Days and Timing of the Conference

Regional Consultative Conference for the African Diaspora in Europe

1- Timing of the Conference :

The Regional Consultative Conference for the African Diaspora in Europe will take place at the Palais de Congres in Paris on :

11 September 2007 : Timing : 8h30 to 21h00

12 September 2007 : Timming : 9h00 to 17h00

150 representatives from the African Diaspora in France and 200 representatives from the rest of Europe, in particular the eight other European countries with significant Diaspora communities (excluding the United Kingdom), to consult on a number of issues of particular concern to the Diaspora in Europe.

The other main contributing countries are Belgium, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.

It is envisaged that the South African Minister of Foreign Affairs, other Ministers and senior representatives from the African Union will also attend the Conference in Paris.

2- The Palais des Congrès :

An exemplary setting for exceptional events, the Palais des Congrès is located at the crossroads of Parisian life. Since its creation by the Paris Chamber of Commerce and Industry in 1974, it has played an important role in the economic life and cultural development of the French capital.

Expanded and renovated in 1999, the Palais des Congrès is woven into the texture of Paris’ urban life, adding shadow and light, stability and movement, symmetry and asymmetry, black-and-white and colour, all balancing each other out according to the "poetry of contrasts".

This balance gives the Palais des Congrès de Paris its identity and contributes to its international renown.