CITOYENZENSHIP AND YOUTH
The main goal of the Foundation's citizenship, youth and territories programme is to contribute to social cohesion, the recognition of diversity, and the advancement of democratic values, based on the remembrance of slavery and its legacies.
The programme is primarily aimed at young people in general, and more specifically at young people in areas being prioritized for urban development (QPV). France has some 1,500 of these prioritized areas, total. Over 1,300 of them are in continental France, and 200 in French overseas territories. In QPVs, 4 out of 10 inhabitants are under the age of 25, as compared to 3 out of 10 in the rest of the country.
The citizenship programme will work in partnership with local authorities and established education-for-all actors, as well as any concerned local structures and groups. It will also work with public and memory institutions in order to offer a wide range of events and activities for young people.
Beyond youth, the programme will be particularly active during the "Month of Remembrance" (27th of April to 10th of June). The goal is to reach out to all citizens, essentially in the context of broader commemorative ceremonies (popular and festive events, with local participation, artists, groups, social centres, etc.).
A CIVIC SERVICE PROGRAM
To fulfil its mission with youth, the FRS is developing a civic-service program involving the history and memory of slavery with education-for-all partners.
France’s civic service, a measure that promotes civic involvement, aims to strengthen national cohesion and promote social mixing. It offers young people from 16 to 25 the opportunity to devote themselves to a mission for the public good for a period of 6 to 12 months.
The idea for the FRS's civic-service programme is to build a network of “history and remembrance of slavery” youth ambassadors around France. They could facilitate events in town halls; community, youth and social centres, or even sports clubs. The youth ambassadors will be responsible for raising awareness, fighting prejudice and supporting local initiatives in all parts of France and overseas territories.
TOOLS FOR LOCAL ACTIVISTS AND EDUCATORS
The Foundation is working on the design of innovative tools to pass on knowledge of the history of slavery and enable its legacies to be understood in today's society. These tools are adapted to suit each audience:
An exhibition
A travelling exhibition for local authorities, organizations or any other structures wishing to host an event will be available in early 2021. The travelling exhibition will be accompanied by materials such as booklets, video clips, bibliographical references, programs of related activities, etc.
Ceremony and event kits
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The kits are practical modules for local activists and educators who wish to organize a commemoration ceremony or event during the month of May. There are two:
- One kit intended for local authorities who wish to organise a commemoration and be accompanied in this process (ceremony, exhibition, conferences, educational intervention...).
- One kit to help local organizations and structures organize events during the month of May, with tutorials on organizing conferences, debates, exhibits, film screenings, live theatre shows, etc.
Remembrance Trails
“History and Memory of Slavery" trails organized with our partners (museums, universities, friends of places of memory, sites, etc.). These trails, sites and places of memory will focus on welcoming young people and the inhabitants of areas prioritized for development.
Calls for projects
The Foundation will support local grassroots projects involving young people through annual calls for projects published on our website and on social media.