The latest geopolitical developments have highlighted a crucial need to enhance EU-Africa relations and to improve understanding between two continents who share many common interests and enjoy many economic complementarities.
A large-scale scramble for Africa is taking place at Europe's doorstep. Most hegemons involved in courting African regimes pay little attention to international law, human rights, equitable trade or fair competition rules.
The aim of the AfriquEurope Network is to support the EU's effort to recalibrate its partnership with Africa at this critical time, whilst advocating closer cooperation between the two continents. With partners and associates in 33 countries, and a wide range of partners representative of all regions of Africa, including Francophone, Anglophone and Lusophone countries, AfriquEurope will be the largest transcontinental research network of European and African universities and advocacy groups. It will reach countries and organisations not yet familiar with the Jean Monnet Programme. It will carry out joint research and knowledge exchange with a view to informing policy making in both the EU and the African Union.
AfriquEurope will organise 12 Thematic Events, each leading to a policy paper written. It will provide policymakers with a monthly e-newsletter with short policy briefs and analyses from both academic and think tank researchers in consultation with seven African and European advocacy groups.
Research will be carried out by 10 teams each with a specific focus relevant to the understanding, relevance and implications of enhancing collaboration between the EU and Africa. It will also provide a select volume on Europe-Africa relations.
Finally, and most importantly, as the global order is being reshaped, AfriquEurope is dedicated to a mutually reinforcing dialogue between Europe and Africa with the view of deepening ties and crafting evidence-informed solutions for policy makers on both sides of the Mediterranean.
