Summerschool 2008: Day 10

Francis began his discussion by deconstructing ‘Afro-pessimist’ stereotypes of the “hopeless continent” and offering new insight into the issues facing Africa through analysis of the relationship between security and development. Francis concluded his presentation by positing that a shift from non-intervention to non-indifference in African foreign policies was required for African countries to be taken seriously and moreover, that African problems required African solutions. After productive discussion of the issues facing African development in their working groups, the participants shifted their attention northward and were prompted to consider who will lead in Europe by two thought provoking presentations by Andreas List, International Relations officer for the European Commission and Maike Tribbels of the Policy Planning Unit of NATO. Before beginning his presentation, List engaged the participants by asking if the European Union had democratic legitimacy. List then allowed them to ponder this question while he outlined the three pillars of the European Union and explained how these principles are reflected in the structure and inner-workings of the organization. In Tribbels’ presentation, she offered a perspective of the NATO Bucharest Summit and drew a roadmap to the Strasbourg Summit this coming April. Besides for the Strasbourg Summit marking the 60th anniversary of NATO, Tribbels highlighted the political context which could possibly foster a truly momentous conference for the future of NATO.

The International Forum on Strategic Thinking is DGAP’s main instrument for the promotion of young professionals and scholars in the area of foreign and security policy. Every summer, a number of carefully selected students and recent graduates are invited to attend its two-week International Summer School.