Campus Africa brought forward the celebration of Mandela Day with a conference by political scientist Sami Naïr, focusing on the migratory challenges between Africa and Europe. The event took place on Tuesday, 16 July, in a session that combined political analysis, philosophical reflection and defence of co-development as a path to a fairer Euro-African society.
José Gómez Soliño, on behalf of the management of Campus Africa, opened the meeting by recalling the legacy of Nelson Mandela in the defence of human rights. Pedro González, representative of the Cabildo of Tenerife, praised the exemplary attitude of the Canarian people in the face of migratory movements, highlighting their "constant solidarity". Rector Francisco García underlined the value of the programme as an engine of knowledge and cooperation with Africa.
During his speech, Naïr, creator of the concept of co-development and director of the Andalusian Mediterranean Centre, defended the strategic role of the Canary Islands as a laboratory of coexistence between continents. "Europe is observing what is happening here", he pointed out, warning that the response of solidarity will mark the future of the Islands as a humanist reference or as a space stained by indifference.
The political scientist denounced the widespread ignorance about Africa and criticised the alarmist narrative that associates migration with invasion. According to his data, only 3% of African migrants arrive in Europe, while the majority remain on the continent. He rejected the ethnic and cultural instrumentalisation of the migration phenomenon, fuelled by far-right discourses.
Naïr warned of Europe's ageing population and called for inclusive migration policies to strengthen public systems. He warned of the risk of privatisation and exclusion if we do not act with an inclusive vision. In the face of this, he defended the need to confront hate speeches and to design common strategies with Africa that are committed to employment, youth and sustainability.
Campus Africa, which this year welcomes 54 scholarship holders from Senegal and Cape Verde, continues to offer spaces open to the public to encourage exchange and reflection. The closing ceremony is scheduled for 25 July at the Real Sociedad Económica de Amigos del País de Tenerife.
Full programme in the official website
Source: ULL