S&D Africa Days kick off as we renew our partnership with African progressive forces to shape our common future | Socialists and Democrats
The Socialists and Democrats are kicking off their sixth edition of Africa Days. A fully-fledged two-day event dedicated to EU-Africa relations bringing together leading progressive politicians and. . .
The Socialists and Democrats are kicking off their sixth edition of Africa Days. A fully-fledged two-day event dedicated to EU-Africa relations bringing together leading progressive politicians and representatives from governments, trade unions and the civil society who will join us from 30 June to 1 July, to discuss and outline our common future. The Africa Days provide a space for genuine dialogue on the future of cooperation between the two continents, recognising African partners as political, economic and social actors with their own priorities, solutions and aspirations. Together, participants will address shared challenges such as economic and social empowerment, tax justice, financial system reforms or green industrialisation. Discussions will focus on strengthening African agency, amplifying the voices of those driving change on the ground, and delivering on our calls following the European Union-African Union Summit organised in Luanda (Angola) last November. We will engage in rich political debates with representatives from the South African, Ghanaian, and German governments, local government in Tunisia, as well as the International Trade Union Confederation and the European Trade Union Confederation. We will put young African participants at the centre of our conversations and challenge people’s vision of Africa with the Talk show ‘Africa is not a country’. In addition, cultural activities and a musical performance commemorating the 66th anniversary of the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s independence will take place. Thetwo-day eventwill be live streamed on theS&D Group’s websiteand via its social media channels. Iratxe Garcia Pérez, S&D President, said:“Europe and Africa have a unique opportunity to build a partnership that is not only strategic, but truly transformative. By placing people at the heart of our cooperation, we can advance social justice, create decent jobs, accelerate the green and digital transitions, and strengthen a multilateral system that is more representative, more effective and more responsive to the challenges of our time. It also means defending human dignity in all our policies, including migration. “Our shared future will be shaped not by division, but by our ability to work together as equal partners, guided by solidarity, mutual respect and a common commitment to sustainable development. ”Udo Bullmann, S&D coordinator in the development committee, said:“At a moment when global politics is becoming increasingly transactional and short-sighted, we strive to stand out as the political force consistently pushing for a genuine and long-term relationship with Africa. One based on mutual respect, understanding and shared prosperity. “While others increasingly reduce Africa to a security and migration debate or to a territory for extractive investments, we aim to listen to emerging voices, reflect their demands and ensure their perspectives feed into the European political space. It’s true that the recent EU-AU summit in Luanda marked an important step forward in boosting EU-Africa relations, but the future of EU-Africa relations cannot be shaped exclusively within institutions or traditional centres of power. “Across the continent and within African diasporas in Europe, women, young people, grassroots organisations, workers, and cultural actors are driving social and political transformation. Their experiences and ambitions must play a central role in shaping the future of the partnership between our continents. That is what we aim to achieve on a sustained basis through our exchanges with progressive movements during the Africa Days. ”