Eurafrica: The Colonial Origins of the European Union

Sponsorsed by the Institute of European Studies at UC Berkeley and the Pacific Regional Office of the German Historical Institute Washington

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In order to think theoretically about our global age it is important to understand how the global has been conceived historically. 'Eurafrica' was an intellectual endeavor and political project that from the 1920s saw Europe's future survival - its continued role in history - as completely bound up with Europe's successful merger with Africa. In its time the concept of Eurafrica was tremendously influential in the process of European integration.

Today the project is largely forgotten, yet the idea continues to influence EU policy towards its African 'partner'. In his talk, Peo Hansen will recover a critical conception of the nexus between Europe and Africa - a relationship of significance across the humanities and social sciences. In assessing this historical concept the authors shed light on the process of European integration, African decolonization and the current conflictual relationship between Europe and Africa.

The keynote is part of the Institute of European Studies Graduate Student Conference, this year entitled "Dissonant Echoes of History: Contested and Divided Memory in 21st Century Europe," organized by Kyle Thomson and Blaze Joel.