Before the launch of the African University on Youth and Development organized in Cidade Velha, Cabo Verde this week, the North-South Centre of the Council of Europa and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Cooperation and Regional Integration of Cabo Verde organised the workshop “dissemination of the North-South Centre activities: an instrument of the external action of the Council of Europe”.
The participants included representatives from Governmental Entities, Public Institutions of Cabo Verde, North-South Centre Representatives, Diplomatic Missions accredited in Cabo Verde, Media professionals, Academia, and Civil Society representatives.

The opening session featured welcome remarks from the National Director of Foreign Policy and Regional Integration, Carlos Semedo, followed by H.E. the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Dr. Miryan Vieira, and from Pilar Morales, Executive Director of the North-South Centre. 

During the workshop, the North-South Centre's medium-term strategy for 2024-2027, "Enhancing the Council of Europe's external dimension," was presented, as well as the unique nature of the Council of Europe's conventions open to States that are not Member States of the Council of Europe. 

For example, a section was dedicated to the Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence (Istanbul Convention) and the Convention on the protection of children against sexual exploitation and sexual abuse (Lanzarote Convention), the MEDICRIME Convention, the Conventions in the field of Sport; among others.

The work priorities of Cabo Verde within the North-South Centre of the Council of Europe were identified, notably focusing on educating young people, but especially on the promotion of human rights in a collaborative effort to find solutions to common challenges.

Dr. Sonia Andrade, from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Cooperation and Regional Integration, stated “The Ministry welcomes the organisation in partnership with the North-South Centre, of this workshop to publicise the activities of the Council of Europe's North-South Centre, with a view to re-launching contacts between the two parties and raising Cabo Verde's awareness of the scope of the Centre's activities and the opportunities it offers. Cabo Verde, as the only sub-Saharan member of the NSC, wishes to be more active and contribute to increasing the visibility and external action of the Council of Europe on the African continent, linking this objective to the Special Partnership established between Cabo Verde and the European Union since 2007.”

Since Cabo Verde became a member of the North-South Centre in 2010, this occasion has provided an opportunity to reflect on the various collaborative opportunities that have arisen over nearly 15 years, namely illustrated by an intervention from Dr. Vera Duarte, first North-South Prize of the Council of Europe's Laureate. It has also served to reaffirm Cabo Verde's commitment to the work and objectives of the North-South Centre. The event highlighted past achievements and explored future avenues for cooperation, reinforcing our shared determination to promote fundamental values especially among young people.