Association & Members
ANSA eV, the Africa Network for Students and Alumni (until 2020: Alumni Network Sub-Saharan Africa) considers itself to be a bridge-builder between African and German stakeholders. Our aim is to further inter- and trans-cultural exchange between Europe and Africa. Meanwhile, we also work to strengthen the exchange across disciplines – e.g. between the humanities and natural sciences.
Membership is open to everyone who was funded by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) or PROMOS to study, research or complete an internship in a country of Africa, as well as current or former DAAD scholarship holders from African countries. Other individuals can be granted membership in justified cases. We are happy to answer any queries about membership at: post@ansa-ev.org.
Apply for membership here.
As a registered non-profit association, we need a completed membership application form from you in order to register you as a member. You can download the membership application form here. Just fill it out and send it back to us at post@ansa-ev.org.
Conferences
A central activity of the Association is to enable knowledge transfer through thematic conferences. Conferences focus on various topics and take place in different cities all over Germany each year.
“Mental Health and Therapy: Experiences of the German and African Diaspora” (Hamburg 2023),
“Sustainable Innovations in Natural Resources Management” (Oldenburg 2019),
“Social Entrepreneurship” (Halle 2018)
“Lifelong Learning” (Hamburg 2017),
“European-African relations” (Giessen 2016),
“Modern Science and Spirtuality” (Bayreuth 2015),
“Urban Lifestyles” (Lingen 2014),
“Africa.Power.Media” (Leipzig 2013),
“Sustainability” (Frankfurt am Main 2012).
The conferences – organized by different members each year – offer the possibility to discuss specific topics with external experts, as well as to present their own research and projects, including those independent from the conference topic.
In a casual atmosphere, during activities such as city tours and team cooking, participants can get to know each other on a personal level too.
Participants also get acquainted with the variety of Germany’s regions as the conferences are held at alternating locations all over the country.
The annual conferences are also open to non-members. DAAD / PROMOS alumni and scholarship holders may receive a travelling allowance from DAAD.
To stay informed about ANSA activities and receive the invitation to the ANSA conference, register for our mailing list here.
Member Meetings & Activities
In addition to the conferences, ANSA organizes yearly Strategy and Work Meetings that are only open to members. Here members can benefit from each other’s practical knowledge in Skills Workshops. These meetings are also the time to work on the various ANSA projects.
Working groups
ANSA Conference: Thanks to our conference working group, we all get to have awesome experiences every year as we host our famous ANSA Conferences. The beauty of this group is that it changes from year to year – so you can always expect something new at every ANSA conference. Read about our previous conferences. If you are interested in becoming part of the working group that decides on conference topics, locations, speakers and so on, please contact event@ansa-ev.org.
ANSA Academic: This working group is responsible for planning our other educational activities outside our conference and members’ strategy and work meetings. Among those are our webinars.
ANSA Public Relations: Committed to increasing our visibility on the Internet, particularly on social media, this working group serves as a connecting element between all association’s activities. Reach out to Boineelo Moyo and Clara Hippach with any questions you may have.
ANSA Photo Group: The idea for an ANSA photo exhibition also emerged from a strategy and work meeting. ANSA currently has two photo exhibitions, that are traveling through Germany: ” Merk + würig / Note + Worthy ” and ” Happy People “. A call for pictures for a third photo competition is ongoing. You can contact the ANSA photo group at photo@ansa-ev.org.
In addition to participating in these working groups, ANSA members are also involved in a range of networking activities.
ANSA Insights (No longer in existence since 2021): The strategy meetings were the starting point for the ANSA Insights. Until 2019 the Insights have been published in the form of a magazine twice a year . Since 2020 the articles are published in the form of a blog under the categories ” What ANSAs think “, ” What ANSAs do ” and ” ANSA News and Networking “. The focus lies on the activities and research of members, covering many different countries and disciplines. Research and projects are presented short and comprehensible for people from other disciplines as well.
If you are interested in joining any of these groups, feel free to contact the ANSA Board at post@ansa-ev.org
Expert Database
ANSA makes the network’s expertise accessible with a public database of all its members. The search function can be used to find contacts in specific countries and topics. ANSA members are available to be contacted – i.e. for future DAAD / PROMOS scholarship holders who want to find out more about their host country in advance.
History & Funding
The first network activities were initiated by DAAD in 2009. The official founding of the association took place in November 2011. The association continues working closely with the DAAD. ANSA applies for funding from DAAD for larger projects such as conferences. All further activities are financed through membership fees, currently 9 € per member per year. As a charitable non-profit organization, donations to ANSA eV are tax deductible.
Contact
Questions regarding the association, membership, conferences, insights or other projects can be sent to:
post@ansa-ev.org.