Stay informed for the recent updates, and seize opportunities to get involved. Below you will find the most recent calls for contributions from the PolyCIVIS Research, Policy and Teaching Work Packages.
On 15 July 2026, the University of Bucharest hosted the workshop "The Polycrisis in Perspective: Findings, Challenges and Possible Responses through Interdisciplinary and Comparative Lenses", bringing together researchers, academics, students and partners both on-site at Villa Noël and online. The event marked an important opportunity to disseminate and discuss the key outcomes of the PolyCIVIS project while fostering interdisciplinary dialogue on the complex challenges posed by today's interconnected crises.
The workshop featured an opening keynote exploring historical perspectives on crisis management, followed by two thematic panels. The first panel examined the European Union's responses to multiple crises, addressing issues such as unity, fundamental rights and European legal frameworks. The second panel shifted the focus to Africa, highlighting research on youth, governance, migration, biodiversity and public policies, and showcasing the valuable contributions of emerging scholars from across the continent.
By encouraging exchanges across disciplines, institutions and regions, the event reinforced the PolyCIVIS network's commitment to strengthening Euro-African cooperation in research, policy and education. It also provided a platform to reflect on the project's achievements and the innovative approaches developed throughout its three-year journey, while inspiring continued collaboration to address the interconnected challenges of the global polycrisis.
On Friday, 26 June 2026, the Université libre de Bruxelles (ULB) welcomed His Excellency Henry Tachie-Menson, Ambassador of Ghana to the Kingdom of Belgium and Head of Mission to the European Union, accompanied by Mohammed Sheriff Iddrisu, Minister-Counsellor at the Embassy of Ghana, for a high-level meeting dedicated to the PolyCIVIS project and its future perspectives.
The Ghanaian delegation was received at the ULB Rectorate by Prof. François Heinderyckx, CIVIS Advisor to the Rector of ULB and PolyCIVIS Project Advisor, together with Andrew Bradley, PolyCIVIS Scientific Coordinator.
The meeting provided an opportunity to present the history and international engagement of ULB, the development and vision of the CIVIS Alliance, and the objectives, achievements, and long-term impact of the PolyCIVIS project. Discussions highlighted the project's contributions to research, education, policy development, and communication, demonstrating how PolyCIVIS has fostered meaningful collaboration between European and African higher education institutions in addressing complex societal challenges through the lens of polycrisis.
Particular attention was given to the valuable role of the University of Cape Coast, Ghana, as an active PolyCIVIS partner, reflecting the project's strong commitment to balanced Euro-African cooperation and knowledge exchange.
The meeting also served as an opportunity to discuss future collaboration beyond the current project, including the upcoming PolyCIVIS event that will take place in Brussels on 23 September 2026. Participants reaffirmed their shared commitment to strengthening partnerships that promote academic cooperation, policy dialogue, and innovative approaches to addressing interconnected global crises.
We sincerely thank Ambassador Henry Tachie-Menson and Minister-Counsellor Mohammed Sheriff Iddrisu for their visit and their interest in the PolyCIVIS initiative. Their engagement reinforces the importance of continued collaboration between European and African partners in building resilient and sustainable responses to today's global challenges.
How can Africa and Europe empower young people to navigate a world shaped by conflict, migration, climate change, and other interconnected crises?
Fresh from the PolyCIVIS Network's June 2026 Final Conference, the Aix-Marseille Polycrisis Declaration brings together 10 recommendations of African and European academics, stakeholders, and youth-focused experts. The Declaration recognizes young people not only as those affected by the polycrisis but also as key actors in peacebuilding, climate action, innovation, and social change.
By promoting meaningful youth participation, inclusive governance, and support for youth-led initiatives, the Declaration presents a shared vision for building more resilient and sustainable societies across Africa and Europe.
Read the Declaration and discover how youth agency can help shape responses to today's most pressing global challenges.
The PolyCIVIS Final Conference will take place from 2 to 5 June 2026 at the Maison Méditerranéenne des Sciences Humaines et Sociales in Aix-en-Provence, bringing together researchers, experts, academics, and students from Africa and Europe for four days of dialogue, collaboration, and collective reflection on the challenges of the polycrisis and the pathways toward resilience and cooperation.
As the concluding gathering of the PolyCIVIS project after three years of collaboration, the conference will highlight the network’s major achievements in research, policy, teaching, and communication, while opening discussions on future cooperation and resilience-building across Euro-African contexts. The programme includes scientific sessions, policy discussions, pedagogical exchanges, cultural activities, and working meetings dedicated to addressing the complexity of today’s interconnected global challenges.
Participants will also have the opportunity to explore the project’s key outcomes, including the edited volume Facing the Polycrisis Together: Context and African-European Perspectives, and to engage in collective reflections on sustainability, youth resilience, governance, climate change, migration, and peacebuilding.
Read more about the conference
The Polycrisis & Policy WP has released five new policy briefs addressing some of today’s most pressing and interconnected global challenges. From climate change and geopolitical instability to rising debt and the water–energy–food nexus, these briefs provide evidence-based insights and practical policy recommendations. They highlight the importance of stronger cooperation between Europe and Africa, exploring topics such as ocean governance, water management, economic vulnerability, and resilience to climate shocks.
On Wednesday, 25 September, from 11:00 to 13:00 CEST, academics from the PolyCIVIS network came together to explore this critical question in an internal hybrid working session led by the teaching work package (WP4), co-led by Makerere University (MAK), Kampala, Uganda, and Paris Lodron University Salzburg (PLUS), Austria.
With contributions from the research and policy work packages (WP2 and WP3), this session focused on leveraging existing courses and lessons from previous Blended Intensive Programs (BIPs) to develop a comprehensive interdisciplinary curriculum on polycrisis. The discussion also covered strategies for engaging students and forging external partnerships to enhance the quality of joint programs. Students from member universities also participated in the session, offering feedback and sharing ideas for future courses, exchanges and meetings.
