MEPs’ visit highlights importance of knowledge about Global South

At the African Studies Centre, MEP Marit Maij (GL/PvdA), whose work focuses on EU-Africa relations, discussed knowledge collaboration with Africa and how Leiden University puts this into practice. She also addressed how European policy could be better aligned with knowledge drawn from long-standing academic networks with African partners. 

That same day, Younous Omarjee, Vice-President of the European Parliament, visited the International Institute for Asian Studies (IIAS). The visits underline the importance of expertise on languages, cultures and international relations. As Europe increasingly seeks to strengthen its position as an autonomous geopolitical actor, the need to deepen its engagement with regions in the Global South has become more urgent. Issues such as migration, shifting patterns of trade, China’s influence in Africa and dependence on rare resources make such cooperation more essential than ever.

Universities and knowledge institutes have a key role to play: they equip students with an outward-looking understanding of the world and maintain long-term networks with partners in Africa, Asia and Latin America.