Date: 25–28 June 2025
Venue: Faculty of Arts of Charles University, Novotného lávka, Prague Municipal Library, FAMU, Academic Conference Centre
Project Managers: Marcela Rajtorová and Kristýna Bernerová

Introduction:
ECAS 2025 transformed Prague into a four-day hub of global scientific and cultural dialogue. This year’s edition was held under the theme “African, Afropolitan, and Afropean Belongings and Identities”, opening discussions on the complexity of identities and their many forms across both history and the present.

For the first time in history, the conference took place in Central Europe – in the very heart of Prague. It also marked 20 years of ECAS, whose first edition was held in London in 2005. Over the past two decades, it has grown into the largest and most prestigious event dedicated to African studies in Europe, regularly attracting hundreds of experts, researchers, and students from all over the world.

Main Programme:
The programme in Prague featured keynote lectures, plenary debates, round tables, panels, and workshops. Participants explored topics such as postcolonial histories, migration, political stability, crime, cultural identity, and environmental challenges. Special focus was also placed on sustainable development, education, modern technologies, and the role of women and young people as key actors of today’s transformations.

Migration was presented not only as a statistical phenomenon but above all as a human story, interlinking social, economic, and political dimensions. Discussions on the decolonisation of African studies highlighted how new perspectives can broaden our understanding of Africa and its global contexts.

Cultural and Social Dimension:
Beyond the academic programme, the conference offered a rich cultural agenda – film screenings, exhibitions, a fashion show, and artistic performances, all of which showcased African culture and everyday life in its diversity.

A highlight was the social evening on the boat EUROPEA (27 June 2025), where participants enjoyed a buffet dinner, live music, and friendly conversations against the unforgettable backdrop of Prague by night. This part of the programme emphasised that the conference is not only an academic forum, but also a place for meeting, sharing, and building new partnerships and friendships.

Conclusion:
The Prague edition of ECAS 2025 was more than just a scientific congress – it became a vibrant platform interconnecting scholarship, culture, and human stories. It reaffirmed that open dialogue between continents is key to deeper understanding and to finding ways of tackling global challenges together.

Special thanks go to Project Managers Marcela Rajtorová and Kristýna Bernerová and their team for their excellent organisation.