Diasporas: women in the spotlight for the 5th edition
The fifth edition of the National Day of African Diasporas (JNDA) was held on March 31 and April 1 in Bordeaux. For this event, the women were in the spotlight. More broadly, its vocation, the Franco-African relations were reviewed there.
Report in Bordeaux, by DBM
« We want to work with Africa as it exists today in the continent and in its Diaspora, consisted of crossbreeding and diversity, with the will to act here and there as a common denominator. At each of our meetings, we will continue to establish close partnerships and promote cooperation between institutional and private players from France and Africa, which shows the special and crucial role played by Bordeaux in the relationships with African countries. »
Thus, the idea of the National Day of African Diasporas was summarized by its main instigator, Pierre De Gaétan Njikam Mouliom, Assistant to the Mayor of Bordeaux in charge of partnerships with sub-Saharan Africa. This event, unprecedented in France, has brought together key players from African Diasporas for the past five years to rethink Franco-African relations, while highlighting them.
« Bordeaux and Africa share a common destiny based on historical, cultural, economic, academic and human ties, » recalled Alain Juppé, the Mayor of the city. I deeply believe that the African continent is the great power of tomorrow. For centuries, the Africans have been present all over the world and Africa has experienced so many foreign influences that today it is the continent capable of meeting at best the globalization challenges. »
« Recalling the crucial role of women engaged in influent networks in making the African Diasporas dynamic and influent”
In this vein, Bordeaux set out to « the hour of Africa ». And for its fifth edition, held on March 31 and April 1, the women were on the spotlight. Denise Epoté, Manager of “TV5 monde Afrique”, honorary chairperson of the women’s Day and Leïla Aïchi, senator and lawyer, sponsor of the 2017 edition.
They availed that opportunity to recall, during a round table, the crucial role of women engaged in influent networks in making the African Diasporas dynamic. In this respect, the men were not left behind. With a guest star this year, Moise Katumbi, a Congolese business and political leader and candidate for the presidential election in the DRC. Above all, the French Tech and African start-ups attended once again the Bordeaux-Africa digital meetings.
For more information, please see our video report!
Author//Dounia Ben Mohamed//Photos: Pierre De Gaétan Njikam Mouliom, Assistant to the Mayor of Bordeaux, Alain Juppé © DR