Campus Africa 2025 has kicked off in La Laguna with a firm purpose: to dismantle the clichés surrounding African migration. Under the slogan "African migrations: myths, realities and challenges", the international programme will be held from 12 to 25 July and will bring together more than fifty experts who will address the migration phenomenon from multiple perspectives: social, political, economic and bio-health.
The inaugural event took place on Sunday 14th in the auditorium of the University of La Laguna. Carlos Lopes, economist and high representative of the African Union for relations with Europe, was in charge of opening the series of conferences. In his speech, he defended a de-stigmatising vision of migration, which he described as an "inevitable factor of change" for both sides of the Atlantic.
The vice-president of the Cabildo of Tenerife, Lope Afonso, highlighted the institution's commitment to this initiative. Afonso pointed out that Campus Africa places the island as a "bridge of dialogue between Africa and Europe" and stressed the need to "humanise the migratory story to combat prejudices and understand the phenomenon from an academic and empathetic point of view".
The programme, promoted by the University of La Laguna and the Canary Islands Foundation for the Control of Tropical Diseases, includes conferences, round tables and cultural activities. Among the most important events are the participation, on 16 July, of the Congolese activist Nicole Ndongala and the French-Algerian political scientist Sami Naïr, who will speak during the celebration of Mandela Day.
The island's director of External Action, Pedro González, highlighted the strategic value of Campus Africa. In his opinion, the programme not only offers high-level training, but also strengthens the ties between the Canary Islands and the neighbouring continent. "We share challenges, opportunities and an Atlantic vocation that we must continue to cultivate," he said.
Campus Africa is supported by the Cabildo de Tenerife, the Government of the Canary Islands and the City Council of La Laguna, as well as entities such as Casa África, CajaCanarias, Binter and Loro Parque. The regional government has allocated a grant of 100,000 euros and more than 40 scholarships have been awarded to African students. The closing ceremony will be held on 25 July at the Real Sociedad Económica de Amigos del País de Tenerife.
Source: Cabildo de Tenerife