Op-ed – The essential role of associations in the education of young people in critical thinking

In 2015, following the tragic attacks on Charlie Hebdo and the Hyper Kosher, the Daniel and Nina Carasso Foundation responded to the Caritas Foundation’s call to create, with other foundations, the January 11 Fund. He worked for 5 years alongside the associative sector to try to provide answers to this unspeakable violence, with a leitmotif: education, education, education… Today, we mourn one of those educators, a teacher who was just doing his job. Following the heinous assassination of Samuel Paty, we associate ourselves with the collective message of the January 11 Fund.

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“Samuel Paty died, beheaded, because he taught freedom of expression to his students. We express our deep sadness and condolences to his family and assure the educational community of our support.

5 years ago, after the Charlie and Hyper Kosher attacks, we, foundations from civil society and grouped within the January 11 Fund, were convinced that the tragedy that had just played out called for a full commitment from all components of society. Faced with this violence, we decided to work with associative actors, in the field or invested in social networks.

5 years ago, freedom of expression was massacred and anti-Semitism manifested, once again, in its horror. Today, beyond freedom of expression, it is knowledge that has been cut off, it is the school, a place of learning about citizenship, that has been targeted and with it the values of the Republic.

Security and cyber-security government responses are being developed. They are necessary, but they must be complemented by preventive actions, which begin with the education of young people and unwavering support for teachers, bulwarks against obscurantism, but also vectors of the values that constitute a tolerant and open society.

For 5 years, we have supported actions based on various approaches.

Among them Entre-les-Lignes and Cartooning For Peace for media and image education, Enquête for the understanding of religion and secularism, but also Citoyenneté Possible and the Shoah Memorial, for the deconstruction of prejudices, the fight against racism and anti-Semitism. This is in order to provide answers to young people in need of bearings, to equip and support the educational community, teachers, educators and parents, who are confronted with new challenges every day.

More than ever, we should emphasize the essential role played by associative actors who are both anchored in the reality on the ground, innovative in their approaches to develop young people’s critical thinking and help them think for themselves. These initiatives are numerous, but they are not sufficiently recognized and valued.

Let’s support them. Let’s deploy them! Social cohesion is at stake and everyone, as time and time, must continue to do their part.

Let’s not fall into the trap of those who want to divide us. On the contrary, whatever the origin or convictions of each one, let’s show them at every moment that this society of living together is very much alive.”

Created in February 2015 for 5 years, at the initiative of the French Centre for Funds and Foundations, the 11 January Fund aims to support grassroots initiatives fighting against prejudice, racism and anti-Semitism, which work for a better understanding of secularism and religion, in favour of media education, social networks and images, and a dialogue that respects diversity.

Find on the www.fondsdu11janvier.org website the 50 actions supported, the podcast series, and the study on approaches and practices for the prevention of radicalisation in France.

Alter & Care Foundation, Caritas France Foundation, Daniel and Nina Carasso Foundation, Foundation for the Memory of the Shoah, Primonial Group Foundation (formerly Fondation Financière de l’Echiquier), Fondation de France, Fondation Hippocrene, SNCF Foundation and with the support of the Chanel Foundation, the Mérieux Foundation, the JM Bruneau Foundation, and the Thalys company.