CONCEPT
On 21 April, CIFAL Brussels and Voka organised Action Learning Day SDG 17: Partnerships in Practice, as part of the SDG Ambassador Community. The central theme, identified by the community itself: how to build strong, sustainable and mutually beneficial partnerships with actors in the Global South.
Presentations
Peter Wollaert opened the first session of 2026 by welcoming the SDG Ambassador Community, partners and guests. He set the scene for the day ahead, underlining that SDG 17 is not just a goal on paper; partnerships are at the very core of how we turn ambition into meaningful action.
Jean Van Wetter, CEO of Enabel, delivered a keynote on the evolving landscape of international development cooperation and the opportunities it creates for businesses, highlighting how the sector is shifting from traditional aid models toward long-term, reciprocal partnerships.
Drawing from his newly published book De eeuw van Afrika (The Century of Africa), VRT journalist Stijn Vercruysse invited us to look at the African continent with fresh eyes and how Africa’s growing geopolitical, economic and demographic influence makes it a key partner in shaping our shared future.
Interactive Marketplace
After the keynotes, participants joined an interactive marketplace, consisting of a meet-&-greet with organisations active in the Global South ( Enabel, Credendo, Exchange, Gadot Belgium, Close the Gap, Incofin, Flanders Investment and Trade, Ondernemers voor Ondernemers, Lignaverda and 4e Pijlersteunpunt) and fellow SDG Ambassadors to exchange experiences, explore collaboration opportunities and discuss what meaningful North–South partnerships look like in practice.
IN COLLABORATION WITH
