Topics
EurAfrican 2018
TIME FOR TRUST.
Trust is the single most essential element to build strong partnerships capable of delivering enduring results and a sustainable future for all. Africa and Europe are bound by strong mutual ties but their ability to work together is hampered by legacy issues from the colonial past, mutual prejudices and ignorance. Greater trust between governments, businesses and individuals, both within and among our countries, is needed to deliver on the collective ambition and on the potential of our two continents. The first edition of the Forum is a call to action to reinvigorate and mobilize a generation of trustworthy, committed, authentic and ethical leaders able to empower people through their actions. How can we build trust among ourselves to enable us to work together more effectively towards a shared and prosperous future? How can we empower youth, build entrepreneurial skills and harness the potential of future generations?
HOW WILL INFRASTRUCTURE AND RESOURCE SHARING CREATE A “MULTIPLIER EFFECT”?
Rethinking resource pooling between Europe and Africa would enable the unlocking of previously inaccessible sources of capital, cost-reduction and the transfer of skills, technology and innovation between businesses. Some of Africa’s major infrastructure and energy projects are cross-border and therefore include multiple stakeholders, agendas, processes and governance structures. In order to ensure that infrastructure and resource pooling contribute to creating a multiplier effect in Africa, coordination between stakeholders is needed. How can we clearly define roles and responsibilities of private and public stakeholders on both, regional and international levels, to ensure efficient decision-making? How can regional integration accelerate the creation of regional champions?
CATALYZING THE PROMISE OF THE FOURTH INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION: TIME FOR CONCRETE ACTION.
Today, the world is undergoing a Fourth Industrial Revolution that is disrupting all sectors of the economy. Both Europe and Africa have a role to play in adapting their economies and their societies to this new wave of change. While previous industrial revolutions were rather sector-specific, today’s transformation is inclusive. In order to fully benefit from the potential of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, we need to adopt a new holistic, long-term approach to development. From poverty and climate change, to drones and artificial intelligence, all challenges must be addressed simultaneously and interdependently. How can Africa and Europe work together to embrace this new disruptive and inclusive phenomenon? How can this new model of development accelerate Africa and Europe’s fight against climate change?
REBALANCING THE EURAFRICAN GEOGRAPHIES: THE ROLE OF THE INFLUENCE DIASPORA.
The growing flux of people, resources, culture, money and data between Africa and Europe will increase the shared space between them. EurAfrican geographies represent shared cross-border networks going beyond physical frontiers to encompass Europe and Africa’s most valuable physical and human resources. The diaspora is at the very heart of EurAfrican geographies, constituting a core link between people and places. What role can the influence diaspora play in rebalancing and advancing EurAfrican geographies? How can Eurafrican geographies contribute to a promoting a shared growth? How can Europe and Africa work together to bridge the skills gap and create new jobs? How can we mobilize youth and technology to promote entrepreneurship?
Speakers & Contributors
