The URUNANI Africa Network Participates in the 2025 Summer University of Social and Solidarity Movements in Bordeaux

From August 23 to 26, 2025, the URUNANI Africa Network took part in the 2025 edition of the Summer University of Social and Solidarity Movements (UEMSS), held in Bordeaux following previous editions in Grenoble, Nantes, and Bobigny. 

This major gathering brought together organizations, activists, and civil society actors committed to international solidarity, popular education, and social transformation in order to reflect collectively on contemporary challenges related to cooperation, social justice, and civic engagement. 

The network was represented by focal points from Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Madagascar, Burundi, Togo, Chad, Gabon, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and the Republic of the Congo. This broad representation strengthened exchanges between African and European actors and reinforced cooperation within the network and among its partners. 

One of the highlights of the network’s participation was the facilitation of the module: 

“Fair Global Citizenship Education in the North and South: How Can We Improve Relationships and Practices?” 

This workshop, co-developed with several committed partners including RADSI, ITECO, Louvain Coopération, Sterna Africa and other partner organizations, created a space for in-depth discussions on power relations, reciprocity, and fairness in Global Citizenship and Solidarity Education (ECSI/ECMS). 

Through testimonies, participatory workshops, collective analysis, and experience-sharing sessions, participants reflected on how to build more balanced partnerships, challenge unequal dynamics in international cooperation, and promote practices that are more inclusive and rooted in local realities. 

The event also provided an opportunity to highlight initiatives led by network members and partners while opening new perspectives for collaboration around international solidarity, popular education, and social transformation. 

The URUNANI Africa Network warmly thanks all participants, partners, and organizers of this 2025 edition — especially the CRID and ATTAC for their commitment and for the quality of the exchanges throughout the event. 

This participation reflects the network’s ongoing commitment to promoting a more equitable, horizontal, and co-constructed approach to international cooperation.