To mark the presentation of the Groupe Initiatives collective’s work on the convergence of forms of solidarity, the AFD and Groupe Initiatives are co-organising an afternoon of discussions on the subject.
The global context, marked by multiple crises, is forcing International Solidarity Organisations (ISOs) to adapt their practices and rethink their approaches. A new issue of Groupe Initiatives’ journal *Traverses* explores how to effectively coordinate actions carried out in France and internationally to strengthen the convergence of local and international solidarity. The experience and expertise gained through international action are being harnessed to address local challenges such as the ecological transition, social inclusion and citizenship education. Obstacles remain: fragmentation of funding, a lack of pooling of resources and visibility, and institutional rigidity. Further reflection is needed to better harness and adapt this wealth of experience to the dynamics of France’s local solidarity network – and vice versa. The world has not become homogeneous, but we have challenges and solutions to share.
PROGRAMME
Coffee reception at 2.30 pm
3.00 pm – Part 1 | Presentation of the Groupe Initiatives’ knowledge-sharing work (1 hour)
Bringing solidarity initiatives together: Taking action internationally and in France to address common challenges
Introductory remarks (10 mins)
Stéphanie Lanfranchi, Director of the National Partnerships Mobilisation Department at AFD
Nicolas Heeren, Chair of Groupe Initiatives
Presentation of Groupe Initiatives’ Traverses report No. 54 (20 mins)
Anais Gueguen, CRAterre
Presentation of the position paper (10 mins)
Olivier Le Masson, GRDR
Discussion with the audience (20 mins)
4.00 pm – Part 2 | Round table (1 hour 30 mins)
France International: shared interests
Moderator: Marc Lévy, author of “Should we help others? Rethinking solidarity to renew it”
Panel discussion (60 mins):
Laurent Bergadaa, representing the AFD Intrapreneurs Group on shared solutions
Jean-Marc Delaunay, project officer at the F3E Network and the Mouvement Associatif
Agnès Belaid, representing the French Committee for International Solidarity (CFSI)
Magali Agosti, Director of Pays de Savoie Solidaires
Jean-Marie Tétart, Mayor of Houdan, Chair of the GIP YCID and Ps-Eau.
Q&A session with the audience (15 mins)
Summary and conclusions (15 mins)
Pierre Jacquemot, Honorary President of Groupe Initiatives
Philippe Jahshan, Director of the Strategy, Foresight and Institutional Relations Department at AFD.
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
Date: Thursday 5 November 2026, 3.00 pm–5.30 pm,
Venue: AFD Paris, 5 rue Roland Barthes, Paris 12th arrondissement, Jacques Alliot Room
Registration: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=mXHskumUAkqpxT5x6BW-UiIPjrh8EI9HrsMzpZTNhCpURE43VjlWTjcxRk
