Book Daaf as a speaker.
Following the many journeys that have taken him to all corners of the African continent in recent years, Daaf can be booked for guest lectures and panel discussions.
As a speaker he aims to challenge our Eurocentric blind spots by adopting a “geopolitics from below” perspective – one that doesn’t place great powers but the people living in affected regions at the centre of analysis.
This is all the more urgent now that Europe is increasingly being pushed to the geopolitical sidelines and may find itself caught in a power struggle between China and the United States.
While he understands that geopolitical analysts such as Robert D. Kaplan justify their sometimes rather gloomy outlooks by arguing that a certain degree of pessimism saves lives, he believes this doesn't absolves us of the responsibility to search for solutions. To ‘think far’ (or ‘vérdenken’), as David Van Reybrouck puts it.
That's why Daaf concludes his lectures by offering the audience a number of ideas. Not because he claim these constitute the solution, but as a thought exercise: to provoke, to stimulate debate, and to encourage deeper reflection.
If you'd like to book Daaf as a speaker, please do not hesitate to get in touch or reach out on Sprekershuys.
Previous clients include the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Belgian Royal Institute for Defence, De Balie, University of Groningen and others.
Testimonials and endorsements from previous clients.
Sean Healy, Advisor, Médecins sans Frontières
“His work on the best practice to negotiate and achieve secure humanitarian access, was of a very high standard, and I was happy to distribute it to all our heads of mission, and recommend them that they read it.”
Noor Cornelissen, Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs
“Daaf’s lecture brought major geopolitical issues close to home. Through thought-provoking anecdotes and his close connection with Africa's next generation, he encourages reflection on the implications of foreign policy.”
Max Koffi, Director, Africa in Motion.
“Most people have two basic images of Africa: one that represents "the good" Africa: safaris, tribes, and Egypt's pyramids and another that represents "the bad" Africa: war, famine, poverty, and peril. In short, Africa is either Eden or Hell. Some of us hold just one of those extreme images in our mind, while most of us hold both. However, few of us spend much time thinking about the immense zone of possibilities that lies in between those two extreme images. That's where the vast majority of Africa's one billion people live. That’s what Daaf is promoting through The Bright Continent! Keep up your brilliant work!”
Erika Compatangelo, University of Groningen
"We hosted Daaf as our guest for a workshop about African Affairs and existing narratives. As students of International Relations, we tend to be very opinionated, critical individuals, as well as a tough audience. Nevertheless, Daaf was able to surprise us with unfiltered, original material, and to leave us inspired and enriched with new perspectives. Such a nice experience!"
Jeroen Dunk, Lecturer in Geography
“During his talk at the Afrikadag, Daaf told us about his work as a correspondent for various media outlets, and how he experiences that uplifting stories deriving from Africa are widely declined as those don’t fit the existing narrative about Africa in the western world. This further strengthens his ambition to debunk existing misconceptions and accommodate Africa’s narrative to its inimitable progress.”