WHY THE UNILAG JEAN MONNET MODULE

The exposure of Nigerian and indeed African undergraduate and postgraduate students is usually limited to study of some selected European languages. Such studies only focused extensively on language mastery aimed at communication n proficiency in order to work effectively in European companies and establishments in African and in Nigeria in particular.

Most of the graduates of these language programmes tend to see the knowledge as a meal ticket and not as a way of deepening their understanding of the culture and social system of the country whose language they studied. Over time and once they shift jobs to areas where such language is less relevant to their career aspirations, they tend to feel less concerned about the values and principles of the European country whose language they had studied. Most specifically, the existing programme focuses only on specific languages of specific countries. The principles and values of the EU as the leading global player hardly feature in the curriculum.

More so, most of these curricula were developed when there was so much anti-west slogan dominating the discourse among leading African scholars and policy makers. Therefore, the graduates of the existing programmes that have some element of EU studies are inadequately prepared, equipped and grounded in the contemporary EU policies, values and aspirations for the world and the developing countries in particular. The graduates were also not exposed to the political structure, social systems and policy of EU except the limited exposure they gain through the language programme of specific countries hence they had very little exposure to EU organisation structure, the values and aspirations. They were less conversant with the current contemporary practices of the other EU members as well as the significant roles EU play in their own countries and how the EU could and had been relevant to socio political development in their countries.

The lack of this exposure had robbed off on the quality of African countries domestic policy, engagement with EU as a bloc and EU member countries. Much of the valuable experience and best practices that could have been beneficial to African countries are not well harnessed and the education system was lacking in curriculum to effect the necessary changes that would fill this gap. Therefore, organising this module is to fill this gap and create a framework that can be scaled up to the whole of African countries and Universities in addressing the problem from the basics.

Using the undergraduate as the focal group helps to build the EU ideology, values, policies and contributions to the minds of the potential leaders of the continents. It also provides ample opportunity to catch them young and fresh. The inclusion of those in academics and public service as well in the private sector as facilitators is to have a broad-based approach and all-inclusive programme that creates a pool of experts who will become advocates of EU policies in Africa.

One unique feature of this programme is the introduction of EU Council simulation by participants. To make them appreciate and understand the decision-making process of the EU Council through a Mock EU Council. In addition, the adoption of one school at a time by concentrating on University of Lagos students is to deepen impact yet the facilitators are from Italy, Belgium, and South Africa, Kenya and Ghana hence providing a broader based approach to the learning experience and exposure of the participants and also giving the programme the widest coverage beyond the existing educational programme in which hardly anybody beyond the locals attends.

Another novelty in the programme is the progressive approach adopted. The Summer School on Africa-European Union Connectivity provides the breeding ground for new advocates for the EU policies and values, the Training Workshop on EU Policy Research and Analysis to be organised after the summer school builds on the gains from the summer school and equips the new advocates who attend the summer school plus the existing practitioners and advocate of EU with skills and tools to engage in rigorous research and in-depth analysis on issue relating to EU. The Conference on European Union and African Integration that will be organised after the Seminar and Work is to equip the participants the ability to engage in public speaking, paper presentation of policy dialogue on EU Africa integration issues .This will also allow all the participants to interact with academia, business communities, public officers and representatives of EU to discuss and present position papers on issues that they have learnt and using methods they have acquired to dissect the issues and problems identified in specific EU policy and programme and then make some useful suggestion on how Africans can leverage of experience of EU and the EU and Africa could form a greater partnership and promote joint EU global agenda.

Although the project mainly involves Italian professors and experts from the University of Pavia for past research and student mobility activities, its impact is replicable in other European countries, which for historical, cultural, political and economic reasons have strong relations with the African continent such as Germany, France, Netherlands, Spain and Portugal. These countries have important universities and research centres that promote and invest in teaching and research in African studies. However, the history and developments of the African continent are increasingly linked to those of the European continent and vice versa.

Module Description

The module will offer students who would otherwise not engage in European Studies an opportunity to learn about and discuss key aspects of the European Union and the process of European political institution, integration, cultural values, international Polies and relations. While imparting factual information on key aspects of the history, institutions and politics of the European Union will be prominent in the first part of the module, the second half aims to actively engage students in discussions about topical issues relating EU-Africa relations, policy and programmes such as EU-Africa Partnership relations. The third part will focus on development issues such as migration and AfCFTA, relation, trade, investment and bilateral relationship and perhaps more importantly, democracy, human rights and in reflections about the future of the African Union in the context of EU African Partnership. The module is interdisciplinary in nature and will include and integrate the areas of politics, cultural studies and economic studies. a proper understanding and appreciation of European history, languages and cultures, political economy and institutions not only by the policy makers but also by young scholars and public opinion shapers will go a long way in strengthening the AU-EU partnership. This will not only benefit the European policy advocacy and European values but also enhance the EU’s public diplomatic role. This will, more importantly, assist Africa in strengthening their partnership with European Union and achieve the goal of African Union and the Vision 2063.

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The Module is targeted at younger generations who are yet to form their opinions, made up their minds and also, amenable to change. The Module will serve as a framework to change the stereotypes that might have been built in the minds of the younger generations and help rebuild the strong ties between Africa and Europe that flourished in the past. The Module  would not only fill the vacuum but also provides an ample opportunity for younger generations to have access and understand the African-European historical relations and understand the working of European union as well as potentials of benefits and strong EU/AU integration.