At the beginning of the 21st century, the growth of the African continent’s potential and strategic value as a resource as well as consumer development market has become increasingly noticeable along with political stability. The ‘African continent’ has come to be recognized as a new emerging cooperative partner for the world market. Even though this perspective has been commonly recognized in the academic and pragmatic fields for a long time, African Studies could not take its rightful track. Though long overdue, we are now starting to take a voyage to enhance relations with African countries.

The Institute for Euro African Studies (IEAS) of Hanyang University at Seoul, Korea, by integration of hitherto separated English-speaking and French-speaking African research institutes, attempts to find a foothold for African studies. In the beginning, the IEAS implemented a strategy for Korean corporations and analyzed Africa society in general through the project named “Comprehensive Approach on Advancing towards Africa: Supporting Strategies for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises” from 2013 to 2018 and was selected as a superior research institute. Based on those efforts and accomplishments, the IEAS was also able to be designated as a Key Institute by National Research Foundation consecutively in 2018, which is a highly rare opportunity among the research institutes affiliated in universities.

As Key Institute the IEAS aims to create the cooperation model of Korean public diplomacy toward Africa by fully utilizing the research outcome and African networks. The study of public diplomacy is a new and expanding field. IEAS defines it as the public, interactive dimension of diplomacy which is not only African countries in nature, but also involves a multitude of actors and networks in local society. It is a key mechanism through which nations foster mutual trust and productive relationships. There is no single definition of the term. Ultimately, the IEAS will suggest the effective and new philosophy of public diplomacy and create the strategy parallel to the public diplomacy business model which accords with the regional characteristics in Africa.

To accomplish the goal, the IEAS is expanding its exchange with universities and research institutions as well as government, businesses, and NGOs in African countries. Based on these exchanges, the IEAS will further escalate a cornerstone for communication among Africa countries. We will also share our efforts with the public for providing useful information on Africa, and deliver a public diplomacy model which fully considers the characteristics of local society in Africa.

Thank you.