Activities

AFAX realises its objectives through three sets of activities: building and sustaining a diaspora network, advocacy and capacity building. 

Sustaining an african diaspora network in the Benelux area

Under this activity, it strives to build and sustain a network of african professionals in the diaspora at the Benelux level. In addition to maintaining a database of these professionals, it organises activities that would foster interaction among this group as well as with the wider public (non-african community and representatives of African governments in Brussels). These include:

• information sharing activities:

  • monthly email bulletins that provides news, events and other activities  of interest to the community

  • maintenance of this web site to serve as a medium for providing targeted information of importance to the community

• Networking activities

  • organisation of workshops and conferences on a regular basis to discuss issues of concern to the community

  • organisation, on a yearly basis, of a “Diaspora investment and skills transfer forum” – DiaForum - during which members of the community are provided with the opportunity to meet with key economic, social and political leaders of Europe and Africa.

Advocacy activities

Under this activity, it strives to mainstream the perspectives of Africans in the diaspora on issues of impact to Africa that are the basis for public debate in Europe and for policy making at the European Union level. It advocates for policies and processes that benefit Africans in the continent and in the diaspora.

Through our advocacy activities, we raise awareness of issues of vital importance that are being neglected and provide input to public debate and policy formulation on those under consideration.

 Our advocacy activities are realised through:

• organisation of public seminars and events to stimulate public & international awareness / debate about African policy issues and to positively influence the climate of opinion

• Scheduling of briefings by key representatives of national, international and other multilateral  organisations (European Union, World Bank, ACP, Africa Union, representatives of African governments on diplomatic or commercial mission to the EU) on Africa-focused issues.

• Publication of AFAX News – a quarterly bulletin providing reports and appraisals of what has been happening at the EU with regard to Africa.  The bulletin also covers other international developments that have an impact on EU-Africa relations.

                                                     View some of our past advocacy activities>>>

Capacity building activities

Through our capacity building activities, the organisation strives to serve as a platform that is used by members of the diaspora and other well-meaning groups and indiduals to contribute to the development prospects of the continent. These include:

• making available to the community information on investment, career and consulting opportunities at both the private and public sector level in Africa.

• providing assistance in the realisation of investment in and/or knowledge and skills transfer projects to Africa.

• facilitating the establishment of partnering relationships between African and European private and public institutions.

                                                    view some of our past capacity building activities >>>