logo we have the choice

When the world needs us to sit together, listen and connect

We have the choice

We have a Choice has grown out of a voluntary citizens’ initiative by Kristin Verellen – who lost her life partner in the attacks of Maelbeek on 22 March 2016 – and a circle of friends. In a world where harshness, polarization, extremism, blind violence and terror lead to traumatizing situations, we want to build a culture of inclusive togetherness inclusion and dialogue.

Circles

The Circles, guided by professional facilitators, offer a qualitative moment in which we become still and quiet, then share with each other in words or in silence what is going on inside of us.

In addition “We have the choice” also develops other projects to support its mission.

Planned Circles

“We all contribute to the greater whole”, wrote Gerlinde Flo to Kristin Verellen. She articulates beautifully how we like to put the Circles in the world: as healing rituals that contribute to a society where we know ourselves as connected with each other. You are very welcome to participate in the Open Circles. Here you find the planned circles.

Stay
informed

Support
us

All
activities

“Thank you for this space to think about our love, our loss and all that we share… It was a moment to come down from our busy-ness, to allow ourselves time and space to reflect and feel, and to share both laughter and tears…. Suzy”

“I treasure these moments of stillness together in the circles.  I feel connected with myself, with the others, with the world.  I can welcome the emotions, stories and reflections that we share in the group, through silence and through words. I return home with more clarity. Dorothy”
22Mar '23

THE 22-03 GATHERING BRUSSELS

The 22-03 gathering Brussels: A CIRCLE A DAY + CIRCLE TO COMMEMORATE & CONNECT A CIRCLE A DAY — 22 MARCH 2023 — A living monument for peace 13h - 17h De Brouckèreplein, Brussel Connection, equality, slowing down, peace, presence ... Do you want to join the circle? Welcome to this first circle of A CIR [...]

Circles & activities

2Sep '23

Circle for victims in collaboration with V-Europe

  • When    Saturday September 2
  • Where    V-Europe, Ottignies
  • What    Saturday, September 2, we invite victims of the attacks in Brussels on March 2016 to attend a circle ritual. Seven years ago, the attacks shocked our country. It was a personal and collective tragedy that made us realize that we all have a choice every day: answer hate with fear and more hate, or choose love and more connection. The court trial this year brought the past into the present again. Stories of perpetrators and victims remain with us. Again, in this moment, can we feel what this does to us and continue to choose for connection? Everyone is welcome to join this circle to reflect on how we can hold those we loved close to our hearts, and how we can also move on with our lives after this intense period of the trial. We make time to listen to each other. The circle is guided by experienced facilitators in Dutch, French and English. Everyone can speak in their own language. Silence is a language too. This circle is an initiative of V-Europe, a major victim support organization in Belgium, and ‘We have the choice’, a voluntary organization that has been offering circles for human connection in various multicultural contexts for 7 years at significant moments of transition as a positive response to the attacks in Brussels in 2016. ‘We have the choice’ was founded by Kristin Verellen, who lost her partner in the attack in Maelbeek
  • Participation    Free
  • Registration      Only on invitation by V-Europe
22Mar '23

THE 22-03 GATHERING BRUSSELS

The 22-03 gathering Brussels: A CIRCLE A DAY + CIRCLE TO COMMEMORATE & CONNECT
A CIRCLE A DAY — 22 MARCH 2023 — A living monument for peace
13h – 17h
De Brouckèreplein, Brussel
Connection, equality, slowing down, peace, presence … Do you want to join the circle?
Welcome to this first circle of A CIRCLE A DAY during THE 22-03 GATHERING at De Brouckèreplein in Brussels. We invite you to stand still for a moment together, to become aware of each other’s presence, to experience our wordless connection beyond differences, and to leave this circle with a warmer heart. A CIRCLE A DAY is a living monument for peace. A poem will mark the center of the circle where we will be standing together.
Can you imagine a large silent circle of people at the square? A circle that expands and contracts, in which everyone is welcome?
By standing in a circle together, we are engaged in a symbolic, tangible and visible action that stands out clearly for everyone to witness. Together we form an open and safe space where we can truly see one another. We welcome anyone who wants to join. It is inclusive. As people enter the circle, the circle grows. When they leave, the circle shrinks.
We hope that this first A CIRCLE A DAY will inspire people to replicate it in different towns, sharing with more and more people the simple act of standing together in a circle where this poem of peace is placed in its center.
CIRCLE TO COMMEMORATE & CONNECT – 22 MARCH 2023 – We have the choice
3pm – 4:30pm
Place De Brouckère, Brussels (tent)
Which choice do you make?
Seven years ago, on March 22, 2016, the attacks in Zaventem and Maalbeek affected everyone in our country. It was a tragic event that left us with a clear choice: Do we answer hate with more hate and fear or do we resolutely choose connection and kindness?
Besides the silent circle of A CIRCLE A DAY outside at the square, there will be a circle ritual accompanied by ‘We have the choice’ inside the large tent between 3pm and 4:30pm.
Everybody is welcome to join this circle in order to ‘remember and reconnect’. People passing by, victims, relatives, fellow citizens, first responders, young and old …

We will have time to listen to each other and share our experience of what we consider to be today’s challenges and hopegivers in our personal lives and in society. We want to explore how we can choose to continue to see what connects us rather than what pulls us into polarization, alienation or conflict. The circle will be guided by experienced facilitators in Dutch, French and English. Everyone can speak their own language. Silence is also welcome.

THE 22-03 GATHERING is an initiative of artist Alexandra Jacquet, initiator of A CIRCLE A DAY, and ‘We have the choice’ vzw/asbl, an organization that was founded in response to the attacks in Brussels in 2016, initiated by Kristin Verellen who lost her partner in the event. ‘We have the choice’ has been facilitating connecting circle rituals for human connection that mark important transitional moments for more than 6 years. Partners of THE 22-03 GATHERING are V-Europe and Hummus.
Go to Top