Welcome to Africa Meets Europe: A Forum for Young Leaders (AME)

Africa Meets Europe: A Forum for Young Leaders (AME) is a network of young professionals and individuals who have an interest in exploring and strengthening the relations between Africa and Europe. The ultimate goal of the forum is to educate, enhance and sustain the African-European relationship by empowering the next generation of young leaders from Africa and Europe.

The Joint Africa-EU Strategy provides a long-term framework for relations between the African Union and the European Union, based on equality and shared interests. At the core of the strategy is the understanding that relations between the two continents must be premised on equal participation and representation. Although the usual perception of African continent may be connected to the conflicts, poverty, and insecurity, the latest economic trends prove that Africa could evolve beyond a receiver of aid and move towards becoming a serious trading partner with European countries.

The Institute for Cultural Diplomacy now provides a forum to embrace and examine the field of cultural diplomacy and its importance in African-European relations. During a weeklong seminar, participants have the opportunity to get detailed information about the current African-European relations and discuss their thoughts and ideas about future bilateral cooperation. At the AME weeklong seminar every participant has the chance to meet prominent experts of the field and work in a multicultural environment. The Forum's weeklong seminar is a perfect opportunity for those who are studying in the field of International Relations, International Business, European and African Studies and any areas related to African- European relations, or for those who are simply interested in the present and the future of the cooperation between African and Europe. The forum organizes conferences, public lectures, events and online activities which gives exclusive access to the members of the forum.

About AME Weeklong Seminars

Weeklong Seminars are held every 4-6 months and consist of 4-5 day programs of lectures, seminars, and workshops, together with cultural and social activities. The Seminars aim to give the participants an insight into key perspectives on, the African- European relationship and to introduce them to a network of like-minded individuals, and allow them to explore the cultural landscape of the city of Berlin. Speakers during the seminars include individuals from the fields of politics, diplomacy, academia, culture & the arts, civil society, and the private sector. Once individuals have taken part in an AME Weeklong Seminar and joined the forum, they become a part of the ICD's network, which facilitates communication between like-minded individuals across the world.

Once they have joined the AME Forum, members are supported by the ICD in organizing leadership initiatives and conducting academic research whilst they are also invited to join the ICD Online Forum - enabling them to share information and communicate with like-minded individuals across the world.

Joining the Forum »

Africa Meets Europe: A Forum for Young Leaders (AME) is open to all individuals with an interest in exploring and strengthening the African- European relationship. To join the forum you must take part in one of the AME Weeklong Seminars, which will be held every 4-6 months.

If you would like to reserve a position and participate in the seminar, please click on the link below and fill out the online application form:

Certificate of Attendance

All participants will be awarded an official certificate of attendance upon completion of the program, which provides details about the speakers and topics at the conference. Each certificate will be signed by members of the ICD's Advisory Board.

ICD Alumni Program »

All seminar participants will be invited to join the ICD alumni program. The "ICD Alumni Group" is an international network of like-minded individuals with an interest in further developing the field of cultural diplomacy through the support of intercultural relations. Participation in the group is by invitation only, and is open only to individuals who have taken part in ICD programs. Members of the ICD Alumni Group will benefit from the following opportunities (more).