African View Staff Writer
September 3, 2025
In a powerful fusion of education, diplomacy, and historical reckoning, the Global Solidarity Network wrapped up its latest African Union Simulation Model this August, bringing together STEM School students under the bold theme: “Justice for Africans and People of African Descent through Reparations.” The theme echoes the African Union’s own 2025 summit focus, underscoring the urgency of addressing colonial legacies and systemic injustice.
Held across a series of immersive academic sessions, workshops, and policy-writing labs, the program welcomed a distinguished lineup of diplomats, African affairs experts, AU officials, and researchers. With a mission to prepare students for a high-stakes simulation of the African Union Summit which demands not just knowledge, but vision.
The curriculum was as ambitious as the theme itself. Students dove deep into topics ranging from the institutional structure of the AU to Egypt’s developmental role in the continent, water cooperation, and the African economy. They explored the legal frameworks of the AU and examined resolutions on reparations and justice. One standout session, “Our African Continent through Egyptian Eyes,” offered a unique cultural lens on continental identity and solidarity.
The program culminated in a full-scale simulation held at the historic Palace of Ali Ibrahim Pasha. Under the guidance of anthropological researcher and Global Solidarity Network founder Hassan Ghazaly, students transformed into delegates from thirty African nations and eight colonial powers, presenting thirty-eight position papers that tackled the continent’s most pressing demands.
From calls for psychological reparations to the rewriting of African history, including the acknowledgment of massacres, resource plundering, and the transatlantic slave trade students didn’t shy away from difficult truths. Their proposals reflected a deep understanding of historical trauma and a bold vision for restorative justice.
“This experience sharpened students’ awareness of African issues and honed their research, presentation, and debating skills,” Ghazaly said. “Preparing a young generation that is conscious of Africa’s challenges and capable of representing it with competence is a true investment in the continent’s future.”
Since its inception in 2012 as part of the International Awareness Program, the African Union Simulation Model has aimed to deepen Egyptian youth’s understanding of continental institutions and Egypt’s pivotal role in the AU since 1963. It’s one of many initiatives under the Global Solidarity Network, which includes the AfroMedia Initiative, Seeds Project for Popular Culture, Global South Solidarity School designed to foster unity, dialogue, and action across borders.
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