CIDRA Network

22/08/2026

📢 CALL FOR ABSTRACTS | 2027 CIDRA CONFERENCE

🌍 Enablers and Impediments to Regional Integrations in Africa and Europe

CIDRA, the Faculty of Humanities and the Institute for Pan-African Thought and Conversation at the University of Johannesburg invite scholars, researchers and practitioners to submit abstracts for the 2027 CIDRA International Conference.

📅 1–2 April 2027
📍 University of Johannesburg, Auckland Park, South Africa
⏰ Abstract deadline: 30 October 2026
📝 Abstracts: maximum 500 words

We welcome contributions addressing:

🔹 Economic integration
🔹 Security
🔹 Policy
🔹 Legal & regulatory frameworks
🔹 Diplomacy
🔹 Geopolitics
🔹 Leadership
🔹 Technology & innovation
🔹 Socio-cultural and people-to-people relations

Join an international platform examining the opportunities, challenges and pathways for advancing regional integration in Africa and Europe.

👉 Submit your abstract: https://forms.gle/Jssw5ZULHB8DiHis5

📧 Queries: [email protected]

Selected high-quality papers will be considered for publication in a special issue of a peer-reviewed journal.

18/05/2026

Discover. Learn. Connect.

Explore regional integration through CIDRA’s free video lecture series on Europe and Africa.
Gain insights into institutions, cooperation, governance, and regional dynamics from expert-led discussions.

🎓 Free access
🌍 Europe & Africa perspectives
📚 Academic video lectures

European Regional Integration:
cidra-network.com/videolectures-eu-regional-integration/

African Regional Integration:
cidra-network.com/video-lectures-african-regional-integration/

InternationalRelations PoliticalScience Governance AcademicResearch

27/04/2026

The CIDRA Project invites scholars, researchers, and practitioners to submit abstracts for the international conference:
Multi-Level Governance and Regional Integration in Africa

📍 Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
🏛️ Centre for Federalism and Governance Studies (CFGS), Addis Ababa University
📅 04–05 November 2026

This conference brings together an international research community to examine the evolving relationship between multi-level governance systems and regional integration processes across Africa.

We welcome high-quality contributions addressing themes such as governance and regional integration, constitutionalism and the rule of law, institutional dynamics, natural resource governance, geopolitics, sub-national participation, and digital governance.

🎯 Why participate?
• Engage with a leading international research network
• Present your work in a high-level academic forum
• Contribute to policy-relevant debates on governance in Africa

📝 Submission Details
• Abstracts (max. 300 words)
• Deadline: 30 June 2026
• Full papers: 1 October 2026

https://lnkd.in/dCn9fjkW

📩 Submit your abstract to:
[email protected]
[email protected]

Be part of CIDRA and contribute to advancing research on governance and regional integration in Africa.

22/04/2026

Legal Impediments and Enablers in SADC

The CIDRA Europe-Africa Dialogue, in partnership with the European Union and the University of Johannesburg’s Faculty of Humanities and Institute for Pan-African Thought and Conversation (IPATC), cordially invites you to the second session of the CIDRA-UJ Roundtable Series.

This timely discussion will explore the legal frameworks, barriers, and opportunities shaping regional integration, governance, economic development, and cooperation within the Southern African Development Community (SADC).

Event Details

Presenter: Dr Gosego Lekgowe, University of Botswana
Moderator: Prof Elias Phaahla, University of Johannesburg

Date: Thursday, 23 April 2026
Time: 14:00 – 17:00 (SAST)
Venue: Madibeng Integrity Room, University of Johannesburg, South Africa - Online

Registration
https://cidra-network.com/2026/04/21/second-session-of-the-cidra-uj-roundtable-series/

19/04/2026

🚀 A Powerful Finish to the CIDRA 1st Academic Conference!🌍

Day 2 of the CIDRA 1st Conference at the University of Dar es Salaam delivered inspiring ideas, meaningful dialogue, and exciting new opportunities for collaboration between Africa and Europe.

From high-level discussions on multilateralism, governance, energy security, and regional cooperation to groundbreaking research presentations, the final day showcased the power of partnerships in shaping a stronger, more connected future.

✨ Key highlights included:
🔹 Expert insights on today’s global challenges
🔹 Innovative policy solutions for sustainable development
🔹 Dynamic exchange between scholars, institutions, and decision-makers
🔹 Presentation of the CIDRA Roadmap and future deliverables
🔹 Announcement of the next conference in Addis Ababa

As we close this landmark event, one message is clear: CIDRA is building bridges, driving innovation, and creating lasting impact across continents.

👏 Thank you to all speakers, participants, and partners who made this conference a success. The journey continues!

15/04/2026

🌍 CIDRA 1st Academic Conference – Day 1 Highlights

Today, the CIDRA 1st Conference officially opened at the University of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, under the theme: Regional and Transregional Dimensions in Law and Policymaking.

We were honoured to welcome distinguished diplomats and academic leaders, including H.E. Paloma Serra, Ambassador of Spain to Tanzania, H.E. Giuseppe S. Coppola, Ambassador of Italy to Tanzania, and renowned scholar Prof. Jerónimo Maillo González-Orús. Their participation reflects the growing importance of Africa–Europe dialogue and cooperation in shaping regional integration, governance, and sustainable development.

The first day featured a high-level plenary session on opportunities, challenges, and lessons in cooperation between the European Union and African Regional Economic Communities, followed by dynamic breakout sessions covering:

🔹 Sustainable Development & Regional Growth
🔹 Law and Policymaking
🔹 Migration, Mobility & Regional Stability
🔹 Regionalism and Global Crises
🔹 Digital & Green Transitions

CIDRA continues to build a strong platform for scholarly reflection, joint research, and long-term cooperation between Africa and Europe.

📍 University of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Research Innovation UDSM EUAfrica Tanzania

15/04/2026

1st Conference 2026: Regional and Transregional Dimensions in Law and Policymaking - 15-16 April 2026

Creating A joint infrastructure for Dialogue, Research and Advocacy between Europe and Africa

11/04/2026

🌍 CIDRA Newsletter No. 2 – 2026 is here!
From Madrid to Johannesburg and all the way to Dar es Salaam, our network continues to grow, connect, and inspire.

✨ Highlights include:
▪️ Key discussions on EU–South Africa relations
▪️ The first Spain–Maghreb Forum in Madrid
▪️ CIDRA Europe–Africa Dialogue Roundtable Series
▪️ A new podcast exploring the geopolitics of digital knowledge
▪️ And our upcoming Academic Event in Dar es Salaam this April!

📍 Bringing together experts, researchers & policymakers across Europe and Africa to shape meaningful dialogue and collaboration.

Be part of the conversation. Be part of CIDRA.

🔗 Learn more: https://cidra-network.com/periodical-newsletter/

19/03/2026

Madrid hosted the first major forum dedicated to Spain–Maghreb relations.

On March 4–5, leading journalists, diplomats, academics, and security experts gathered for the I Spain–Maghreb Conference (JEM26), organized by The Political Room and the CEU San Pablo University.

The message was clear: Spain and the Maghreb are structurally linked—through geography, trade, migration, energy, and security—yet the public debate around this relationship has long been insufficient.

From media challenges and geopolitical tensions to energy dependence and regional stability, JEM26 opened a long-overdue, honest, and multidisciplinary conversation.

This is just the beginning.

Check for more: https://cidra-network.com/2026/03/19/madrid-hosts-the-first-major-forum-on-spain-maghreb-relations-march-5-2026-madrid/

10/03/2026

📢 You’re Invited!

The CIDRA Europe-Africa Dialogue, in partnership with the European Union and the University of Johannesburg, invites you to a hybrid roundtable discussion:

The Barriers and Enablers for Investment in SADC
🎤 Speaker: Prof Gabila Nubong (North West University)

🎙 Moderator: Prof Bhaso Ndzendze (University of Johannesburg)

📅 Thursday, 19 March 2026

⏰ 14:00 – 17:00 (SAST)

📍 Madibeng Integrity Room, University of Johannesburg

💻 Online via Microsoft Teams

📌 RSVP by scanning the QR code on the invitation.

Join the conversation shaping investment across Southern Africa.