Collectives in Nantes
Local partners
Associations and NGO’s in and around Nantes, grouped into two community types, actively take part in the Nantes World Forum on Human Rights by organising round tables and cultural events:
1. World Citizens’ Centre ("La Maison des Citoyens du Monde")
The World Citizens’ Centre, created in 1996 and located in Cosmopolis (an international area provided by the City of Nantes), regularly organises actions in the fields of human rights, international solidarity and citizenship.
In Nantes, a large number of associations work within such areas. During efforts linked to conflicts in Rwanda and Former Yugoslavia, such associations became aware that development and international solidarity issues should be centred on those defending human rights and citizenship. This interdependence is a core factor of the good democratic running of any society. Hence, it is essential to act as a counterbalance for citizens in order to promote alternative solutions and dialogue among civil action groups, thereby ensuring that genocide and impunity are not forgotten, the only way to obtain truth and long-lasting peace in conflicts.
Since 1996, the World Citizens’ Centre (“Maison des Citoyens du Monde”) has become a renowned venue for debate and the exchange of ideas and experience. It focuses on actions in favour of human rights, international solidarity and citizenship.
The World Forum on Human Rights provides an opportunity for associations of the Nantes region, gathered together at the World Citizens’ Centre, to welcome their partners from the South or from the East, and to partake, in the eyes of the citizen, in discussions and cultural events of the World Forum.
Round tables, workshops, films, the citizen book forum, theatre … come and look at the programme hosted by the associations of the World Citizens’ Centre!
Maison des Citoyens du Monde
8 rue lekain, 44 000 NANTES, France
Tel: 02 40 69 40 17
mcm.nantes@wanadoo.fr
www.maisondescitoyensdumonde.org
2. The "Rights for Humanity" Association 
The “Rights for Humanity” associative grouping, constituted in 2004 on the occasion of the 1st World Forum on Human Rights, was also active during the 2nd edition.
During the 1st World Forum on Human Rights, organised by UNESCO and the City of Nantes in 2004, an associative grouping decided to set up additional and critical initiatives. This grouping comprised 70 associations or unions, dealing with human, civil, political, economic, social or cultural rights’ issues, not only in France but also worldwide.
This grouping, which was constituted as an association in 2006, aims at promoting human rights and organising events for the purpose of:
- enabling the general public to debate and exchange views with the various associations
- promoting the combat for protecting human rights and the need to act
- enabling to understand the gap between the legal texts and reality
- providing information on the actions of the various associations
The “Rights for Humanity” associative grouping took part in the 2nd World Forum on Human Rights in Nantes (July 2006)
Collectif Droits pour l'Humanité
www.droits-pour-lhumanite.org
c/o LDH, 10 bis bd de Stalingrad, 44000 Nantes, France
