Our Mission: Reappraisal– Recognition – Exchanges

Reappraisal

We advocate a (self-)critical reappraisal of African-European history and the overcoming of current power structures and (neo-)colonial patterns of behaviour in all fields, especially in politics, the economy, research, society and culture. We create spaces and public spheres to facilitate self-critical engagement with Europe’s colonial and imperial past and present. We follow a sincere and solidary policy of reconciliation in which we expose injustice and advocate reparations. Our goal is to correct the relations with Africa in such a way as to enable the people of the continent and its Diaspora to develop independently on all levels, and to create a framework in which Africa's resources benefit first and foremost the people in Africa themselves.

Recognition

We contribute towards the Renaissance of the African continent. To this end we support the societies of Africa in their strive to develop their own forms of government and society, based on their own traditions, values and historical experiences and which serve the good of the majority of Africa's societies. Africa's development has been determined externally for far too long. In order to counter this dominant “white expertise” and the reproduction of paternalist and (neo-)colonialist power structures that follows, we create opportunities for African and Diaspora scientists, artists and  political and cultural activists whose structurally underrepresented perspectives we systematically and consistently put at the heart of debates. We oppose the widely practised “speaking about Africa” by ”speaking with Africans and members of its Diaspora”. Our goal is to foster a solidary cooperation which respects and supports the priorities of the people in Africa and its Diaspora.

Exchanges

Intercultural dialogue, cooperation and direct exchanges are for us destination and journey at once. They are not one-way streets: listening, acknowledging and especially learning from African points of view form the basis of our work. Accordingly we strive for increased networking between people, organisations and institutions from Africa, the African Diaspora and Europe. With its different sections AfricAvenir International itself represents such networking and is part of a steadily growing larger network of cooperation partners. Using diverse event formats such as e.g. exhibitions, performances, conferences and dialogue forums we offer various educational platforms for exchange and networking which challenge the audience to learn from the perspectives of Africans and the African Diaspora.