The existing multilateral order is under increasing pressure amid shifting political, economic and military balances. These geopolitical changes also reverberate in African-European relations. Various African countries have criticised the current state of multilateralism for perpetuating global power imbalances. This criticism is also echoed in the higher education sector, with active discussions and concrete, actionable measures aimed at fostering equitable partnerships. The opportunities of equitable African-European partnerships in research and higher education, as well as the role of science diplomacy as a facilitator, will be explored at the KIWi Policy Talk titled (How) can African-European science diplomacy promote equitable partnerships?, organised in collaboration with the Berlin University Alliance.

Questions to be discussed include: 

• How can European science diplomacy evolve to address criticisms concerning global structural power imbalances and foster equitable partnerships?

• What practical approaches and strategies can be implemented to enhance African-European academic collaboration?

• What opportunities could emerge for African-European academic collaboration as the USA continue to scale back their science diplomacy efforts while chinese and russian initiatives increase?

• Which areas of higher education, capacity building, mobility and research are likely to foster fruitful and mutually beneficial partnerships? How can such partnerships be cultivated effectively at different institutional levels?