Belgium – Contribution of Salesian Vocational Training to Europe-Africa partnership

06 October 2020

(ANS - Brussels) - The Covid-19 pandemic in recent months has upset the agenda of many organizations, including governmental ones. The leaders of the European Union and the African Union were due to meet in Brussels from 28 to 30 October to renew the political, economic and cultural partnership between the two continents. In view of this appointment, "Don Bosco International" (DBI), together with other NGOs, has prepared an initiative aimed at fostering the role of local communities in promoting resilience and human security, in the context of this partnership. Given the postponement of this appointment to a date to be set in 2021, DBI and the other six promoting organizations have decided to organize an information and awareness-raising event, which will be held in the form of a webinar on October 15th.

The event, which will be broadcast with simultaneous translation in English and French, is entitled: “Fostering Human Security and Resilience in the future EU-Africa partnership: the role of local communities.” It aims to offer a platform for a dialogue between civil society, religious and faith-based actors from Africa and Europe, together with representatives of the European Union institutions, and will allow European stakeholders to listen directly to the voice of local African actors.

The stories of the African protagonists will show how local faith-based actors and communities can bring added-value to the initiatives undertaken in the framework of EU-Africa relations.

The stories that will be presented will try to have different dimensions and perspectives of the concepts of resilience and human security emerge. The Salesian partners of this initiative have been entrusted with the task of deepening the role of education. Samuel Mwangi, a former student of the Vocational Training of Don Bosco Boys Town, part of the "Don Bosco Tech Africa" ​​network, will talk about how the education he received strengthened his resilience, leading him to become an entrepreneur in the mechanical sector in just a few years.

Furthermore, this testimony will make it possible to highlight how vocational training can become an important pillar in the collaboration between the two continents. Don Bosco Tech Africa, in fact, is the main African partner of the SAAM - Supporting Alliance for African Mobility pilot project. The project, funded by the European Union and also supported by the African Union, aims to build collaborations between the actors of VET in European and African countries.

The project, which started in 2020, has been slowed down by the pandemic, but will soon see mobility flows between Europe and Africa for the first teachers. If the pilot project is successful, it could be a pioneering experience that would pave the way for a sort of "Erasmus project" in vocational training between Europe and Africa.

Along with this story, webinar attendees will be able to hear five other testimonies from local actors from Africa. At the end of the meeting, several European policy-makers will speak and the organizers will also select some questions for a dialogue with participants and guests in the webinar's final session.

To participate you need to register at this address.

InfoANS

ANS - “Agenzia iNfo Salesiana” is a on-line almost daily publication, the communication agency of the Salesian Congregation enrolled in the Press Register of the Tibunal of Rome as n 153/2007.

This site also uses third-party cookies to improve user experience and for statistical purposes. By scrolling through this page or by clicking on any of its elements, you consent to the use of cookies. To learn more or to opt out, click "Further Information".