EMMAUS, A PLACE TO LIVE AND RAISE AWARENESS

THE CONTEXT OF YOUR INITIATIVE

The Emmaus du Clermontois community is located in a small, rural village, a factor that makes the companions more isolated. Until 2015, the community was only known for being a shop. To breathe fresh life into the community and promote the movement’s values, we decided to open the community to become a place to live, hold discussions and improve our wellbeing together.
There are many organisations in the department, but each works on its own and there isn’t any real coordination between them, meaning that projects are less visible, and their impact is limited. Helping them to meet, get to know each other and join forces will boost our resources and enable us to become better known and understood.
It’s important to raise awareness among the general public (in the broadest sense) about civic values as this enables people to think for themselves and, in turn, to play an active role in society.
This awareness raising takes place through various forums (meetings on topics relevant to society, evenings and cultural excursions, sustainable development projects, etc.).
The objective is to become a key regional stakeholder together with the community and collectives, and thus to have a presence and voice.

THE ACTIVITIES CARRIED OUT AS PART OF YOUR INITIATIVE

Topics of evening events: migrants, the conditions in prisons, the Emmaus movement
Topics of cultural evenings: Toma Sidibé, theatre, a Christmas of solidarity

WHO IS INVOLVED FROM OUR GROUP?

The companions, two leaders, a team of volunteers.

WHICH PARTNERS ARE YOU WORKING WITH ON THIS INITIATIVE?

FUTURE PROSPECTS

This move to open up to the outside world has enabled the companions to tell people about their work and to gain recognition for their solidarity activities. Many companions now participate in other organisations (COLIBRIS, KAYAK) and take part in meetings (networks, general assemblies).
The move has also enabled everyone in the community (volunteers and companions) to refresh our knowledge about the movement’s values or learn about them for the first time.
Moreover, we have been able to introduce the Emmaus movement to the public and make people aware of the social inequality and injustice we’re fighting against.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO ADD ANY INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR INITIATIVE?

WHAT ARE YOUR PROSPECTS?

Looking for new partners (organisations, cultural associations).
Approach collectives’ elected representatives to raise awareness about the movement.
Develop our methods of communication.