GACS is an association founded on 11 September 1990 on the initiative of then three African students at the University of Turin, including John Amantchi and Diop Mamadou.
The idea of forming an association came about following advice and suggestions received from friends and the aim was to create a container where foreigners and Italians could interact.
Culture and sport were chosen because they are the two main vehicles that can unite people.
Over time, GACS organised numerous events and initiatives in different areas and cities in Italy and Europe. It organised and participated in African film and short film festivals all over the world. It has also established collaborations with various associations and public bodies.
GACS also has active development and economic support projects in Africa. In this regard, it operates in Cameroon, Mali and the Ivory Coast. In Cameroon it supports a women’s clothing cooperative in the city of Nkonsamba. In Mali, it opened a transport cooperative entirely made up of women in the city of Nyamakoro. Finally, in Côte d’Ivoire, in Grand Bassam, a project for the creation of small fruit juice-producing enterprises is being studied and analysed for feasibility. The projects launched and supported abroad have already allowed 42 people to return to their homeland.
GACS also forms, together with MiAfrica and the African Anti-Racist Committee, the association African Center, thus realising 20131223_092600[1]joint projects and shared initiatives.
Looking to the future, there is the intention to continue with the organisation of events and the support of entrepreneurial activities on site, also opening up to new countries, for example Senegal. Among future ambitions is to open an African intercultural centre in Turin on the model of those already present in different European cities and to start collaborations with associations like ours.
In GACS, there are currently 33 members who make up the Board of Directors and, since its foundation, they have already reached over 1,000 members from Italy and abroad.
The message that GACS leaves to those who read on our website is a signal, an idea of cooperation and collaboration. GACS aims to build bonds of friendship between immigrant and Italian citizens.