by the same couple who owns Asterisk. They are known for ramen, rice bowls, teriyaki and small plates.