The summit of Liberals and Democrats for Europe, the Pacific, African and the Caribbean (ALDEPAC) will be held in Dakar, Senegal on 1 to 3rd April.  African leaders from over 12 African States, including Presidents of Senegal, Rwanda, Tchad, Togo, Botswana, Nigeria and Niger will debate frankly with ALDE MEPs and Commissioner Louis Michel during the course of this conference.  The theme of this summit is Liberalism and Governance: the Social Liberal State. Johan Van Hecke,  MEP (VLD, Belgium) and co founder of ALDEPAC explains: "This conference will lead the European Parliament into a new radical term of dialogue with African Leaders. I expect the participants at this conference including many African leaders will talk candidly with Commissioner Louis Michel about their economic woes and social aims during conference sessions entitled, 'the role of the State', 'promotion of private initiative' and  'globalisation and the fight against poverty'".

ALDEPAC was formed in 2005 by the Liberal and Democratic members of the ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly in order to launch a formal network to strengthen their liberal democratic values. This cooperation is aimed at  promoting economic and social progress and a balanced and sustainable development.  Johan Van Hecke continues: "The concept of a liberal society is not in contradiction with the concept of a social society. True Liberalism invites us to define freedom, which must never be at the expense of others. Therefore it is time to approach Africa from a different viewpoint, and move from governance to a new era of dialogue. This forthcoming ALDEPAC conference will spearhead this new shift in policy". 

   The Program

   The Video

   The Video to download