On January 29, 2025, Togo’s Head of Diplomacy was the guest at the inaugural ceremony of the symposium commemorating 140 years since the Berlin Conference of 1884-1885.
In his speech, Prof. Robert Dussey emphasized that “140 years after the Berlin Conference, Africa intends to be at the center of its own decisions, to be self-determining, to speak for itself and to carry its own voice on the international stage. The current revival of the pan-African ideal on the continent and among the African diasporas should be understood as such.”
He also pointed out that the current generation of Africans belongs to an Africa that has decided to take its history and destiny into its own hands, to be itself on the great stage of universal history.

The event, held on January 29 and 30, 2025 at the KfW headquarters in Berlin, is under the patronage of the former Federal President of Germany, Mr. Horst Köhler, and the former President of the Republic of Liberia, Mrs. Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, who also took part in the opening ceremony.
The Symposium brings together a panel of experts to discuss the Berlin Conference and its significance in today’s world. It is jointly organized by the German Foundation for Africa, represented by its President Dr. Uschi Eid; the University of Dar es Salaam, represented by its Vice-Chancellor Prof. William-Andey Anangisye; and the Farafina Afrika-Haus in Berlin, represented by its Director Mr. Oumar Diallo.


For the organizers, such a symposium bringing together German, African and European political decision-makers, as well as representatives from academia, business and civil society, to discuss the Berlin Conference, address colonial history and achieve shared learning and memory, is a necessity in order to deepen the African-European partnership and discuss together perspectives for the future. Accordingly, various technical and political discussions will take place over the two days of the symposium, highlighting the past, present and future of Euro-African relations.
