On March 26th, 2025, the European Union & International Affairs Office of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints hosted a women’s-only dinner titled “G20 and South Africa’s Priorities for Women and Girls” in Brussels. The event featured H.E. Ms. Tokozile Xasa, Ambassador of South Africa to The Kingdom of Belgium, The Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, and Head of Mission to the European Union, who delivered the keynote address.
Ambassador Xasa, representing South Africa as the current G20 President, highlighted the nation's key priorities for empowering women and girls. She emphasized initiatives to address gender-based violence, promote women’s financial inclusion, and create pathways for women in leadership, governance, and decision-making roles. “The challenges faced by one nation impact all nations,” Ambassador Xasa remarked. “By promoting equality, we strive to ensure fair treatment and equal opportunities for all individuals and nations, regardless of their economic status, gender, race, geographic location, or any other characteristic.”
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| Temple Square is always beautiful in the springtime. Gardeners work to prepare the ground for General Conference. © 2012 Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved. | 1 / 2 |
Jean Bingham, former General Relief Society President of the Church and current Government Relations Representative of the Church’s European Union Office, served as the master of ceremonies. Her remarks helped foster connections and friendship among the guests. Attendees were from over 25 different countries, and included ambassadors, ambassadors’ spouses, representatives from the European Commission, global civil society organizations, and church leaders from the local stakes.
Ambassador Xasa concluded her address by stating, “I believe this is not just a dinner, but part of the building blocks for the whole world to participate... This is not just a dinner, but it is where we can enhance women's voices.”
Guests were delighted by a special performance by Aaron McInnis, an operatic tenor and local church member, and Marie Datcharry, who accompanied him on the piano. Both are highly accomplished musicians, with McInnis recognized for his roles at prestigious venues such as the Wiener Staatsoper and Théâtre royal de la Monnaie, and Datcharry acclaimed for her work as a concert pianist across Europe and Asia.
Brussels, the capital of Belgium, is home to over 190 foreign embassies and diplomatic missions, making it a significant hub for international diplomacy. It is also home to a number of principal EU institutions within its European Quarter. The European Union and International Affairs Office of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, inaugurated in 2013, works with EU bodies, diplomatic missions, civil society organizations and other churches on critical issues such as human rights, including freedom of religion and belief, the family as the foundational unit of society, and humanitarian aid.