European Parliamentarians with Africa

Preparations for the Africa Day seminar were done by a group consisting of the chair of the AWEPA Section in the Parliament, Mrs. Rosita Runegrund (kd), the chair of the Committee on Foreign Affairs´Africa Group, Mr. Gustav Blix (m), five African ambassadors (led by the ambassador of Botswana), and administrative staff from both the Committee of Foreign Affairs and the International Department of the Parliament.

Invitations were sent to all the Members of Parliament and published on the intranet-homepage, Helgonät. All government departments were invited, as well as embassies, local and international NGOs. Several large, private, Swedish companies with interests in Africa were also invited. In total, 230 people signed up for the seminar of which 15 were Members of the Swedish Parliament. There were twice as many Members of the Parliament in attendance this year when compared to preceding years. 

Originally, this year's Africa Day was planned to be held in the First Chamber but was moved to the Second Chamber due to the large interest. The seminar was held in English and interpreted to Swedish. Carrying on with established tradition, the seminar was opened by a vice speaker of the House. After the opening speeches, the keynote speaker Mr. Neo Moroka, Trade Minister of Botswana gave a speech that was much appreciated, followed by a panel discussion. Members of the panel included Mr. Moroka, Ambassador Anders Oljelund, Professor Arne Bigsten of Gothenburg Business University, Anna Kinberg Batra Moderate Party parliamentarian, Björn Blomberg Director of Swedfund and Katarina Eriksson from Tetra Pak Food for Development Office. The day's activities went according to plan and several participants concluded that this year's seminar outdid previous years.

Detailed notes were taken that will later be entered into a publication made by the Committee on Foreign Affairs. A short text will also be made on the International Department of the Parliament.