European Union celebrates Europe Day at UKZN

BY: .

‘The current global situation shows that peace and security require hard work, commitment to diplomacy and the ability to build bridges.’ These were the words of the European Union (EU) Ambassador to South Africa, Mr Roeland Van De Geer.

Van De Geer was speaking at the recent Europe Day celebrations held at UKZN’s Killie Campbell Collections in Morningside, where Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Head of the College of Humanities, Professor Cheryl Potgieter and KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Finance, Ms Belinda Scott, were special guests.

Europe Day marks the day in 1950 on which the then French Foreign Minister Robert Schuman presented his ideas to create a European institution that would pool and manage coal and steel production. A treaty creating such a body was signed just under a year later. Schuman’s proposal is considered to be the beginning of what is now the European Union.

Van De Geer highlighted that the relationship between Europe and Africa continues to grow, reflecting developments on both continents, including Africa’s sustained economic growth that lifts millions out of poverty and enables the EU and Africa to step up their economic ties.

‘This year South Africa celebrates 21 years of democracy and much has been achieved. While Europe sees South Africa as a main international partner, we do of course fully recognise that South Africa itself continues to face considerable challenges. Poverty reduction and job creation remain priorities, while improved service delivery in areas such as education will require much investment and full engagement by all concerned.

‘There is much work to do, both in South Africa and in the European Union,’ Van De Geer added. ‘Jobs will need to be created, growth will need to be increased, peace and security will need to be enhanced dramatically and, possibly above all, the EU and South Africa will need to stand shoulder to shoulder to fight xenophobia in our societies and work towards a world in which people are no longer so desperate that they trust their lives to criminals to cross seas, desserts and borders in a too often disastrous attempt to provide their children with a better future.’

Professor Potgieter, who welcomed guests, stated that UKZN, was honoured and privileged to host the EU.

In June, said Potgieter, UKZN, in partnership with the EU, will be hosting a seminar that will highlight the issue of inclusivity in Higher Education, locating it within the recent attacks on foreign nationals.

‘We can talk at length about developing cultures of inclusion which includes issues of teaching and learning, our curriculum and engaging with our students in particular ways. Post the 2008 xenophobic attacks the University has continued to do research, train and engage with the issues that will lead to a peaceful society,’ she said.

She also thanked the EU for the continued support that it has given UKZN in an effort to boost its vision of being an African-led research university.

‘UKZN would like to thank the EU for its continued support which has been given to us to conduct research, for mobility of staff and students and essentially knowledge production which contributes to our goal of being an African-led research university. I thank the EU for your continued commitment to the strategic partnership, which you have with our government and how it has benefitted the UKZN, specifically higher education in SA.’

MEC Belinda Scott, stated that the EU’s motto of “United in diversity” signifies how Europeans have come together, in the form of the EU, to work for peace and prosperity, not only on the European continent but across the globe, including South Africa. 

‘It is from within this spirit “United in diversity” that South Africa has had a cordial and stable partnership with the EU since the advent of democracy in 1994.’

UKZNdabaOnline