Africans in Europe – sharing the Solidarity Hub experience

We continue to challenge traditional power dynamics and practices. We went to Berlin and convened a Solidarity Hub for European organisations and funders to critically reflect on their own practices of solidarity and social justice. 40 participants from Germany, England, Switzerland, Norway, France, Scotland, Belgium, and Holland shared space with people from Malawi, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Burkina Faso, Kenya, and Mali to interrogate our development practice. The Solidarity Hub centred issues of power in the funding space, took account of the rise of the right wing in Europe, and challenged European organisations to continue to look beyond just funding as the basis for solidarity, but to deepen relationships with partners. The Hub challenged Europeans to reflect on their contributions to struggles for justice in their own contexts too, and to be critical of mainstream development narratives and resist reactionary policies and practices in their own countries.

A brief report on the Hub is almost final and will be shared. In the meantime you can see some of the pictures here.

The next Solidarity Hub is planned for 15-17 October in Johannesburg. A notice will be sent soon in this regard.