Let's talk! The Gironde social centers organized their "citizen banquet" on Saturday, despite the restrictions imposed by the covid epidemic. The concept is a relic of the Republican banquets from the 19th century. It aims to create around a large table and a variety of activities "a moment for sharing and exchanging." The guests could reflect on inequalities during a meal that was open to everyone. They could write down their inequalities and then imagine the levers that would reduce them on their placemat.
"We will summarize it and bring it up at the national level within our federation, and with its partners. It must result in something and everyone involved has to hear it, Paule Dubois (president of Tournesol association), a social centre with 340 members at Burck in Merignac. All over France, banquets are planned. The Federation of Social and Sociocultural Centers of France launched the operation, which aims to host around 300 events. Christine Bouquet (president of Gironde Social Centers Federation) says, "What we will report should help build the Federation’s next project during the congress in 2023."
The operation was co-organized by employees and volunteers from the thirty social centers located in the department. Anne Rochard (federal delegate) said at midday that people have a lot to say and they have wide eyes. We feel there is a problem with our country. With a sense of helplessness , the difficulties in getting treatment, housing, and class inequalities are very prominent. There is nothing we can sell. We give them a voice and show them that it is possible to achieve certain things by creating this space.