Three Questions for Mr. Adrian Veale
- How did you learn about the exchange programme and how did the selection process conducted?
Our own Human Resources department contacted our unit about this opportunity. We [European Commission] work on international cooperation with countries outside Europe, and therefore would have more to gain from this exchange opportunity. To be selected, I had to put together a programme of activities. So besides general fact-funding about the African Union, I also included discussions on the links between EU programmes for higher education cooperation and those managed by the AU. I also saw this as an opportunity to visit Ethiopian partner universities in EU-funded projects, and to meet some of the Ethiopian alumni of our programmes who have returned home. This blend seemed to strike the right note, as I was selected to take part!
- What was your expectation for the two weeks assignment and can you describe your experience?
As I explained, I had a wide range of different topics on which I wanted to meet people and exchange ideas. I was not sure that this would all fit together. It was fascinating to learn about the AU itself at this key time in its development. What became clear from all my meetings is that there are great synergies to be found between the policies and projects that both our organisations support. So it was a great learning experience, creating lots of new ideas. I fear that it may have created lots of new work too !!
- What is the significance of the EU-Africa Summit on Youth is happening in 2017 and the AU is committed to prioritise Youth issues this year. What is your recommendation for a better output of this staff exchange programme between the EU and the AU?
It is great to see that the AU's "Demographic Dividend" strategy is not treating "youth" as a topic in itself, but as something that needs to be mainstreamed throughout all policy areas. Especially though in the areas of education, training and employment. This approach will be mirrored in a strong focus on youth and education in the forthcoming EU-Africa summit and the renewed strategy that may emerge from that meeting in November. I think in both continents we have good ideas on how we can get African and European young people to make their own contribution to this process. I'm sure we can show a whole range of areas where partnership between both continents is bearing fruit on a daily basis.
Two weeks is not long enough to look at things in depth. But you know, sometimes it helps to step back: looking at things on the surface can help you see how we can make links between all the efforts we are already making.
My recommendations for the exchange are two-fold. I've done the first - to set a manageable number of objectives before going. I now need to go back on work on the second: I need to pass on the lessons I've learned and talk to people back in Brussels about the ideas I've explored here with the AUC, with the EU Delegations and with the universities and alumni, to try and take them further.