MEA Institute representatives VP Rayan Hamila and Mohamed Al Mabrouk, together with executives of the Centre for African Studies Basel ZASB, Dr Veit Arlt and Dr Pascal Schmid, signed a Memorandum of Understanding at the University of Basel, formalising a strategic partnership between the two institutions.
The agreement aims to deepen collaboration between the MEA Institute and ZASB in the context of the biennial SGAS/SSEA & VAD Conference, hosted this year in Basel, Switzerland.
This cooperation reflects a shared commitment to strengthening policy-academic links and amplifying African voices and perspectives in the international arena.
The programme opens on 25 August with the Emerging Leaders Forum, organised by the MEA Institute for Strategic Studies under the theme “African Perspectives on Global Transformations: The Lens of the Generation.” This forum will spotlight the voices of emerging leaders and foster intergenerational dialogue on the future of global policy and development.
From 26–28 August 2026, the SGAS/SSEA & VAD Conference, hosted by the Centre for African Studies Basel, will bring together leading scholars and practitioners to examine African perspectives shaping global transformations across policy, innovation, and society. The MEA Institute will contribute three Dialogue Sessions, designed to facilitate direct engagement between policymakers, stakeholders, and experts.
The Basel Conference 2026 is a premier platform for access, influence, and collaboration, offering participants:
– Exclusive access to high-level discussions and cutting-edge research insights
– Direct engagement with leading experts, policymakers, and peers
– Unique networking opportunities through curated side events
– Exposure to emerging African perspectives shaping global discourse
Through its multi-stakeholder format, the week aims to bridge the gap between academia, policy, and practice while amplifying African perspectives in global conversations. We look forward to bringing together leading voices in Basel in August to shape forward-looking conversations on Africa’s role in global transformation.
This collaboration marks a strengthened commitment to advancing African studies and fostering interdisciplinary dialogue between academia, policy, and practice across Europe and Africa.
Further programme details, speakers, and registration information will be announced.
