The future of Europe-Africa relations – stagnation or innovation?

In a world of shifting global power relations and growing anti-multilateralism, the EU is increasingly challenged to innovate its international role and define its added value. In the past years, the EU has produced ambitious policies and strategies relating to Africa, and an increasing number of EU member states are also taking initiatives to boost investment and development. What seems to be lacking at this stage is a more long-term and integrated vision on the partnership between Europe and Africa.

Beyond the immediate concerns, there is a need to better anticipate the long-term effects of the demographic development in Africa, the environmental and climate change impacts and the governance challenges. Furthermore, there is a worrying reverse trend of shrinking space for civil society and youth and increasing restrictive policies. Similar trends are also visible in other parts of the world, including in some European countries.

What could the role of the EU be in a rapidly changing global order with increasing trends towards anti-multilateralism? How to build a stronger political Europe-Africa partnership beyond the North-South aid relationship of the past? How to stimulate more inclusive policies that can tackle the growing inequalities and frustrations of the younger generations?

Keynote speaker:
Geert Laporte, Deputy Director of the European Centre for Development Policy Management (ECDPM) in Brussels

Discussants:
Robert Backlund, Special Advisor at the Africa Department, Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs
Malin Brenk, Regional Manager for Africa at Kvinna till Kvinna

Moderator:
Lennart Wohlgemuth, Board Member of the Swedish Development Forum (FUF)

The seminar is held in English.