Violations of fundamental rights, persistent gender inequalities, climate and environmental conditions that are deteriorating and causing harm, the privatisation of common goods, etc. This is the global context that the Emmaus movement is tackling. Faced by these unacceptable situations, Emmaus places people at the heart of its model.

Wherever it works, the Emmaus movement is confronted by the spread of poverty and exclusion caused by political choices that most often favour the interests of the most powerful and hinder the achievement of a successful social and ecological transition. To confront this, the Emmaus groups create and develop economic activities that guarantee respect for social and environmental rights. 

Thanks to the waste collection, recycling, salvage and reuse activities carried out by a large number of groups around the world, Emmaus companions are able to regain their place in society, get organised and reclaim their fundamental rights. In turn, they also help others who are even more vulnerable, whilst being part of a virtuous circle of waste management that protects the environment. 

Emmaus groups worldwide are also engaged in other types of activities for social and environmental justice, such as agroecology with landless peasants, mutual health organisations managed by the most excluded, citizen-led and participatory management of access to water or housing, combatting gender-based discrimination and violence against women, in addition to tackling over-indebtedness.  

Download our brochure “social and environmental justice”

A 3-minute video to explain this struggle