Building a sustainable European Union – African Union  partnership: The role of civil Society Organizations in  shaping the Joint Vision for 2030

This thesis examines the role of civil society organizations (CSOs) in shaping the EU-AU partnership and the "Joint Vision for 2030" adopted at the 6th EU-AU Summit in 2022. Applying the Advocacy Coalition Framework (ACF) as a theoretical lens, the study assesses how CSOs influence decision-making and enhance cooperation between the regions. The qualitative approach, combining semi-structured interviews with CSO representatives and document analysis of position papers and official statements, highlights the Africa-Europe Foundation as a key case study. Findings indicate a shift towards a holistic approach to sustainable development, aligning with the Foundation's advocacy and the 2022 summit's priorities. The study concludes that CSOs play crucial roles as knowledge brokers, policy entrepreneurs, and advocates, contributing to more accountable and responsive policies. However, challenges remain in ensuring effective CSO engagement. This research enriches the literature on...Show moreThis thesis examines the role of civil society organizations (CSOs) in shaping the EU-AU partnership and the "Joint Vision for 2030" adopted at the 6th EU-AU Summit in 2022. Applying the Advocacy Coalition Framework (ACF) as a theoretical lens, the study assesses how CSOs influence decision-making and enhance cooperation between the regions. The qualitative approach, combining semi-structured interviews with CSO representatives and document analysis of position papers and official statements, highlights the Africa-Europe Foundation as a key case study. Findings indicate a shift towards a holistic approach to sustainable development, aligning with the Foundation's advocacy and the 2022 summit's priorities. The study concludes that CSOs play crucial roles as knowledge brokers, policy entrepreneurs, and advocates, contributing to more accountable and responsive policies. However, challenges remain in ensuring effective CSO engagement. This research enriches the literature on interregional partnerships, civil society inclusion, and the impact of think tanks on foreign policy, offering insights for policymakers, CSOs, and researchers.Show less

Leiden University Student Repository

Documents

In Collections

Building a sustainable European Union – African Union partnership: The role of civil Society Organizations in shaping the Joint Vision for 2030