Many people of African origin who live in Baden-Württemberg are actively committed to global responsibility, the 2030 Agenda and diverse partnerships both in Baden-Württemberg and in their countries of origin. After the successful and inspiring opening event and the laying of the foundation stone of the first Africa Forum Baden-Württemberg in 2022, a permanent platform for Afro-diasporic civil society is now to be promoted. The Africa Forum Baden-Württemberg network strives for exchange between all actors, both from state politics, foundations, municipal representations and administration, and would like to strengthen these partnerships and the participation of those committed to global issues in order to also improve the image of Africa Rethink Baden-Württemberg. The Africa Forum Baden-Württemberg network is coordinated jointly by Forum of Cultures e.V. and the SEZ, with the support of the State Ministry of Baden-Württemberg.
We are pleased about your interest in the Africa Forum and cordially invite you to become part of the network. Here you can find out about the planned and past network meetings.
The last network meeting took place on April 06, 2024 at Fair trade fair in Stuttgart. The theme was Change of perspective: Images of Africa reflected in the generations. Established and young voices from the Afrodiaspora shared their personal experiences and encounters with images of Africa and the stereotypical representation of the continent in Baden-Württemberg in living room conversations. Moderated by Faisal Osman (Black Community Foundation Stuttgart eV) have Naemi Mirene Makiadi (Afrokids International eV, ReCollect Collective) and Komlan Batema (KAMA MBOWOU eV) as well as Grace Alele (SIMAMA – STAND UP eV) and Eric Kamguia (Awoli eV) talked together about the diversity and complexity of the African continent. In the discussions, the speakers took the listeners on an intergenerational journey into the past, present and future. Musically, the artist has Akeva! Malayika the event was framed with songs relevant to development policy.
Let us open a new chapter together, write different stories and, on this basis, cultivate equal partnerships that give us all a fairer perspective on the African continent and on us in Baden-Württemberg! Because this is the only way we can overcome global challenges.
On October 27, 2023, a network meeting of the Africa Forum Baden-Württemberg took place as part of the Africa Days in Ludwigsburg. Following the network meeting, the founding of the 1st Pan-African Council of Baden-Württemberg was initiated.
The same images with the same stories: common images of Africa are rightly criticized. Because: Unfortunately, the African continent is often only reported in stereotypes that largely use colonial image patterns.
The story of a benevolent Europe lending a helping hand to a supposedly backward Africa is still often told. It’s high time to change this narrative! Specifically also with regard to the questions: Who makes development policy in Baden-Württemberg? How is the African continent seen in Baden-Württemberg?
The expertise and partnerships to shape this collaboration already exist in Baden-Württemberg. With the 1st Africa Forum Baden-Württemberg For the first time, there was a large stage and the opportunity to redesign collaborations.
The African diaspora plays an important and so far little present role in civil commitment to partnerships with Africa. To shed light on this aspect of cooperation, over 27 people gathered in the Filderhalle in Leinfelden-Echterdingen on October 350th. Another 100 participants from seven different African countries joined in online. The Development Cooperation Foundation (SEZ) and the Forum of Cultures invited the event together with eleven Afrodiaspora organizations that are committed to global sustainability issues and fair partnerships.
Under the motto “Changing the Narrative”, the concentrated development policy expertise of civil society activists, in particular Afrodiasporic organizations and representatives of federal and state politics, came together. They discussed what new directions, approaches, ideas and values global partnerships of the future need and set topics for new narratives.
Dr. Rachid L’Aoufir, Chairman of the African-German Working Group and Transnational Corridors e.V., emphasized: “The Africa Forum activates the potential of African-German civil society. Trust is built between stakeholders. We now need to monetize the knowledge of diaspora actors, strengthen diaspora intermediaries and we need to reach the local level. This is where the sustainability of the diaspora actors’ actions comes into play. The Africa Forum must be institutionalized.”
We can only agree with this, thank everyone who took part and look forward to the next, second Africa Forum Baden-Württemberg. Until then!
Team
support group
History
Board of Trustees
Jobs & Careers
Board of Trustees
Global Commune
Partnership Center
project funding
School and global learning
World:Citizens asked!
Economy
Africa Forum
AMAHORO! State partnership
works!
Act fairly
Fairtrade Schools Campaign BW
Future fashion
Mindchangers
Funded projects
Network map
World Store Directory
SEZ publications
