It is becoming increasingly clear that the African continent will play an absolutely pivotal role in the decades to come. Demographic growth, wealth of resources, and a renewed democratic push are indeed enabling several African countries to assert their relevance on the global stage.

However, Europeans seem not to fully realize the potential of their African neighbors, with a narrative that often portrays them as a source of problems - especially of migratory and political nature - without fully grasping the immense human and economic potential they represent for the world and Europe in particular.

What does this sort of "African promise" consist of, in concrete terms? How far along is the process of Chinese "soft colonization" of the African continent? Why do European economies seem no longer able to play a leading role in Africa’s development?

The aim of this meeting is to offer participants the opportunity to discuss these questions with Howard W. French, a renowned Professor, author, and reporter, who will share his decades-long experience with them. In particular, he will address:

• challenges and opportunities related to a "cumbersome" neighbor: prejudices, racism, and geography
• Europe (and Italy) and the trap of irrelevance: how to reclaim a leading role in Africa
• Africa beyond resources and cheap labor: what will be the markets of the future?