Citizenship Award 2025: Yasmien Naciri and Colette Braeckman

For its 21st edition, the Citizenship Award honours two Belgian women whose paths reflect a deep commitment to a more just, inclusive, and united society: Colette Braeckman, a renowned journalist who has shed light for decades on geopolitical issues and the complex realities of Central Africa, and Yasmien Naciri, a social entrepreneur and activist for inclusion and youth empowerment.

Two inspiring journeys in service of truth

Yasmien Naciri, a young entrepreneur, consultant, columnist, lecturer at Karel de Grote Hogeschool, and woman of action, is the founder of the non-profit Amana, active in Belgium and Morocco, and Fleks, a youth initiative in Antwerp that promotes entrepreneurship among young people from disadvantaged backgrounds. She advocates for more diversity in companies, contributed to the creation of the “student entrepreneur” status, and set a legal precedent in Belgium by having an internet troll convicted in 2018. Naciri sits on the boards of several institutions including the Hannah Arendt Institute, Ancienne Belgique, and Formaat – the umbrella organization for youth centers in Flanders. 

She is also the author of several books on social justice and the fight against discrimination, including Klassenjustitie (Class Justice) (2024), which explores unconscious biases, systemic inequalities, and the feeling of (in)justice in our society. “For me, citizenship is inseparable from my faith in liberal democracy and the rule of law. It is lived in the common space where we act, speak, and take responsibility together. This prize therefore also belongs to the hundreds of people who have crossed my path and who share this citizenship with me,” affirms Yasmien Naciri.

Colette Braeckman has been a senior reporter at Le Soir for 50 years. She co-founded the first journalists' association in Belgium. She is known for her investigations into conflicts in Central Africa, notably in Rwanda, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. She is the author of numerous books, including The Man Who Repairs Women (2016), dedicated to Dr. Denis Mukwege. Her rigorous and committed journalism has helped highlight sexual violence in conflict zones and the challenges of decolonization. She has also participated in working groups on colonial memory in Belgium. 

Honored with a Doctor Honoris Causa in Belgium (ULiège) and in the DRC (UCBukavu), she continues to share her knowledge with young people through writing workshops: “This prize is above all an honour to be shared with all the absent, the lesser-known, even the disappeared, who will benefit from this beautiful initiative, because we, present here, are only transmitters of their stories,” says Colette Braeckman.

A powerful message for younger generations

Colette Braeckman and Yasmien Naciri share a deeply rooted commitment to denouncing injustice and amplifying vulnerable voices. Both use their writing and their voice as powerful tools to shed light on social dysfunctions - whether systemic inequalities in their own country or geopolitical crises on the other side of the world. Their work reflects courage, dedication, and unwavering faith in the power of active citizenship. They remind us that engagement knows no age or borders, and that defending the rights of others is also a way to strengthen the foundations of our own democracy.

Two women, two generations, and a strong commitment to future generations. According to our presidents Jessy Siongers (VUB/UGent) and Olivier Servais (UCLouvain) : “The laureates embody active and courageous citizenship. They show young people that it is possible to turn indignation into concrete and lasting action.” They also share a desire to pass on knowledge by organizing writing workshops for young people and debates around social justice.

A prize for action 

The Prize will allow each laureate to financially support a project aligned with their commitment. Colette Braeckman will support the Bureau for Volunteering in Service of Children and Health (BEVS), one of the leading Congolese NGOs defending children's rights, with influence extending beyond the DRC, notably in the Great Lakes region.

Yasmien Naciri wishes to strengthen the activities of the Hannah Arendt Institute, dedicated to reinforcing democracy. Based in Mechelen, the Institute connects research, policy, education, and practice around themes of citizenship, diversity, and urbanity.

In addition, the laureates will receive an engraving by artist Philip Aguirre y Otegui.

Discover the brochure with portraits of our laureates.