The Department of Political Science and International Relations of the University of Peloponnese was selected by the European Commission as a coordinating partner, as well as an implementing and managing body, in the framework of the Jean Monnet Policy Debate: “Foreign Policy Issues: European Union-Africa”. The title of the 36-month project involving universities and research institutions from 33 countries (24 directly and 9 as partner institutions, 27 from Africa, 5 from Europe and 1 from China) is:
“AfriquEurope: the European Union and Africa in a world of multiple crises”.
The project’s Scientific Coordinator is Professor Asteris Houliaras.
Recent geopolitical developments have highlighted the critical need to strengthen EU-Africa relations and improve understanding between the two continents that share many common interests and many economic interactions.
A large-scale geopolitical competition is taking place in Africa, on the doorstep of Europe. Some international actors involved in the ‘wooing’ of African regimes pay little attention to international law, human rights, fair trade or the rules of healthy competition.
The AfriquEurope network aims to support the EU’s effort to redefine its partnership with Africa at this critical moment, while supporting closer cooperation between the two continents.
With partners and collaborators in 33 countries representing all regions of Africa, including French-, English- and Portuguese-speaking countries, AfriquEurope will be the largest intercontinental research network of European and African universities and support groups supported by the EU in the current period. The project:
It will reach out to countries and organisations that are not yet familiar with the Jean Monnet programme.
It will conduct joint research and knowledge exchange to inform policy-making in both the EU and the African Union.
AfriquEurope will organise 12 thematic conferences, each of which will lead to the writing of a policy proposal document.
It will provide policymakers with a monthly e-newsletter with analysis from both academic researchers and think tanks, in consultation with seven African and European advocacy groups.
The research will be carried out by 10 research teams, each with a specific focus on the understanding, relevance and impact of strengthening EU-Africa cooperation.
It will also produce a collective volume of selected texts from a prestigious international publisher on Europe-Africa relations.
Finally and most importantly, AfriquEurope, as the world order is being reshaped, is dedicated to a mutually reinforcing dialogue between Europe and Africa to deepen ties and create evidence-based solutions for policy makers on both sides of the Mediterranean.
(Interactive map of partners and afilliated think tanks – click on pin to visit corresponding websites)
