Le Marais: a fine example of solidarity
Paris 3e
With some 35,000 inhabitants in an area of 1.17 km², the 3rd arrondissement in Paris provides fertile ground for all types of encounters. This year, for the fourth time, it held the "Le Marais Solidaire" symposium, a happy and festive event, highlighting the close links between all those concerned with social, solidarity-based, ethical and fair-trade issues.
It all began in October 2002 when local residents, various associations and elected representatives decided to hold a "solidarity symposium". The event lasted a day and a half and addressed several themes, all of which were concerned with social cohesion in the district and the desire to preserve its valuable cultural diversity:
- The relationship between the users and providers of social services;
- The drastic shortage of low-cost housing;
- The situation of foreigners, with their administrative problems on the one hand and the cultural melting pot on the other.
The main events were debates, a theatre performance and meals taken together.
Drawing on this first positive experience, the inhabitants, associations and elected representatives decided they wanted to take the idea a step further and encourage their fellow-citizens to become more closely involved: the aim was to show that alternative approaches do exist and that, even in a capitalist society driven by financial interests, it is possible, for the public good, to encourage co-operation rather than competition.
Le Marais Solidaire was established in 2003 by the four founding bodies: the "Le Marais Solidaire" association, "Artisans du Monde" (a fair-trade organisation), the "2 Rives" association, and the town hall of the 3rd arrondissement, in particular François Longérinas, Deputy Mayor responsible for social issues, integration and solidarity.
There were 200 participants at the first symposium and Le Marais Solidaire was this year hoping to attract 2,000. The 4th symposium, which took place on 15 and 16 June 2007, was, in fact, attended by some 6,000 people.
The programme included the projection of a film followed by a debate on the solidarity-based economy, a fair-trade market, a "Solidarity Village", various shows and games and, of course, solidarity-based catering.
The event is organised with an eye to attracting and entertaining all age groups and ensuring that people gain an understanding of alternative and solidarity-based economies and markets.
- The shows and games are designed to interest both children and adults;
- At the fair-trade market, producers are allowed to set up their stands free of charge provided they explain to every customer how their goods are produced, the health and environmental benefits and the working and living conditions of fair-trade producers, etc;
- In the "Solidarity Village", associations explain their approach and concerns;
- Meals are provided by solidarity-based caterers, which are also involved in other areas of social cohesion.
Le Marais is also the first district in Paris to try out the SOL, a solidarity-based unit of currency in which the 3rd arrondissement of Paris has taken an interest right from the outset: the SOL is now frequently used in Le Marais.
Fair-trade producers and craftsmen, the "De Rue et de Cirque" co-operative for street artists and contemporary circus performances in Paris and the surrounding region, representatives of socially-committed business enterprises and job-creation companies and the large crowds in attendance all helped to make 2007 an excellent year for Le Marais Solidaire in promoting an ethical and solidarity-based economy.
