Addis Ababa: conversations for greater mutual understanding

The Belgian embassy has launched 'geopolitical conversations' in Addis Ababa, the diplomatic capital of Africa. The aim is to foster more empathy and understanding between diverse nationalities, through open debate. This is vital in a turbulent world which is searching for a new geopolitical balance.

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Photo of Nina Wilén giving a talk. In the background a TV screen, a roll-up with the logo of the Geopolitical Conversations conference in Addis Ababa and of the Belgian Presidency of the European Council

Nina Wilén during her lecture at the Belgian embassy in Addis Ababa (© FPS Foreign Affairs).

The Belgian embassy has launched 'geopolitical conversations' in Addis Ababa, the diplomatic capital of Africa. The aim is to foster more empathy and understanding between diverse nationalities, through open debate. This is vital in a turbulent world which is searching for a new geopolitical balance.
 

The world in flux


Saying that the world is in flux is to put it mildly. The balance of power - the geopolitical context - is shifting. While we lived in a rather unipolar world after the fall of the Berlin Wall - with the U.S. as the guiding superpower - other superpowers have made their presence felt in recent years. Not least China, but also Russia wants to reprise its former starring role. India and Brazil are also profiling themselves as great nations.

Together with South Africa, these 4 countries form the BRICs, who are looking to act as a counterbalance to the West. Other countries including Egypt and Ethiopia have joined their ranks. The African continent is also becoming more assertive and independent.
 

Diplomats in action


This feverish search for a new global balance comes with a great deal of distrust. That was the perception of Ambassador Stefaan Thijs when he took office at the Belgian Embassy in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, his first posting to Africa. "I was shocked by the general perception there about Europe and the West," he recalls. "There is a very negative image - tinted by colonialism - that runs very deep."

At the same time, we need each other, especially given the challenges we face: climate change, pandemics, etc. "Due to competition with China and Russia, Africa and Europe are losing market share and there is less cooperation," Thijs laments. "Within the changing geopolitical context, we urgently need renewed cooperation." And that is where diplomacy needs to play its part. "The more turbulent and conflictual the world becomes, the more diplomats need to take action to forge mutual understanding."

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Photo of Sven Biscop giving a talk with microphone in hand. In the background a TV screen, a roll-up with the logo of the Geopolitical Conversations conference in Addis Ababa and of the Belgian Presidency of the European Council

Sven Biscop during his lecture at the Belgian embassy in Addis Ababa (© FPS Foreign Affairs).

The need for exchange


And where better to do that than in Addis Ababa, the diplomatic capital of Africa? Given that the African Union (AU) has its headquarters in Addis Ababa, there are no fewer than 119 embassies there. The similarity with Brussels - where the EU has its headquarters - is striking. "Addis Ababa and Brussels have a lot in common," explains Thijs. "Yet there are very few think tanks here, unlike in energetic Brussels."

That's where the idea came from of organising meetings between different countries, where there can be open and respectful exchanges so that we can get to know and understand each other better. Thijs saw that there was a lot of interest in the proposal among fellow ambassadors from every continent, and at the UN. "There was clearly a need for these meetings of exchange."

The Ethiopian Foreign Ministry was also very open to the idea. "Indeed, initiatives like these can raise Addis Ababa's profile and foster a culture of debate."
 

Reflecting on the world


From there, a formula was worked out that became known as the 'geopolitical conversations in Addis Ababa'. "The idea was that various embassies would organise consecutive seminars. They would then invite experts from their home countries to explain their views, followed by an open debate."

The aim is to reflect on how the world is evolving. What should the global governance of the future look like? How do we address global challenges - inequality and poverty, climate, migration, new technologies... - on a global scale? How do we strike the right balance between universal values and national interests? A key aspect in this regard is the role Africa can play within it.

An additional benefit of the concept is that non-Western expertise will receive more attention. Thijs: "One thing you notice in newspapers like the Financial Times, the New York Times and Le Monde diplomatique is that they are primarily a mouthpiece for Western experts. Experts from Latin America, Asia and the Middle East do not have much of a say. With our conversations, we offer them a platform."

The conversations are always moderated by a local academic think tank, namely the Centre for Dialogue, Research, and Cooperation. And a podcast is made of each conversation.

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Photo of a large group of people sitting in a room

The debate in the Belgian embassy attracted a lot of interest (© FPS Foreign Affairs).

Constructive and empathetic


On 23 January, the Belgian Embassy kicked off with Sven Biscop and Nina Wilén, experts affiliated with the Egmont Institute. Biscop spoke about the new global, geopolitical context from a Belgian and European perspective. For her part, Wilén talked about how Europe looks at the position of Africa in these global shifts.

The Belgian residence in Addis Ababa welcomed an impressive 90 stakeholders, from various backgrounds: diplomats from 30 different countries, 15 journalists, several students, representatives from UN agencies and a number of private individuals.

In any event, the concept turned out to be a success. The speakers shared fascinating insights, and the subsequent debate was productive and open. There was really a sense that it was possible to have a constructive and empathetic conversation with diverse nationalities.

On 25 June, a debate was held at the Turkish Embassy on global issues, with a focus on Africa. The Moroccan, Norwegian, Indonesian, Saudi, Kenyan and Egyptian embassies in Addis Ababa have also already expressed interest in organising a similar 'geopolitical conversation'. Once the series of conversations are complete, everything will be compiled into a final document. The 'golden thread' of the conversations will also be explained.

In short, a great initiative that aims in a peaceful way to help find a new geopolitical balance in the current, more multipolar world.