29.11.2017

November: EU-African Union Summit, what’s in it for Africa?

On occasion of the African Union-European Union Summit in November and Germany's decision to declare 2017 an “Africa-Year”, we bring perspectives by FES and partners from the African continent on key topics of the Summit

Did you know that 80 per cent of total migration flows from African countries happens intra-regionally?

No worry if you didn’t, neither did we. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ But, thanks to our contributors in November, we found out that migration is primarily internal to the African continent, a very important fact for European and African delegates to consider as they meet for the fifth African Union-European Union Summit in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire.

Migration, high on the agenda in Abidjan, is a defining issue for the focus topic the summit takes on investing in African youth, facing unemployment and pushed for poverty and lack of opportunities out of their homes.

But what are the expectations from the summit? And most importantly, how has the political dialogue between Africa and Europe looked like so far and what did it bring about? Is pragmatism taking the front seat, replacing values in the African-European relation calling for good governance and democratic participation?

So, buckle up, readers! In this November issue, in the midst of the Africa-Europe summit, we fly you over the African continent to zoom in on the most current news and updates from Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) and partners. We’d like to showcase the ever-greater importance for political dialogue where the values of freedom, justice and solidarity are part and parcel of any policy and strategy that aims to improve the lives of all.

Don't forget to share and tweet your thoughts and comments on the #EUAU Summit @FESnewsbrief and #NewsbriefTalk!

Your FES Connect Editorial Team

About FES Connect

Connecting people, in the spirit of social democracy, we source and share content in English from the German and international network of the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung.

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