AWB Training Workshops - Second Edition

Africa Without Borders (AWB) is organising a discussion event in Istanbul on Sunday, 8 November 2026, dedicated to Africa’s political, economic and social dynamics. Through two sessions exploring Türkiye–Africa relations and the transformation of Pan-Africanism in the context of neoliberalism, the workshops will provide a space for dialogue on the continent’s challenges, priorities and pursuit of greater autonomy. Africa is often portrayed through narratives that emphasise crises, vulnerability and dependence. When these perspectives become the sole framework for understanding the continent, they obscure its rich intellectual traditions, diverse political trajectories and the aspirations of its societies. They also leave little room for the initiatives through which Africans seek to define their priorities, build their institutions and influence the decisions that shape their future. AWB’s discussion workshops seek to broaden this perspective. They invite participants to examine African realities in their historical depth and contemporary complexity, placing the continent’s voices, experiences and perspectives at the centre of the conversation. The aim is to understand the challenges Africa faces alongside the intellectual, political and economic resources available to address them. Against a backdrop of shifting international power relations, this approach raises several questions: what position do African countries seek to occupy in the global system? How can they strengthen their ability to determine their economic and political direction? What role can Pan-Africanism play in developing collective responses? And under what conditions can international partnerships support African priorities? Türkiye–Africa Relations: Exploring the Conditions for