"Equitable research partnership is not about Africa, it is about our collective future!" said Isabella Aboderin, PARC, Bristol University

Please find the report on the rich discussion of the panel here: https://www.berlin-university-alliance.de/commitments/international/bcge/veranstaltungen/berichte/20251017_DAADKiWi_BUA_PolicyTalk/index.html

The discussion on African–European partnerships, with fellow panelists Boris Heinz (TU Berlin) and Juliette Thondhlana (Univ. of Nottingham and AAU Europe Office), highlighted that while strategic recognition of cooperation with partners in the Global South exists, the practical implementation is often hindered at multiple levels - for example by bureaucratic and administrative barriers.
Ensuring consortium funding for all partners involved in a project, guaranteeing visibility for all contributors, and supporting conceptual collaboration and trust building already in the pre-funding phase were underlined as essential measures to foster equitable research cooperation. Respecting and responding to actual needs of the research location as well as the capacities of collaborators are pivotal for project success. 

However, equity is not only about structures—it is also about knowledge equity. These principles are likewise reflected in the Africa Charter, which the Berlin University Alliance signed last year. You can find more information on the Charter here: 
https://www.berlin-university-alliance.de/commitments/international/bcge/index.html

For more insights, you can listen to the Meridian podcast of the Berlin Center for Global Engagement (Episode 17) here: https://www.berlin-university-alliance.de/en/media/podcasts/meridian/index.html