What does a more equal partnership between African Partners and the Netherlands look like? On 23 November KIT is hosting a debate on the Dutch Africa Strategy, organised by Vice Versa Global and co-hosted by Amref University in Nairobi.

The Dutch Africa Strategy

Given the significant shifts in global geopolitical relations, it has become essential to foster enhanced collaboration with Africa. That is why the Dutch government presented its Africa Strategy 2023-2032 earlier this year. The strategy aims to establish a stable, peaceful, and secure neighbouring continent by working together with African nations.

The strategy states that cooperation with Africa will take place on equal terms, more than in the past. To ensure equality, we must understand each other’s positions, concentrate on the relationship, and seek cooperation based on our mutual interests.

Equal partnerships

But what does equality actually mean in concrete terms for policy implementation by governments, knowledge institutions, and civil society? What does the Africa strategy mean concretely for your work, both on the African and Dutch sides?

These questions will be discussed during the first interactive public discussion about the Dutch Africa strategy. The programme will be varied, switching between live locations in Nairobi and Amsterdam, as well as other locations in Africa. 

Discussions and speakers

The event will feature conversations with Maarten Brouwer (ambassador in Nairobi), Nerima Wako (Siasa Place) Bitania Lulu Berhanu (Youth in Action, AMREF), Mohamed Almas (VSO, Challenge Fund for Youth Employment), and an intervention by our KIT colleague Nicola Francesconi.

There will also be a round of short video’s by young Africans from various African countries explaining how the strategy will affect their work, with reactions from the live audiences, cultural intermezzo’s and much more. 

The event will conclude with a reflection by Jelte van Wieren (Head of Africa Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs) and Olaoluwa Abagun (human rights lawyer and expert on equality, diversity and inclusion who works as a knowledge manager at the INCLUDE Secretariat).

Redefining Relations is an initiative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, AMREF, KIT Royal Tropical Institute, INCLUDE, Prisma,  VSO, Vice Versa, and Vice Versa Global.