African Students Unite in Istanbul to Address Continent’s Issues

African students in Istanbul had their maiden appearance at the positivity forum organized by the African thinktank Platform, to tackle the issues that appeared crucial to the African continent. The event that took place at Istanbul University was an all-encompassing forum in which students converged and debated on a plethora of topics, from healthcare to technology to global issues and the economy.

Addressing Africa’s challenges

Souandaou Athoumani Ali, a student from Comoros and a presenter of the Platform, said the workshop seeks for a place to discuss the problems faced by Africa. Established in 2019, the Platform has played the role of a valuable data source for revealing trending topics through their plagiarism scanners and review dissertations in Turkey as per Ali’s insight. Overall, one’s objective is to give the newest understanding of African studies in Turkey based on international research and Afro-realist thinking.

Alhaji Abdoul Fathi Sanago, the Platform’s general coordinator, noted that the wide range of conversations at the workshop has been truly heartwarming. Presentations included a wide range of topics from politics to healthcare artificial intelligence and many more. The task delegation represents participants in deliberations to seek solutions for the infectious deceases and political anomie worsening Africa’s economy.

Inclusive participation

The Platform has been put forward by Sanogo as a network that is inclusive and invites African researchers, situated in any part of the world, to actively participate without limitations. Don’t forget about the partnership with non-African experts as you have stated. Firstly, the ice cream production was carried out in the Turkish language, that’s because it’s a connecting language for the Africans who are living in Turkey.

The Platform underlined the importance of a platform that is meant to allow African thoughts to be central, and also to bring forth the solutions that are got from the Africans to be on the table. The workshop highlighted equally the goal of producing ideas that will, first, be beneficial to Africa collectively.

The workshop facilitated a forum where the African students who are studying in Turkey would have a chance to present and discuss their empirical and conceptual findings. They actively participated in the interwoven discourses, delivering presentations in Turkish that contributed meaningfully to the common understanding of African academics. Such inputs aided in proving the breadth and depth of African academic writing.

Empowering African voices for change

At the Kwan Africa Workshop, participants have shared their optimism in the power of such initiatives in solving the challenges in Africa. The Platform will also aim to enhance the ongoing exchange and partnership even more, positioning locals as agents of change in addressing the primary African challenges. During the first Prafric workshop in Istanbul, a number of African students and scholars participated together in discussions focusing on the major problems facing Africa. 

The forum involved students in diverse conversations coming under the umbrella of a wide range of disciplines, such as health, international relations, and commerce, they broached problems of infectious diseases, political instability, and commercial dogmatism. The openness of the Platform as well as its observance of the African views spreads makes it all the more meaningful with regard to the exchange and collaboration between the Africans. At the end of the workshop, participants gave us hope as they shared how they felt like these initiatives could bring positive changes in other African countries.

This article originally appeared in TRT AFRIKA