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CANCELLED: Africa Day 2020

It is with pain in our hearts that we are forced to cancel Africa Day 2020 altogether. The announcement on 12 March to move Africa Day from 4 April to 27 June appears to have been too optimistic.

The situation in the Netherlands and around the world has worsened so much that it is impossible to keep this new date. It is now clear that all events in the Netherlands will be cancelled until 1 June. Much uncertainty remains for now about the possibilities for larger events later that month. Because of this uncertainty, and with the fact that planning and organising this event requires colleagues and partners to come together, we are forced to cancel the Africa Day on 27 June as well.

What do African migrants themselves want? Time for a sober and effective approach

Billions are being invested to keep migrants and potential migrants in Africa. Whether this has any results is unclear. People continue to take the often life-threatening routes at great risk to build an insecure existence here. It is time to invest in things Africans really need. Let's do that by talking to them and to Africans already in the EU, rather than about them. Migration is of all times. Time for a sober and effective approach.

Africa Day 4 April postponed to 27 June due to COVID-19

Unfortunately, we too have to make do. With the ban on events with more than 100 people, we are forced to cancel the Africa Day on 4 April as well. But no worries, the Africa Day will take place, health permitting, on Saturday 27 June!

Marina Ohanjanyan leaves FMS after 10.5 years

After more than a decade, Marina has decided to leave us for a job with the Ministry of Defence. Of course, we cannot let her go without asking her how she has found it here with us over the past 10.5 years.

Africa and Climate Justice: an Underreported Story?

Climate change is an issue about people. The African continent alone hosts 1.2 billion of those people most affected by the climate crisis. Yet, voices from the communities most at risk are highly underrepresented, both in the media and climate change research. Countless stories are ready to be told by African entrepreneurs, youth activists, women, farmers, families, and many more.

Political Cafe Iraq; shifting puppets won't help, another game is needed

Fierce protests have been raging in Iraq since October. On top of that, in early January, Iranian general Soleimani and Iraqi militia leader Muhandis were liquidated by the US in Baghdad. These events are highly likely to have major implications for Iraq and the region. Therefore, it was a good time to discuss them with politicians, experts and members of the Iraqi diaspora! In a well-filled room in the Muntgebouw Utrecht, the Political Café on Iraq took place on 23 January, led by moderator Kido Koenig. A very interesting evening with a nice musical interlude and an active audience looking at the situation and future of Iraq from different perspectives.

Rich pay less and less tax: and why that contributes to rising inequality

This is one of the main conclusions in Oxfam Novib's "Time to Care" report released today: the number of billionaires has doubled in the last decade, but at the same time the super-rich and multinationals are paying less and less tax. No wonder global inequality has increased. Over 2,000 billionaires in the world are collectively richer than 60% of the world's population, 4.6 billion people. And unfortunately, as a tax haven, the Netherlands plays a bad role in this.

Danijel Tadic bids farewell to the FMS after 10 years

After working at FMS for 10 years, Danijel Tadic decided it was time for a new adventure. He started his new job with the Police in early December. Of course, we cannot let his departure go by just like that, so we asked him some questions about the past 10 years.