Following the “Winter Meeting of Coimbra Group for Cooperation” hosted by University of Pavia the 25 and 26 of November, representatives from European and African Institution gathered together in the beautiful and historical location of the Department of Economics and Management at the University for the conference “Building together: Enhancing European and African collaboration in Research and Innovation”.In a increasingly connected world, a solid and sustainable partnership between Africa and Europe in research and innovation is essential to face the challenges facing us globally. This was the theme of the conference, that Professors and institutional representatives explored in depth, sharing knowledge, experiences and new perspectives. Francesco Brendolise, Councillor for Social Policies for the City of Pavia and Director of SISTERR and Antonella Forlino, Vice-Rector for Internationalization at the University of Pavia and President of GLOBEC opened the meeting, witnesses to the commitment and presence of the University and the province of Pavia in the international cooperation network.

SINERGY, PARTNERSHIP AND SUSTAINABILITY: 3 keywords to describe the spirit of the conference

Andrea Merli, representative of the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS), rewieved the achievementes of the last decade in the Italian-African collaboration pointing out the great opportunities for the near future.

Three round tables saw representatives from African Universities professors Lelei, Okello Owiny, Kidaha, Nansamba and Msosa reflect on their experiences from an African perspective and make suggestions for improvements that would really meet the real needs of the partner countries. Members of the Coimbra Group Frankowicz , Songstad and Kuiper shared brilliant reflections on future opportunities in cooperation. In two round tables representatives from African Universities professors Lelei, Okello Owiny, Kidaha, Nansamba and Msosa reflected on their experiences from an African perspective and gave hints at nowadays situation in cooperation. Last but not least the students of Masters in Cooperation and Development and Glodep heard Professors Knorringa and Minoia, representatives of EADI and professors Parigi and Sassi from Università di Pavia who highlighted the commitment of the University in cooperation projects.