Diaspora Council: lessons from the pandemic can bring Europe and Africa closer together and boost business

Speaking to Lusa, after his intervention in the opening session of the 4th edition of the Forum Europe Africa, the responsible for the organizing entity said that it is not the pandemic itself, but what is learned from the pandemic "that can enhance the rapprochement" between Europe and Africa and "business and the economy" between the two continents.

"In the world of business and cooperation, I only see this with good eyes," said the head of the Diaspora Council, who is also president of the Portuguese Chamber of Commerce in Spain.

"We are now going into a recovery phase (...) and in the 'day after' [next day] we will have more flexible work models and relationships and more collaborative work environments", considered the former Repsol manager in Portugal.

However, he considered that "economic recovery is fundamental, it cannot be a dream, it has to be a reality that is immediately grasped, hand in hand, with the creation of jobs", also referring to two important issues, such as "the green agenda, with the energy transition, and (...) the digital revolution".

Therefore, the official referred that at the Forum there was talk of "a world that has to make more connections between the dots, economy and employment, the green agenda and the digital revolution, because if they are not together, or if there is one of them that will fail, [there will be] a very big problem to solve," he warned.

However, in his opinion, the covid-19 pandemic, which was a "hard and intense experience", which turned out to be "transformative and disruptive in many aspects" such as in the economy, in teleworking, in the e-commerce boom and digital in the business part, but also in the services part.

The executive director and vice president of Fundación Repsol argued that this three-day forum, which began today, is an "opportunity to see and share different points of view and different angles in this EuroAfrica Community Network".

Now in its fourth edition, the forum has 16 panels, 38 speakers and moderators from both Africa and Europe, he said.

"This year we are honored to have the presence (digital) of His Excellency the President of Angola João Lourenço and of His Excellency the President of the Republic of Portugal Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa", he highlighted, in his speech at the opening of the event .

The Portuguese Diaspora Council, a Portuguese global network founded in 2012 and whose main objective is to enhance the brand, image and reputation of Portugal, already has 90 advisers, who work in different fields, from culture to economy, passing through citizenship and science.

These advisors are spread across 27 countries, 47 cities and five continents. This year's Forum theme is: "Getting Along – New Paths for Cooperation between the Twin Continents".
The debate will focus on cooperation between Europe and Africa, and on economic relations between the two continents.

The Europe Africa Forum agenda includes seven panels: Economic Perspectives for Europe and Africa after the Free Trade Agreement; Digital Work and Digital Platforms and Technologies; The Digital ID Revolution; Paving the way for green growth and inclusive transitions; Culture and Market; Media and Digitization.

Among the speakers are entrepreneurs, activists, leaders, public and private decision makers, and other actors who have contributed to the dialogue between Africa and Europe.