About

Who we are​

Sahel Public Diplomacy Centre (SPDC) is a non-profit organization, driven by the belief that African people and societies must play a central role in the diplomacy and development processes that shape their futures. Unfortunately, there has been a long-standing gap in the engagement of African communities in both local and international diplomatic arenas. This lack of representation means that decisions affecting Africa are often made about its people, rather than with them.

As the saying goes, “Anything for us, without us, is against us.” This disconnect not only undermines the legitimacy of peacebuilding, democratic efforts, and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) but also limits the effectiveness of these initiatives in addressing Africa’s real needs.

Vision & Mission

SPDC’s Vision

SPDC’s vision is to build an inclusive diplomacy and development ecosystem that actively engages African people, promoting their values, beliefs, and future aspirations, ensuring that they lead and shape the continent’s path toward peace, democracy, and sustainable development.

SPDC’s Mission

SPDC is committed to empowering African communities and leaders to actively engage in both local and international diplomacy. Through public diplomacy, we bridge the gap between Africa and the world by fostering dialogue, building partnerships, and aligning global development goals with African cultural, historical, and social contexts. Our mission is to ensure that African perspectives are central to global efforts in achieving peace, democracy, and the SDGs.

SPDC Founder

Ali Eizaldeen

As someone whose origins are rooted in the Sahel region of Africa, I have always felt that the voices and perspectives of my people and the wider African continent—are often unheard or misunderstood on the global stage. This disconnect has created a diplomatic and development ecosystem that struggles with miscommunication, misrepresentation, and at times, chaos. It was clear to me that Africa’s unique experiences, aspirations, and challenges were not being adequately recognized or addressed in international diplomacy. This realization sparked a dream: to create a platform where the people of Africa, particularly those from regions like the Sahel, could be actively engaged in shaping their own narrative.

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I envisioned an organization that could bridge the gap between the world and African societies, fostering mutual understanding and respect through meaningful public diplomacy. The Sahel Public Diplomacy Centre (SPDC) is the realization of that dream. It is my hope that through this center, we can build a future where African voices are central to diplomatic and development conversations, where public diplomacy is not just about state-to-state relations, but about people-to-people connections. By doing so, we can create an atmosphere of shared values, trust, and cooperation—ultimately leading to stronger, more inclusive global partnerships.

Our Theory of Change

Foster meaningful engagement between Africa and the world, create lasting impact on global diplomacy and development, and inspire future generations to continue advancing Africa’s role on the global stage.

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1. ENGAGE

Objective: Foster active engagement between African communities and the global community through public diplomacy initiatives.

Key Activities:

  • Facilitate Public Diplomacy Platforms:
    Create opportunities for dialogue between African leaders, civil society, international organizations, and global policymakers. This includes organizing summits, conferences, and forums where African voices can shape global policy debates.
  • Build People-to-People Connections:
    Develop community-based initiatives and cultural exchanges that bridge African communities with the world. By empowering African citizens, the diaspora, and local communities to engage in dialogue with global stakeholders, SPDC fosters mutual understanding and cooperation.
  • Develop Strategic Partnerships:
    Establish partnerships with global organizations, governments, NGOs, and academic institutions to ensure that African perspectives are integrated into global discussions on development, security, governance, and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Short-term Outcomes:

  • Increased awareness and understanding of African issues and perspectives in global discussions.
  • Enhanced diplomatic and cultural exchanges between African countries and international actors.
  • A growing network of partnerships supporting Africa’s role in global diplomacy.

2. IMPACT

Objective: Create measurable, lasting impact through public diplomacy that strengthens Africa’s position in global decision-making and drives sustainable development.

Key Activities:

  • Influence Policy and Decision-Making:
    Use research, insights, and diplomatic engagements to influence global and regional policies in favor of Africa’s development priorities, including peacebuilding, economic growth, climate change, and security.
  • Support Achievement of the SDGs:
    Align public diplomacy efforts with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by fostering partnerships and collaborations that support African governments and communities in achieving these goals.
  • Monitor and Evaluate Outcomes:
    Continuously measure the effectiveness of engagement strategies, events, and partnerships to ensure that public diplomacy efforts lead to tangible outcomes, such as policy changes, improved international relations, and strengthened institutions.

Medium-term Outcomes:

  • Stronger representation of African countries in global governance institutions and processes.
  • Policy changes that benefit African development and security.
  • Tangible progress towards achieving the SDGs in African countries through international cooperation.

3. INSPIRE

Objective: Inspire future generations of Africans and global citizens to continue advancing Africa’s role in global diplomacy and development.

Key Activities:

  • Youth and Leadership Programs:
    Develop mentorship, leadership training, and youth engagement programs that empower the next generation of African leaders to participate in diplomacy and public policy on a global scale.
  • Showcase Success Stories:
    Highlight success stories of African leaders, diplomats, and communities who have created positive change through public diplomacy, providing role models and inspiration for future generations.
  • Promote Knowledge Sharing and Innovation:
    Facilitate the exchange of knowledge and ideas through academic partnerships, research programs, and cross-cultural learning, ensuring that future generations are equipped with the tools and inspiration to lead Africa’s global engagement.

Long-term Outcomes:

  • A new generation of African leaders actively shaping global diplomacy.
  • Sustained engagement between African and international stakeholders, driving long-term cooperation and innovation.
  • A lasting legacy of Africa’s contribution to global peace, development, and governance.

Through the Engage, Impact, and Inspire framework, the SPDC fosters grassroots public diplomacy that connects Africa with the global community, influences policies, and supports sustainable development. This approach creates lasting impacts on Africa’s global role, while inspiring future generations to continue advancing Africa’s voice on the world stage.

If you are interested in what we do, Please feel free to reach out.

Let’s start the journey together!

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