Rabat, Morocco
Partners: Institut Montaigne & Policy Center for the New South
Chatham House Panel Discussion – By invitation only
Description :
Policy Center for the New South (PCNS) will be hosting a seminar on Monday 11th March to discuss the future of the ACP-EU Partnership Agreement, signed in Cotonou in 2000, and expected to conclude in 2020. With negotiations on its successor about to start, PCNS is partnering up with the French think-thank “Institut Montaigne” to work on a roadmap to define the priorities that will guide the future partnership between the European Union and African countries. This panel discussion will be an opportunity to present and debate these ideas with renowned experts from Africa and Europe and generate an exchange of opinions and views with a specific a focus on two specific policy issues: migration and trade.
Skeleton Agenda
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09:00 - 09:15
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Welcome Coffee
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09:15 - 09:30
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Introductory Remarks
Morning Session: A Shared Future: Reinventing the Economic Partnership between Africa and Europe
Europe and Africa have enjoyed privileged cooperation relationships since 1963 through the partnership between the EU and ACP countries. The Cotonou Agreement, signed in 2000, is the latest of a series of conventions that govern EU-ACP relations. However, both its vertical logic (from Europe to ACP countries) and its main objective (development aid) are no longer fit for purpose. New actors have emerged on the global stage, while Europe and Africa’s demographic and political challenges have shifted. As a post-Cotonou agreement is currently being negotiated, it is time to propose a "New Africa-Europe Partnership"; one that is more geographically-focused, oriented by sectors, and aimed at achieving fewer but true priority objectives for the two continents, in a positive sum game perspective for both parties.
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09:30 - 11:00
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Industrialization in Africa: The Rise of Tomorrow’s Giant
Key Policy Questions:
• How can agriculture and agribusiness become a pillar of Africa’s industrialization process?
• Could we imagine a common agricultural policy between the EU and the AU?
• Can Europe offer an alternative to emerging countries industrial projects in Africa?
• How can African giants emerge in the industrial sector?
• What role should the private and public sectors play in Africa’s industrialization process?
• What should be the support mechanism for integrating African SMEs into European production networks ?
• What could be Europe’s role in Africa’s industrialization?
• How could industrial value chains be integrated between the two continents?
• How should we mobilize innovative financing instruments for green industrialization in Africa?
• Could we imagine a triangular cooperation between Africa, Europe and China?
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11:30 - 13:00
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Coffee Break
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13:00 - 14:30
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Afternoon Session: Migration: The Cornerstone of the New Europe-Africa Partnership?
The issue of migration lies at the heart of Europe-Africa relations. Africa is experiencing exponential demographic growth, with a population expected to reach 2.5 billion by the year 2050. While migration coming from the continent spurs heated debates in Europe, it also constitutes, for some European countries, the rationale for a renewed partnership with Africa. Both continents need to build on this shared issue to strengthen their ties in order to solve one of the most pressing challenges impacting them both: creating jobs for Africa’s growing population.
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14:30 - 16:00
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Creating Jobs to Meet the Demographic Challenge
Key Policy Questions:
• What should be the long-term solutions to migratory pressure? How can we revitalize the migration/development nexus?
• How to manage the dual challenge of intra-African migration and migration to Europe?
• How can we make job creation the priority of the new partnership between Africa and Europe?
• How could the private sector be involved in job-creating activities? What should be the role of Europe in this perspective?
• How could new technologies be a driver of growth and job creation in Africa?
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16:00 - 16:30
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Coffee Break
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16:30 - 18:00
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Education at the Center of the Europe-Africa Partnership
Key Policy Questions:
• Towards a Euro-African Erasmus program?
• How can we build a common approach to training?
• Should Europe multiply visas for African students?
• How can we foster increased cooperation between African and European universities?
• What should be done to stimulate cooperation in research and innovation for development of education and health systems?
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18:00 - 18:30
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Conclusion: Prospects for a Renewed Europe-Africa Partnership
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