Emmaüs International General Assembly in Cotonou
Emmaüs International's General Assembly in Cotonou, Benin, brought together representatives from regional branches to discuss current issues and prepare for the next World Alternatives Forum. Visits to local Emmaüs groups highlighted their resilience in the face of challenges such as funding and logistics. Participants also discovered Beninese culture through performances and historical tours
5/3/20242 min read
The Emmaüs International General Assembly took place from April 15 to 19, 2024 in Cotonou, Benin, hosted by the Emmaüs Pahou group. This major event brought together representatives from the regional branches of Emmaüs America, Emmaüs Africa, Emmaüs Asia and Emmaüs Europe. During this week of work and meetings, participants were able to discuss current issues, best practices and the movement's future projects, and prepare for Emmaüs International's World Alternatives Forum, scheduled for September 2024 in Poitiers.
In addition to work meetings and visits to Emmaus groups, participants had the opportunity to discover Beninese culture. They attended traditional dance and music performances, and visited the town of Ouidah, an emblematic historical site in Benin, known for its vodou heritage and its role in the slave trade. The visit to the slave route was an opportunity to reflect on the painful history of the slave trade, while highlighting the resilience of the Beninese people.
One of the highlights of the General Assembly was a visit to the various Emmaüs groups in Benin, including those on probation. Members of the Board of Directors (BOD) and the Emmaüs International Secretariat (EIS) had the opportunity to meet local teams, discover their activities and understand their daily realities. These visits highlighted the challenges faced by the Beninese groups, particularly in terms of funding, logistics and access to resources. Despite these difficulties, Emmaüs groups in Benin continue to show great resilience and a strong commitment to the movement's values.
The Emmaüs International General Assembly in Cotonou was characterized by moments of sharing and solidarity. The fruitful meetings and working sessions not only strengthened the bonds between Emmaüs members, but also enabled the planning of future collective actions.
