Ahead of the event, European Commissioner for International Cooperation and Development Neven Mimica said: "Education lies at the heart of development. Investing in skills is crucial to provide people, especially the youth, with decent jobs and future perspectives. Reinforcing a mutually beneficial partnership between Africa and Europe in the field of higher education is key to sustainable economic growth and long-term prosperity."

Fostering African-European cooperation in the field of higher education is the goal of the joint conference, which will highlight the role of education in responding to the demands of the younger generation. Strengthening collaboration, mobility and exchange between scientists and students of the two continents lies at the heart of the objectives of the Africa-Europe Alliance for Sustainable Investment and Jobs, which complements the long-standing political partnership between the two continents and aims to deepen economic and trade relations in an alliance of equals.

Background

The Africa-Europe Alliance for Sustainable Investment and Jobs was launched in September 2018 in order to deepen the EU’s economic and trade relationship with Africa through investment and job creation. One of the Alliance’s key objectives is investment in education and matching skills and jobs.

Just over a year after launch, the Alliance has delivered on advancing cooperation on education and skills to improve employability in Africa and provide youth with opportunities to make a decent living. By the end of 2019, over 26,000 incoming students and staff in Africa will have received funding for Erasmus+ mobility programmes. Additionally, 450 000 Africans have benefitted from vocational education and training supported by the EU since 2014.

For More Information

Livestreams of the opening and closing sessions

The Africa-Europe Alliance