Although 39.5% of Members of the European Parliament are women, Black women continue to be severely underrepresented. Of the 705 elected Members of the European Parliament, only five are women of African descent.It was therefore a special honour to speak at the Afropolitan Black Europe event with other Black women about the very particular experiences, challenges and obstacles [...]

Last week, the European Youth Event 2021 took place. At the highlight of the event last Friday, a group of twelve activists of the "Black Lives Matter" movement from Nuremberg travelled to Strasbourg at the invitation of MEP Dr Herzberger-Fofana. Strasbourg, 08.10.2021 At the invitation of MEP Dr Herzberger-Fofana, who sits for the Greens/EFA in the European Parliament, [...]

The takeover of the Afghan government by the Taliban has prompted the European Parliament to convene an extraordinary meeting of the Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET) and the Committee on Development (DEVE). ... We are all still in shock from the Taliban takeover. We are in a state of emergency and the withdrawal of European troops is [...].

The penalty goal scorers Jadon Sancho, Marcus Rashford and Bukayo Saka were racially insulted on social media after losing the European Championship final against Italy. In this incident we see anew how little intact our society is in terms of overcoming racism in 2021 - and how wafer-thin the inhibition thresholds are. Three failed goal kicks by great football players [...]

On Wednesday 23 June 2021, MEPs will debate the report on sexual and reproductive health and rights in the European Union, followed by the plenary debate and vote. In the report, MEPs criticise the extremely restrictive laws of some EU Member States that de facto prohibit abortion. The European People's Party has adopted its own [...]

© European Union 2021 - EP/Philippe Buissin I am speaking today in plenary on the commitments of the European Union at the Nairobi Summit. From 12 to 14 November 2019, a delegation from the Commission on Women's Rights and Gender Equality and the Commission on European Parliament Development took part in the [...]

World Refugee Day is an international day of remembrance established by the United Nations to pay tribute to refugees around the world. It was first observed worldwide on 20 June 2001 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the 1951 Refugee Convention. Every year on 20 June, World Refugee Day celebrates the power [...]...

© European Union 2021 - Source : EP On 08.06.2021, I intervened in a plenary session on the NDICI - Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument 2021-2027 - Global Europe. We discussed the NDICI 2021-2027 in the DEVE Committee on Development, which was subsequently voted on in plenary. The NDICI, also called Global Europe, is [...]

Today is World Environment Day. "The Sauti Youth Project has organised a virtual exchange for this: How can we ensure that youth voices are taken into account in the fight against global warming? Indeed, the #Covid19 crisis and its impact on the economy and social life provide an opportunity to review the equal partnership between Africa and the EU [...]

This op-ed was first published in the May issue of the Italian Magazine Formiche. The EU and its member states have various roles and interests in the Sahel region that stretches from the West to the East across the African continent. The EU Strategy for the Sahel ('European Strategy for security and development in the [...]

After the conclusion of five years of negotiations between representatives of the German government and the Namibian government, Heiko Maas spoke on 28 May 2021, among other things, about the massacres of indigenous people in Namibia perpetrated by German colonial troops between 1904 and 1908: "We will now officially refer to these events as what they were [...]".

Our online event "Voices of Black European Women - Making Diverse Experiences, Life Realities and Narratives Visible" took place on 27 May 2021. With this exchange of experts, we wanted to make the experiences of different women in Germany and Europe visible and make their voices heard. I am happy that in the spirit of the UN Decade for People of African Descent (2015-2024), we were able to meet with motivating Black European [...]

Together with the Development (DEVE) and the Women's Rights and Gender Equality (FEMM) Committees, a "Hearing" (hearing) on combating inequalities in so-called developing countries in the light of the COVID-19 pandemic took place on 26.05.2021. I spoke about the fact that women and young people all over the world are affected by the pandemic [...]

How is Europe doing? What does Europe mean to me and what would I like to give young people to take with them on their way? That's what I talked about with Theresa Leppert, BJR's European Youth Policy Officer, on the occasion of Europe Day on 9 May 2021. Europe means diversity and is a peace project. I use the three words: diversity, solidarity, peace to describe my vision of Europe for [...]...

On 11 May 2021, the Istanbul Convention, the Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence, turned ten years old. The international treaty represents a milestone in the fight against violence against women and domestic violence and Germany, along with 33 other EU countries, has also signed the Istanbul Convention and on 1 [...].

© European Union 2021 - EP/photographer On 10 May 2021, I chaired the Development Committee meeting (DEVE Committee). There was an exchange on "Forced displacement situation - global challenges and prospects" with Filippo Grandi, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.

In the webinar we discuss with representatives from politics and civil society about challenges and difficulties on the way to politics for women. We still have a long and rocky road ahead of us to achieve our goals for all women and diversity and equality in Europe.

Press release by Dr Pierrette Herzberger-Fofana, MEP, on EUROPE Day on 9 May 2021 Europe Day is on 9 May. We celebrate and commemorate the idea that we have been living united in peace in Europe for decades. Besides solidarity and peace, Europe means diversity. Diversity is not just a word. In order to finally make this understandable and tangible for all [...]

Je suis très honorée de faire partie du panel des AWE Awards 2021 "Most outstanding Women and Men during the Pandemic". Voici mon discours à cette occasion : " L'invisibilité des femmes noires dans le paysage sociopolitique actuel nécessite une discussion approfondie. Victimes de discriminations multiples et d'inégalités croisées, elles ont été plus particulièrement touchées [...]

As an MEP and Vice-Chair of the Development Committee, I am particularly concerned about the relations between countries on the African continent and Europe in the long term. This includes topics such as food security and sustainable agriculture as well as background on African bananas @afruibana

"Le leadership des Femmes de la Diaspora : un combat intersectionnel ?" "Date : 20 avril 2021Heure : 18.00-19.30 (CET) Quand des femmes d'origine Africaine accèdentent à des postes de décision dans la société, dans les médias ou en politique, elles incarnent au quotidien deux impératifs sociaux : la lutte contre le racisme et le sexisme. Dès lors, quelle [...]

Dear citizens of Erlangen of the Muslim faith, for the beginning of the fasting season "Ramadan" I send you and your communities my best wishes. Unfortunately, Ramadan will take place again this year under the extraordinary Corona circumstances that have changed public life unprecedentedly. This year, too, Ramadan will have a different face, it will "taste" different and [...]

#MEPsAgainstRacism! #EU MEPs against racism! Today, on the International Day against Racism, we are facing major challenges. One of them is found on a virtual level and permeates the world in a dangerous way: Hate on the net. The anonymization of one's identity, which is possible on the Internet, provides an opportunity for racist statements, some of which are filled with boundless hatred. […]

On 19 March 2021, the virtual European Summit against Racism will be held for the first time. I am glad that the Action Plan against Racism will be implemented by holding the Anti-Racism Summit. In the framework of ARDI, the Antiracism and diversity Intergroup there is the EU ANTI-RACISM SUMMIT CAMPAIGN. Here you can follow the Anti-Racism Summit live online: https://www.antiracism-eusummit2021.eu/live/ https://herzberger-fofana.eu/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Summit.mp4

Dear Minister Herrmann, in the context of European and German migration policy there is a lot of talk about integration or failed and successful integration. The 13-year-old girl Anahit H. is an example of so-called "successful" integration. As a pupil of the Ohm-Gymnasium Erlangen well integrated into the social structures of the city, recognized as a friend, classmate and pupil, she became [...]

On the occasion of International Women's Day, Dr. Pierrette Herzberger-Fofana pleads for an intersectional approach and highlights the Istanbul Convention.

Young Afro-Germans are accompanying my work as a Member of the European Parliament this year. I am happy about the cooperation with young people.

On 24/02/2021, we held our webinar on the role of development and European Union humanitarian aid in combating the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The event was held in French and English with translation. You can listen to the recording of the fascinating discussion with the participants online here. I would like to take this opportunity to once again [...]

"The revision of the Sahel strategy provides the European Union with the opportunity to truly overhaul its approach. The strategy must put the people of the Sahel at its heart and meet the needs of the most vulnerable, while respecting the principles of aid effectiveness." Dissan Gnoumou & Dr Pierrette Herzberger-Fofana Together with [...]

In February 2021, another article of mine appeared in The Parliament Magazine on the situation of humanitarian aid during the COVID-19 pandemic. "In the Development Committee (DEVE), we have examined the pandemic and its consequences in developing countries, with differing opinions, reports and exchanges of views with relevant stakeholders. (...)" "My position as shadow rapporteur [...].

Our society is moving towards ever greater gender equality. Nevertheless: at the beginning of the 21st century, practices and conditions exist that are diametrically opposed to this welcome development. As long as women and girls in this world are victims of discrimination and gender-based violence, we must fight resolutely to secure the physical integrity of every human being. […]

The new EU-Africa strategy must be the necessary step that finally transforms our relations with the African continent. Not just on paper. We have been accompanied over the last few years by numerous discussions on equal partnership, and I believe that it is only now - with this new strategy - that we will be able to [...].

Sometimes one wonders whether one should be stunned or, actually much worse, unsurprised in the face of such a tragic incident: The Saturday before last, January 9, at 8:22 p.m. Central European Time, a young man died in a Brussels hospital after losing consciousness shortly before at a police station. His name was Ibrahima Barrie. One and a half [...]

Today (Thursday 21 January, from 8:30), Members of the European Parliament will debate and vote on their demands for gender equality. The European Commission sets out strategic objectives to strengthen women's rights and gender equality in the EU in its Gender Equality Strategy 2020-2025 of March 2020. The [...]

Regarding the events in the United States on January 06, 2021. I am deeply shocked, shocked and deeply hurt in my soul as a Democrat that the stronghold of American democracy, the Capitol in Washington, has been attacked so openly and with such outrages. These outrages are nothing more and nothing less than an attack on the [...]

On November 25, as every year since 1960, non-violence for women is commemorated. The International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women is observed in memory of the three Mirabal sisters, Dominican opponents of the regime, also known as "Las Mariposas" ("The Butterflies"). They were kidnapped and murdered in 1960 by secret service agents of dictator Rafael Trujillo. The deputies [...]

Debates , Mercredi 27 novembre 2019 - Strasbourg "Madame la Présidente, le nouvel accord Union européenne-ACP sera l'occasion de nouer des relations de partenariat sur un pied d'égalité, basées sur un véritable partenariat et non sur une relation paternaliste. Everything depends on the outcome of the negotiations, which is already problematic. Indeed, with the opening of free trade, [...]

Debates , Jeudi 16 janvier 2020 - Strasbourg 'Madam President, the situation in Nigeria, the largest country in Africa, concerns us all. I am particularly concerned about the deterioration of the security situation and generalised violence, which are causing massive population displacements and a deterioration in humanitarian needs. […]

"(FR) Madam President, the partnership between the European Union and Africa is based on a common strategy that underpins the new political cooperation on the basis of agreed values, shared equally, and which defines these relations. The new agreements on this strategy were concluded at the European Union-Africa summit in [...].

"(FR) Mr President, the Republic of Guinea is going through a difficult period, marked by widespread violence that is threatening democratic stability. Political power and sovereignty are and must remain in the hands of the people. The will of the people must be respected and reflected in the institutions of the state. Since last year, when a referendum [...]

Erlangen MEP Pierrette Herzberger-Fofana puts her hopes in US Vice President. ERLANGEN - "Kamala Harris has made history," says Pierrette Herzberger-Fofana from Erlangen. The 71-year-old is the first Afro-German to sit in the European Parliament for the Green Party and has experienced a lot of discrimination. She hopes that the change of power in Washington will also boost the Afro-German movement. The joy about the [...]

Live webinar: November 7th, 2020, 3:00-17:00 p.m.

Ladies and Gentlemen, I cordially invite you to our webinar today, 5.11.2020 at 7 pm. "End of the line migration?! Where do the discourse lines run in the racism debate?" Yours sincerely -Dr. phil. Pierrette Herzberger-FofanaMember of the European Parliament (MEP)Députée au Parlement européenBât.Wiertz 07UOO160 Rue WiertzB- 1047 Bruxelles

"Black history Month EU: EU anti-racism policies and its impact on the situation of people of African descent" on 27 October 2020 - 16:00-17:30

In times of the Covid-19 pandemic, there have been many changes to our way of working. Unfortunately, I was not able to take part personally in the virtual conference of European Sustainable Development Network (ESDN) in cooperation with the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety. However, I had the pleasure [...]

At the online exchange organized by the Department of Education and Sports, the Department of Labour and Economy and the Department of Culture of the City of Munich in cooperation with the Migration Advisory Board and the umbrella organization of migrant organizations in Munich and the surrounding area and MORGEN e. V. under the patronage of Mayor Dieter Reiter we were able to talk to the participants about the EU [...]

(FR) At a time when the European Commission has embarked on a new phase of partnership with Africa and when the post-Cotonou negotiations are on the point of being concluded, we should ask ourselves the following question: has the quality of our relations changed? Quels enseignements pouvons-nous tirer des crises causées par la pandémie Covid-19 pour une révision [...]

It is very important for me to have a close exchange with the diaspora. They have a special view of the EU-Africa relationship and play a central role in its renewal. "I encourage both Africa and Europe to look closely at this relationship, including tragic / violent moments, setbacks and conflicted issues, in order to come [...]

Link to registration: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_wYT-NbXkQdSM6U3ILxjpCg Relations sur un même pied d'égalité Afrique-Union Européenne : mytheu ou réalité ? At the moment when the Commission Européenne has embarked on a new phase of partenariat with Africa and when the post-Cotonou negotiations are on the point of being concluded, we can ask ourselves the following question: the quality of our relations has changed? Quels [...]