By Martine Theveniaut, General Manager of the Pactes Locaux

October 2009

- 5 meetings, the same format: 3 half days: illustrate, discuss and propose

- An analysis and interpretation based on the same questions:

o What kind of economy can the action create?

o How has the action increased empowerment and responsibilities of the various actors through the solutions that have been implemented?

o What co-operation between actors, what links between different levels of governance have proved to be a key factor in achieving successful territorial dynamics?

o What were the factors that enabled certain initiatives to become sustainable and develop a locally sustainable approach?

o What are the lessons learnt that could be applied in the future?

- Regular meetings of the operational team took place; these were open to the key members of the regional meetings as well as to other people who wished to contribute.

- The approach included alternating between “in situ” fieldwork and meetings to develop the approach, reflect on the implications of the fieldwork (practice/theory) as well as to aggregate the results and articulate a recommended strategy for change.

An international delegation was hosted in the Aude (South West France) prior to Lux09.

- A convivial meeting with our foreign guests took place in the South West of France Jacques Fiset, director of CLD of the town of Quebec, Denison Jayasooria (Researcher and lecturer from Malaysia); Yvon Poirier (RCDEC, Quebec); Ben Quiñones (Coalition of Socially Responsible Small & Medium Enterprises in Asia, Philippines), Patricia Tamini (ONTB, Burkina Faso).

The meeting was in English and French.

- A 5-day programme included: meetings with Eric Andrieu (Mayor of Villerouge Terménès and member of regional government for Languedoc-Roussillon), Meeting with members of the county government, A full day’s visit each to the BASE Sud Audois, An innovative book-shop, these were accompanied by Pactes Locaux members: Alain Laurent and Judith Hitchman.

- The exchange helped to clarify mutual understanding and agreement as to the prerequisite conditions that allow territorial anchorage to happen, and enable the promotion of solidarity economy. They involve:

o An initial “grass-roots” level: Concrete commitment to local projects, catalysts (both people and projects), like the BASE Sud Audois, and/or support by local elected representatives who translate the local culture into a concept and winwin concrete objectives.

o A second “intermediary” level: documentation of case studies to bring together collective evidence, a non-academic think tank – because it is essential to understand what has been learnt before jointly carrying proposals forward.

Extracts of the discussion in the Aude (19th Apr il 2009)

Eric Andrieu, Mayor and Regional Councillor, Aude:

The crisis provides a favourable context. The dominant ideology is stuck in a corner, and this gives new meaning to public commitment

Denison Jayasooria, researcher, Malaysia:

Ben and I had a dream. People took their affairs in hand, in other words, their responsibilities, and can change things and teach others, all because theyhaven’t despaired.

Ben Quiñones, Chairman, CSRSME Asia :

The World Bank exports concepts and projects. They have no feeling forhistory; it’s all technology and money! People do not feel concerned at local level. He understood the language, the terminology and the territorial approach. In Asia, we would call this an integrated approach. It’sinspirational. Then, we need to bring these learning journeys together, to show the world that there is an alternative, and bring this to the fore at Lux’09.

Jacques Fiset: Manager of the Local Development Centre for the town of Quebec:

The possibility of sharing this little bit of the road here is pure happiness!

Alain Laurent :coordinaor of TER_RES, member of Pactes Locaux :

How can we shift f rom the small-scale model here to mainstream?

Eric Andrieu :

You can’t create models; but rather inform people of the ingredients. They are available to everyone, and allow empower everyone to control their future, particularly local authorities: the f irst step is to be clear as to why we aredoing things together; the next is to take belief s and cultural reality of peoples’ lives into account, the systems are different throughout the world, as well as the methods, and the length of time… what you need is a good sociology of balance of power if you want to take effective action!

Contacts for the Pactes Locaux: France Joubert, President: + 33 (0)6 70 00 14 67

francejoubert@wanadoo.fr

Martine Theveniaut, General Manager Telephone + 33 (0)4 68 69 92 88

martine.theveniaut4@orange.fr

Address: 5 rue de Cadène, F- 11580 Alet-les-Bains

English translation: Judith Hitchman.