Dear scholars,

The Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), established in 2000, serves as a mechanism for collective dialogue between China and African countries engaged in South-South cooperation. The 2024 FOCAC Summit will be held in Beijing from Sept. 4 to 6 under the theme “Joining Hands to Advance Modernization and Build a High-Level China-Africa Community with a Shared Future.” The summit will be attended by the leaders of FOCAC's African members, as well as representatives from Africa and international organizations. As the world today undergoes major changes unseen in a century, the booming of the “Global South,” represented by China and Africa, is profoundly shaping the course of world history. As a result, close cooperation between China and Africa is critical for both countries and the entire world.

In celebration of the fourth FOCAC summit, we aim to enhance public understanding of the forum by inviting you to share your experiences on China-Africa cooperation and your insights into further promoting it. We are therefore calling for submissions under the theme of “Me and China-Africa Cooperation.”

I. Requirements

1. Share your personal experiences, stories, insights, and opinions related to the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) or its associated activities (such as the China-Africa Think Tanks Forum, etc.). The content of your submission should include but is not limited to: the Chinese path to modernization and its interaction with Africa’s industrialization efforts, the opportunities, challenges, achievements, and experiences encountered by both China and Africa in their joint modernization efforts; and the collaborative establishment of a high-level community with a shared future for China and Africa, etc.

You can write in any style with a minimum of 1,500 characters in Chinese or 800-1,000 words in English.

2. All submissions will be evaluated based on originality, research depth, readability, and whether they convey a positive attitude.

3. All submissions should be original. If your submission has been previously published, please provide the sources.

II. Time Period

Please send your submissions to mengm0908@126.com between now and Sept. 30, 2024. The email subject line should be: “Me and China-Africa Cooperation” - author name - article name.

III. Awards

There will be first, second, and third prizes awarded. The winners will receive a certain amount of remuneration, and all accepted papers will be published on the WeChat Official Account of the Institute of African Studies, Zhejiang Normal University. Additionally, the papers will be recommended to China Daily and Tide News.

IV. Procedure

All paper submissions will be reviewed and evaluated by relevant experts. The results will be announced, and royalties will be paid before October.                   

Institute of African Studies, Zhejiang Normal University

August 5, 2024