Toward Cultural Diplomacy: Reframing Africa–Europe Partnerships
Reimagining relations through shared histories and cultural dialogue
August 15th, 2025
In late January 2025, a landmark symposium in Berlin marked the 140th anniversary of the Berlin Conference of 1884–85. Emphasizing cultural diplomacy, the event offered a platform to reassess colonial legacies and advance equitable Africa–Europe relations.
Organized by Farafina Afrika-Haus e.V., the University of Dar es Salaam, the German Africa Foundation, and KfW Bankengruppe, the symposium welcomed over 200 participants from political, academic, business, and civil society sectors. Under the honorary patronage of former German President Horst Köhler and former Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, it served as a forum for reflecting on how deeply embedded colonial history remains in shaping current relations.
The opening statements, including a pre-recorded address by Köhler and remarks from KfW’s Dr Thomas Duve, underscored the urgency of acknowledging and reckoning with colonial history. As one keynote highlighted, Europeans must move beyond being "snooty teachers of values and morals" and approach the partnership with humility and openness.
Ellen Johnson Sirleaf’s call for a truly mutual partnership resonated with cultural diplomacy’s essence: moving past symbolic gestures to build relationships grounded in respect, equality, and shared understanding. Her words—“truly, we are partners… we are tied together”—echoed the broader demand for dignified, culturally informed collaboration.
By re-examining the legacies of colonialism through conversations grounded in cultural empathy and mutual respect, the symposium highlighted cultural diplomacy’s transformative potential. It charted a path toward a future where Africa–Europe relations are shaped not by history’s divisions, but by shared cultural dialogue, understanding, and partnership.
