The Heads of State and Government of the Member States of the African Union (AU) and the European Union (EU) met in February 2022 for the 6th EU-AU Summit. Its final declaration ‘Two Unions, a joint vision’ attempts to relaunch the interregional partnership, which is marked by deep historical, political, economic and security connections. This international conference will explore the common challenges and opportunities for Africa-EU relations in the areas of sustainable development, culture, security, and social interactions by bringing together senior policymakers, civil society and academics. It will discuss the multiple recalibrations in global governance, including the growing international interest in Africa by actors such as China, US, Turkey, and Russia, to assess to what extent the AU and EU are building a partnership that is future-proof and capable of bridging policy divides.
Program
12:00 - Lunch Reception
12:45 - Welcome and Introduction to the Conference, by Prof. Jan Wouters, KU Leuven
13:00 - Keynote by H.E. Mrs. Sena Siaw-Boateng, Ambassador of the Republic of Ghana to Belgium, Luxembourg, and the Mission to the European Union
Short reaction by Prof. Zdzisław Mach, Jagellonian University Krakow
13:30-14:30 | Panel 1 | Aligning Development, Climate, Trade and Culture in Africa-EU Relations
Moderator: Prof. Meriem Agrebi, Université de Carthage
Prof. Marleen Dekker, African Studies Centre, Leiden University
Mr. Koen Doens, Director General of DG for International Partnerships, European Commission
Prof. Olga Kisseleva, University of Paris 1 Sorbonne
Prof. Hezron Makundi, University of Dar es Salaam
Prof. Shumey Berhie Teshome, University of Addis Ababa
14:50-15:50 | Panel 2 | Peace, Security and Human Rights in Africa-EU Relations
Moderator: Prof. Łucja Piekarska-Duraj, Jagiellonian University Krakow
Prof. Riham Bahi, Cairo University
Ms. Rita Laranjinha, Director for Africa, European External Action Service
Prof. Roch Mongbo, Université d'Abomey-Calavi
Prof. Ukertor Moti, University of Abuja
Ms. Lisa Musiol, Senior EU Research and Advocacy Analyst, International Crisis Group
16:20-17:20 | Panel 3 | Challenges and Opportunities for Africa-EU Relations in Global Governance
Moderator: Prof. Christopher Nshimbi, University of Pretoria
Prof. Nadine Abdalla, The American University in Cairo
Dr. Petra Debusscher, University of Ghent
Mr. Geert Laporte, European Centre for Development Policy Management (ECDPM)
17:40 - Recalibrating EU-Africa Relations
Keynote by H.E. Ms Tokozile Xasa, Ambassador of the Republic of South Africa to Belgium, Luxembourg, and the Mission to the European Union
Chaired by Prof. Patrick Develtere, KU Leuven
Short reaction by H. E. Johan Swinnen, Honorary Ambassador for Belgium and Goodwill Ambassador for PAES - Platform for Africa-European Studies
18:15 - Conference Reception