Origin & Vision
ROADS was born from a simple question posed by students at the University of Poitiers and their French and Latin American peers: how can we stay connected despite very different backgrounds and fields of activity, and continue to create synergies between our skills to build solidarity between territories, projects, and spaces?
Over time, one observation became clear. Many share the conviction that action is necessary, but wait for others to take the initiative. This stance too often leads to inaction.
We also observed that political cycles, due to their short timescale, struggle to bring about long-term transformations. For their part, highly specialized organizations, while essential, often intervene in specific segments without always being able to connect the issues in their entirety.
Yet, faced with major challenges—climate change, growing inequalities, corruption, discrimination—the urgency demands a broader and more cross-cutting capacity for coordination.
In our respective experiences of cooperation and territorial engagement, we have observed a crucial reality: promising initiatives already exist. Some are producing remarkable results. But they sometimes remain isolated.
ROADS was founded on the desire to create bridges between these actors, to foster the exchange of experiences, and to develop collective strategies adapted to local contexts.
We are convinced that this need for coordination is universal. It depends neither on available resources nor on geographical location. As Saskia Sassen states:
“Today, even the most powerless individual can create a global network that surpasses central authority.”
It is in this spirit that we act: to connect, structure, and support existing dynamics to strengthen their impact.
Our mission
We do not propose a single model, but a coordination framework based on listening and collective intelligence.
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Building a space for connection, information and coordination
Between companies, regions, villages, communities, cultures, populations, project leaders, universities, economic actors and citizen movements.
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Developing synergy between actors and spaces
At the international level, in a dynamic of coordination, cooperation, collaboration, exchanges and mutual learning, towards a multicultural collective intelligence strategy.
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Identify, build, structure, link and promote alternatives
Economic, legal, educational, public policy, cooperation or territorial development, or even well-being techniques.
Offer alternatives
Commitment, meaning in life, and improvement of quality of life.
Our areas of focus
Supporting activities between France and Latin America, in particular by building relationships around projects with universities, associations, and local authorities.
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Supporting international players, local authorities, cooperatives, associations and/or associative actors to use the instruments of the Social and Solidarity Economy and Solidarity Cooperation for the benefit of populations and for the construction of sustainable development projects
To make the connection between different realities and worldviews: social, political, academic, economic, civic, environmental, cultural, well-being, popular education, solidarity, etc.
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Developing strategies for a better democratization of public policies, that is to say, to promote the participation of the population through debates and political and social decision-making, as well as through transparency and therefore the eradication of impunity and corruption.
Our operation
ROADS does not operate according to a centralized or bureaucratic logic.
We act as a synergy between autonomous actors sharing common principles.
Our organization is flexible, participatory, and cross-functional.
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Horizontal cooperation
We work through horizontal working dynamics with local populations, respecting them and supporting their demands and needs.
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International network
We are working with the aim of creating an interactive dynamic to consolidate the links between projects carried out between France and Latin America and to give concrete form to the phrase: "think globally, act locally".
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Intelligence collective
We adapt to initiatives, proposals, projects, and people in a receptive manner and with innovative ideas.
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Support and guidance.
Our priority is to accompany and support individuals, territories, associations or organizations working in the same dynamic, to help them get to know each other and work together.
Gradual progression.
We are convinced that the most important and necessary projects are only achievable if they demonstrate solidity, structure and organization over time.
Diversity as strength
Our network brings together economists, lawyers, social workers, cultural facilitators, geographers, teachers, political scientists, technicians, and other professionals from diverse backgrounds.
This multidisciplinary approach forms the basis of our analytical and adaptive capabilities.
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Economic alternatives
Human rights & equality
Participatory democracy
Territorial sustainability
Social Innovation
Cultural policies
A multidisciplinary approach that combines expertise and fosters international synergies.
Our values
INCLUSION
We encourage citizen participation, solidarity between actors and territories, conviviality, non-discrimination and gender equality, as well as the right of everyone to be happy.
SHARING
We believe that it is always possible to learn and enrich our knowledge, and that sharing our experiences is fundamental to progressing in all areas of modern life.
RESPECT
We work with the networks, spaces, tools and experiences of the different actors in a mutual respect for the dynamics of each.