The Baha’i International Community’s Brussels Office co-hosted a roundtable discussion jointly with the Conference of European Churches, the Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union, and the Quaker Council for European Affairs on the theme, “EU-ACP: Implementing a Partnership Approach.” The dialogue brought together faith-based organizations with policy makers to explore what makes a partnership between the European Union (EU) and the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States (ACP) meaningful.

Discussions during the roundtable included a re-examination of the assumption that Europe has the only valid form of societal organization, the necessity to rethink the notion of prosperity, and to cultivate the understanding that the entire world is on a path of learning together—a path to which all nations can contribute.

This roundtable discussion was organised in light of the recent summit between the African Union and the EU, held in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, where the movement away from a ‘donor-recipient’ model towards a partnership approach between the regions was emphasised. 

The European Union and the ACP countries are currently engaged in negotiations concerning the next partnership agreement to replace the current “Cotonou Agreement,” which will expire in 2020. The expiry of the “Cotonou Agreement” offers an opportunity for these countries to revisit the underlying tenets of the partnership and future collaboration. 

When commenting on the meeting, Ms. Rachel Bayani, representative at the Baha’i International Community’s Brussels Office said, “When considering the relationship between Europe and the rest of the world, it is vital to gain a thorough appreciation of the interconnectedness of continents. Any partnership endeavour needs to be based on a profound appreciation of our organic and structural interdependence.”