Much has been made of the recent rise of East Asian economic ties with and investment in Africa. However, the extent to which East Asian countries are viewed as models from which other developing countries may wish to borrow has received comparatively less attention. Yet there are signs that many countries, particularly in Africa, see countries such as China, South Korea, Malaysia and Singapore as important sources of lessons. Last year, the G20 drafted the “Seoul Development Consensus”, while others have frequently spoken of a “Beijing Consensus” or a “Singapore Model”. To what extent do these ideas really represent a change in the way development is done in Africa? How should the EU respond to this debate?
This half-day seminar, organised by the University of Kent’s Brussels School of International Studies, seeks to provoke a lively discussion around these key questions. It will bring together representatives from East Asian and African governments, European donors and civil society. It thereby seeks to provide a bridge between academic and policy discussions in this emerging area of research.
Outline Programme
14:00 – 14:10 Welcome by Prof Roger Vickerman (Dean, University of Kent’s Brussels campus)
14:10 – 14:30 Keynote speech: Dr. Obadiah Mailafia (Chief of Cabinet, ACP Group of States)
14:30 – 16:15 Panel Session and Audience Discussion
Chair:
- Dr. Tugba Basaran (Lecturer, BSIS)
Speakers:
- Mr Philippe Darmuzey (Head of Africa-EU Partnership and Peace Facility Unit, EuropeAid)
- Ms. Elsje Fourie (Visiting Researcher, BSIS). An outline of her presentation can be found here.
- Dr Duncan Freeman (Senior Researcher at Brussels Institute for Contemporary China Studies)
- Mr Mohamed Igueh Ofleh (Chief Economist, Mission of African Union to the EU)
- Mr Niu Xiaogiang (Second Secretary, Mission of China to the EU)
16:15 – 16.20 Closing and acknowledgements by Elsje Fourie