How can a child adhere to school and the notion of secularism when they see their mother rejected from a school outing, stigmatized, left on the sidelines, just because she has a scarf on her head? Najat Vallaud-Belkacem More Quotes by Najat Vallaud-Belkacem More Quotes From Najat Vallaud-Belkacem If a big number of young pupils felt secularism was an attack on them, it was because the term had been misused and deformed in the public debate for years by the extreme-right and the right as an attack on Islam. The term had often been misused to point out how Muslims were different to others, and that is clearly problematic. Najat Vallaud-Belkacem bigdebateislamyoung School is at once a place of hope, but it's also a laboratory that exposes our differences. Najat Vallaud-Belkacem placedifferenceshopeschool We have to reappropriate the concept of laicite (secularism) so we can explain to our young pupils that whatever their faith, they belong to this idea, and they're not excluded. Secularism is not something against them; it protects them. Najat Vallaud-Belkacem explainwhateversomethingfaith Equality in education is my number one battle. Najat Vallaud-Belkacem numberequalitybattleeducation The education ministry files suit every time there is a case of identity fraud. Najat Vallaud-Belkacem fraudidentityeducationtime The proliferation of bans fuels stereotypes and discriminates against a community. Najat Vallaud-Belkacem fuelsstereotypesagainstcommunity We need everyone to be a feminist. Feminism is the fight for the equality of sexes, not for the domination of one sex over another. Najat Vallaud-Belkacem needfightequalitysex The fact of leaving one's country, one's family, one's roots, can be painful. My father had already found his place, but for us, for my mother, it was very difficult to get our bearings. Najat Vallaud-Belkacem placefamilymotherfather It's more necessary than ever before to ensure that discernment and the development of a critical mind guide our take on the world and inform our relationship to the media and information. Najat Vallaud-Belkacem mediamindrelationshipworld When I started out, it was rare to see elected representatives with foreign roots. Often, I was relegated to my origins, put in the diversity box: 'You're the new face of diversity.' That annoyed me because I always felt French, and suddenly I was being made to feel I wan't as French as others. Najat Vallaud-Belkacem facefeelmeyou I feel totally French - I don't feel half-French because of my dual nationality. For me, dual nationality just means I don't deny my roots. Najat Vallaud-Belkacem feeljustmeroots I'm aware that beyond my own need to find a personal balance, I should be sending a signal to society as women's minister about the importance of work-life balance. Najat Vallaud-Belkacem womenmy-ownbalancesociety Compared to some of our neighbours, it's not frowned upon to be a mother and work in France. Najat Vallaud-Belkacem oursomemotherwork On certain, delicate subjects, bringing in outsiders to talk about values is pertinent because pupils listen to them more attentively. Najat Vallaud-Belkacem listenmoretalkvalues School was always a major player in my personal journey. It allowed me to open up to the world, and also social mobility. It allowed me to enrich myself, to read, learn and understand. Najat Vallaud-Belkacem myselfmejourneyworld It is not just family that must transmit values, but school also. Najat Vallaud-Belkacem justvaluesfamilyschool I was very shy and reserved, so it was a bit contradictory to get into politics. Najat Vallaud-Belkacem getreservedshypolitics I decided to make a lifetime commitment against social injustices, against inequalities, and that is why I am profoundly from the Left. Najat Vallaud-Belkacem whyi-amleftcommitment By continuing to increase teacher recruitment and training - and ameliorating wages and working conditions - we will be able to shore up the weaknesses of the French education system. Najat Vallaud-Belkacem willtrainingeducationteacher In Europe, we will work towards having a common stance, while in France, we will strengthen our protection for asylum seekers whose lives are in danger because of their sexual orientation. Najat Vallaud-Belkacem willprotectionworkeurope
