As part of its internationalization strategy, the Alliance 4 Universities, an association of four Spanish public universities -the Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB), the Autonomous University of Madrid (UAM), Carlos III University of Madrid (UC3M) and Pompeu Fabra University of Barcelona (UPF), seeks to consolidate its relations with African universities. Split into four days organized between October and December that can be followed online, the first A-4U Debate Season “Reshaping the Dialogue with Contemporary African Worlds” will host African and European researchers and academics to discuss four key topics dealing with the present and future of Africa, such as feminism, migration, climate change and African culture. The event, which targets the university community but is also open to the general public, is supported by the ICEX.

The four themes chosen reflect a desire to highlight the vitality and drive of the African continent from an African perspective in four specific areas, chosen for their current impact: African Women on the Move; What can Africa tell us about Migration?; Securing Food Production in a Climate Change Environment; and Whose Culture? Cultural appropriation and Repatriation in Africa.

The four themes chosen reflect a desire to highlight the vitality and drive of the African continent from an African perspective

The inaugural session on 20 October, African Women on the Move, will involve Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, former president of Liberia and Nobel Peace Prize winner, and Mª Teresa Fernández de la Vega, chair of the Fundació Dones x Àfrica (Women for Africa Foundation).

The four sessions have the same structure: the first part by a speaker who will introduce the topic of the debate and the second in which a round table will be held, both open to questions from the audience.

The four days will enjoy the presence of personalities and researchers of international prestige and a team of moderators with extensive experience in the African continent: La Vanguardia correspondent in Africa and author of several books on the continent, Xavier Aldekoa, an alumni of one of the universities of the A-4U who, as a journalist, has covered multiple conflicts and social issues in over fifty African countries; and the journalist and writer Agus Morales, director of Revista 5W, which deals with international information, who is a regular contributor to The New York Times.

Calendar of the debate season:

• Wednesday, 20 October, 10:30 am - 1:30 pm - African Women on the Move
• Tuesday, 26 October, 10:30 am - 1:30 pm - What can Africa tell us about Migration?
• Thursday, 25 November, 10:30 am - 1:30 pm - Securing Food Production in a Climate Change Environment
• Wednesday, 1 December, 10:30 am - 1:30 pm - Whose Culture? Cultural appropriation and Repatriation in Africa

The sessions will be held partly on campus (limited capacity) at the A-4U university in charge of coordinating the event and online via Zoom in English. Participants and online attendees will receive a link to connect to the Zoom platform. It will also be broadcast live on the A-4U YouTube channel.