Tracey D'Afters

Brexit has been quite a shock for Tracey D'Afters. Having lived in Tervuren since 2009, she has been directly affected by the UK's departure. Initially solely a UK citizen, Tracey has been Belgian since 2018. That's made the practicalities of life in Tervuren easier, especially with a Flemish husband and small family.

With Dutch, French, and a smattering of German and even West Flemish, Tracey feels connected to both the town's local and international communities. But she notices how many Tervurenaars are disconnected and under-represented in town politics. "We're more than just taxpayers. Everyone needs to feel represented in the town council," she says. "I strongly believe in 'no taxation without representation'."

Tracey wants Tervuren's town council to reflect a broader range of viewpoints to invigorate councillor debates. "The next logical step was joining the pan-European party Volt. Now we're setting up a branch in Tervuren."

As a communications professional, she understands the significance of talking with, rather than at, people, listening to each other, and negotiating the best outcomes for everyone. "The town hall needs to engage with everyone. Every individual should matter in Tervuren, regardless of their background, language, nationality, gender, or who their loved ones are."