At this week’s WACREN 2026 conference in The Gambia, NORDUnet colleagues are contributing to collaborative work that may not always make headlines, but is essential to strengthening research and education networks globally.
Licia Florio and Erik Kikkenborg from NORDUnet’s Strategic Engagement team are working with partners from across Africa and beyond. Their participation spans plenary sessions, such as the Goodwill Messages, as well as smaller, more focused discussions where ideas are explored, challenged, and developed further.
Reflecting on his involvement in the WACREN NREN Academy, where he led several sessions, Erik noted: “I left the room feeling hopeful.” It is a simple reflection, but one that captures the value of bringing people together to share experience and move things forward.
Through the AfricaConnect4 initiative, NORDUnet continues to support WACREN in developing above-the-net services. This includes contributions to open-source video platforms for digital learning, as well as engagement in CEO workshops within the NREN Academy, focusing on long-term sustainability and strategic development.
In parallel, sessions such as the Trust & Identity Birds of a Feather (BoF) highlight the importance of sharing operational experience—what works, what does not, and how to build trusted, interoperable services across regions.
Work like this is part of NORDUnet’s broader commitment to international collaboration. By working closely with partners and contributing to shared initiatives, NORDUnet helps turn common ambitions into practical, scalable solutions that benefit the global research and education community.
