Past Event

Our third talk in our Brown bag Seminar Series for this term features John Kotsopoulos, Research Associate at the University of Pretoria , South Africa.. He will be sharing on the topic:” EU-Africa 2.0? The Challenges and Opportunities of Resetting EU-Africa Relations“.

Photo credit: Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung

Abstract

After more than a year of delays marked by tensions and misunderstandings, the European Union and African Union concluded their sixth summit in February 2022. The two organizations have committed to a “renewed partnership” and promised a “A Joint Vision for 2030”, including a range of commitments in areas such as public health, trade, investment and security. Does this represent a new beginning? What has really changed? The purpose of this brown bag lunch presentation is to take stock of these commitments in light of the long-standing and persistent asymmetries between the two sides, as well as in the context of a global order in profound flux.

The presentation will explore the shifting dynamics between the main actors involved in the renewal of EU-Africa relations (e.g. the EU, the AU and the Organization of African, Caribbean and Pacific States), revealing some of the intra-European and intra-African tensions about the future direction of the larger relationship. The conclusion is that, while Europe’s status has waned, and forms of African agency have increased, lack of cohesion – and sometimes will — on either side has made plotting a completely new course difficult.

About

John Kotsopoulos is the acting head of the Foresight Unit at Global Affairs Canada. He is also a Research Associate at the University of Pretoria (South Africa). John holds a PhD in International Relations (University of Kent) with a focus on negotiation dynamics between the European Union and African Union. He has research interests in North-South relations, African international relations and foreign policy analysis. John also holds Master’s degrees from the London School of Economics and Carleton University. Dr Kotsopoulos writes and speaks in his personal capacity.