COMECE and its partners invite you to join the conference “Africa-EU partnership of equals: how can we get there? Is the Global Gateway fit for purpose?”, to be held at the European Parliament (Brussels, Room ASP-1G369) on Tuesday 7 March 2023 from 11:15 to 13:00 (CET). Online participation is also available. Programme (EN – FR) | Register now!
In the context of the 6th AU-EU Summit, African and European civil society, including faith-based as well as Church actors, have continued to highlight the need for a more balanced partnership between Africa and Europe.
The aspiration to build a ‘partnership of equals’ has been a longstanding one, but the benchmarks of this equality are yet to be defined. How much progress has been made so far? And is the “future of the EU’s development cooperation” going to help pave the way towards a balanced partnership with Africa?
Since the announcement of the Global Gateway in late 2021, African and European civil society, alongside members of the European Parliament, have raised pertinent questions about its funding, transparency, governance structure, and dependence on traditional business models.
The event to be held at the European Parliament (room ASP-1G369) on Tuesday 7 March 2023 from 11:15 to 13:00 (CET) will offer a space for frank, respectful and constructive dialogue amongst stakeholders with different perspectives on the Global Gateway’s strategy.
Such dialogue is of relevance as the EU moves forward with implementing the Global Gateway Africa Investment Package and in light of the upcoming AU-EU ministerial meeting in Spring 2023.
The conference is co-organised by COMECE, ACT Alliance EU, AEFJN, Baha’i Community International, Caritas Europa, CIDSE, Don Bosco International, EU-CORD and World Vision EUREP. It is co-hosted by MEPs Saskia Bricmont and Carlos Zorrinho.
Due to the limited seats for physical attendance, we invite you to register. Online participation is also available. EN-FR interpretation is available to online participants only. Registration is mandatory.
Among the panelists: Floris Faber (moderator); Fr. Manuel Barrios Prieto (COMECE); MEPs Saskia Bricmont and Carlos Zorrinho; Chiara Adamo (DG INTPA, Strategic Partnerships with Africa and with the ACP); Ivano Casella (DG TRADE, African, Caribbean and Pacific, Overseas Countries and Territories; Claire Améyo Quenum (Alliance for Food Sovereignty in Africa; Lucy Esipila (Caritas Africa Advocacy Officer); Masaidio Kalenga (Kimanya-Ngeyo Foundation for Science and Education).
Registration | Programme (EN – FR)
Tuesday 7 March 2023 | 11:15-13:00 (CET)
European Parliament, Brussels (Room ASP-1G369)
