IDÉES-AFRIQUE, or the Institute for the Study of Contemporary Dynamics of the State and Societies in Africa, is a non-profit organisation based in Montreal. We operate as a think tank, research centre and consultancy firm. Our core mission is to reflect on the crucial challenges facing the African continent and to propose innovative solutions for public policy, academic research and practitioners.
Our vision is rooted in an ancient Akan maxim: “Fawodhodie ène obre na enam” (no independence without responsibility). This motto embodies our belief in the liberating and transformative power of knowledge. We firmly believe that Africa’s emancipation depends on the production and integration of diverse forms of knowledge. These forms of knowledge include:
Our mission, which gives concrete form to our vision, is guided by the principle of ‘Think global, act local’. It is based on global theoretical frameworks for development, in particular sustainable development and the Millennium Development Goals (Goal 8). Thus, IDÉES-AFRIQUE’s activities, initiatives and services are aligned with the following four pillars of sustainable development:
We favour a multidisciplinary and multidimensional approach, engaging a wide range of communities (academic, institutional, political and civil society). Our activities include informing public policy, academic research and publication, training, lobbying, mediation, strategic consultancy and business development. Our disciplines cover political science, sociology, economics, anthropology, demography, history, philosophy and management, enriched by a vast network of actors and institutions across Africa. Our areas of intervention and reflection include:
