Network on Europe-Africa Relations – Education and Research

ongoing

NEAR-ER (Network on Europe-Africa Relations – Education and Research) brings together 20 HEIs from Europe (7) and Africa (13) with the shared goal of advancing a broad and well-informed conversation on EU-Africa relations by collecting, reviewing, debating, and disseminating innovative research and education materials. The network will establish a systematic process for collecting up-to-date and innovative materials that will empower our partners to deepen their own research and education agendas and promote well-founded dialogue on EU-Africa relations with all relevant stakeholders. NEAR-ER will benefit from (a) a multi-layer and integrated approach for data collection and peer review that considers local, regional, and global knowledge, both in Africa and Europe; (b) a multi-disciplinary group of scholars with extensive expertise in critical thematic areas, including trade and development, culture and identity, peace and security, migration and demographics, and digital and environmental transitions; and (c) mutual capacity building with a long-term legacy for higher-education in both continents. The network will expand the collection, debate, and dissemination of research and educational resources amongst African and European partners via a carefully constructed set of work packages linked to concrete outputs. Our work plan for interaction and dissemination will offer a website with a regular blog, webinar and podcast series, an open-access edited volume, summer schools, and a regular electronic newsletter with innovative research and education tools on EU-Africa relations. It will generate new knowledge via network-wide discussions and surveys with students and experts in the shape of briefings and reports. In addition, NEAR-ER will enrich dialogues on EU-Africa relations with in-person and online activities, including outreach events and flexible mobility opportunities for scholars in the network to enhance capacity for future research and educational projects.