African Media Fellows Gain Front-Row Insight into the AU-EU Partnership

The week began at the European External Action Service (EEAS) with a focus on deepening the Fellows' understanding of the AU-EU Partnership, which celebrated its 25th anniversary last year. Sessions with EEAS Deputy Managing Director for Africa, Francesca Di Mauro, and Spokesperson for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Anouar El Anouni, followed. Through dedicated sessions on the outcomes of the recent AU-EU Luanda Summit, concrete examples of political engagement at regional level, the Global Gateway Strategy, youth engagement, and the role of civil society and media, participants explored how the partnership is advancing shared priorities in developing locally driven solutions on peace, industrialization, infrastructure, digital transformation, climate resilience, health, education, governance, and sustainable development.

Discussions led by EU Special Representative for Human Rights, Kajsa Ollongren, EU Ambassador for Equality, Aude Maio, and officials from EEAS and the European Commission's Directorates-General for Environment, Climate Action, International Partnerships, Taxation and Customs Union, and Health highlighted the Africa-European Union partnership's focus on local autonomy, with people, the rule of law, and environmental sustainability at its core.

Fellows were welcomed by the African Union Permanent Mission in Brussels, Ambassador Ali Yakoub Mahamoud, Permanent Representative of the African Union to the European Union and the ACP Group of States, who acknowledged the EU's close partnership and said policy only delivers impact when citizens understand it and see how it relates to their lives. Underscoring the critical role of the media in advancing Africa's development agenda, he said, "through programmes such as the African Union Media Fellowship, we are equipping African journalists not only to report on continental and global affairs, but to explain them with depth, accuracy, and context. By engaging directly with institutions such as the African Union and the European Union, Fellows gain first-hand insights that strengthen their reporting and help bring Agenda 2063 closer to the people it serves."

Ambassador Mahamoud also briefed the Fellows on the institutional architecture of the AU-EU Partnership and the African Union's priorities under Agenda 2063, encouraging them to use the knowledge and networks gained through the Fellowship to produce impactful journalism that connects policy with people. He emphasised that "on critical topics for the citizens, we are all in the same boat", highlighting the relevance of the partnership with the EU in ensuring African-led solutions, namely, peace, prosperity, opportunities for youth, and the climate transition.

The Fellows also visited the European Union's two co-legislative institutions, the EU Parliament and the EU Council President, where they gained first-hand insight into how European legislation and policy decisions are developed. Engaged with peers. They toured the parliamentary chambers where Members of the European Parliament and EU Member States deliberate on issues affecting the Union and engaged with senior officials, including Oumar Doumbouya, Director for the European Parliament's External Liaison Offices, Delphine Colard, the European Parliament's Spokesperson, and members of the EU Council President.

A dedicated dialogue with Hilde Vautmans, Chair, and Ingeborg ter Laak, Second Vice-Chair of the European Parliament's Standing Delegation to the Africa-Europe Parliamentary Assembly, explored the role of parliamentary diplomacy in strengthening the AU-EU Partnership. Discussions focused on how sustained engagement between the European Parliament and the Pan-African Parliament fosters mutual understanding, supports shared policy priorities, and reinforces cooperation between Africa and Europe. (webstreamed ).

"Seeing how the European Parliament and the Pan-African Parliament engage on issues such as sustainable agriculture, food systems, and regional cooperation has given me a deeper understanding of how parliamentary dialogue supports policy development. That perspective will strengthen my Fellowship project by helping me tell a more informed story about Africa's agricultural transformation and the partnerships supporting the implementation of Agenda 2063," said Justina Matandiko, AU Media Fellow from Zambia.

The study tour also offered a practical look at the European Union's humanitarian response architecture through a visit to the Emergency Response Coordination Centre (ERCC) at the European Commission's Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (DG ECHO). Fellows explored crisis coordination, disaster response, regional cooperation, and efforts to counter disinformation....

"Visiting the Emergency Response Coordination Centre showed me that public health is not just about responding to emergencies. It is about preparedness, coordination, and partnerships. Understanding how African institutions work with international partners, specifically the EU, during health crises will help me produce a Fellowship story that explains how these collaborations strengthen Africa's health security and protect communities," said Ayele Ambelu, AU Media Fellow from Ethiopia.

The week concluded with a practical Model EU-African Union Summit roleplay led by Asad Beg, Senior Expert on Pan-African Affairs at the EEAS. Inspired by the EU-AU Joint Vision for 2030, the African Media Fellows took part in a mock summit, representing EU and AU institutions and member states. They negotiated under the four key partnership priorities: peace, prosperity (including the Global Gateway initiative), people (migration and mobility), and planet (multilateralism). The exercise concluded with a simulated press conference. In addition to the group program, Fellows had the opportunity to engage in more in-depth conversations on topics such as peace, transitional justice, and food security.

"This experience has shown me that regional integration is built through sustained dialogue, partnerships, and shared investment. Hearing directly from the policymakers behind the AU-EU Partnership has given me insights that will strengthen my Fellowship project and help me explain how infrastructure and connectivity initiatives contribute to implementing Agenda 2063 and improving the lives of African citizens," said Tawanda Dube, AU Media Fellow from Zimbabwe.

Beyond policy discussions, the programme also included teamwork projects and celebrated the cultural dimension of the Africa-Europe partnership. Fellows attended the Africa Days Cultural Event at BOZAR (Palais des Beaux-Arts), visited the Portraits of Resilience photography exhibition at the EEAS Rotonda, and concluded the week with a networking reception, providing additional opportunities to build stronger bonds, network, and engage with European officials, media professionals, and partners.

The AU Media Fellowship's EU study tour reflects the programme's commitment to experiential learning, providing journalists and content creators from 18 African Union Member States with first-hand insight into the AU-EU Partnership. The experience will strengthen their reporting projects, enabling them to produce evidence-based stories that connect policy with people and showcase how AU-EU cooperation advances Agenda 2063.

As the programme continues with the Germany learning component, Fellows will deepen their understanding of media innovation, strategic communication and development cooperation before returning home to complete their Fellowship projects organied by our partner, GIZ African Union. Through these experiences, the AU Media Fellowship continues to build a network of journalists equipped to tell Africa's story with greater depth, accuracy and authority, ensuring that the continent's priorities are communicated through informed African perspectives.

Watch the recap video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sWaq9S_Zk4s