ESS France adopted two important resolutions on 26 May during its latest General Assembly, as part of its public positioning strategy on key social and democratic issues for the social and solidarity economy sector in France. The two positions address, on the one hand, opposition to the concept of “national preference” in French political debate, and on the other hand, the strengthened commitment of the SSE to combating gender-based and sexual violence.
Rejection of “national preference”
In its first resolution, ESS France expresses concern over the radicalisation of political debate around the so-called “national preference”, a principle that would involve reserving certain social, economic or political rights for French nationals over foreign individuals.
The organisation considers this concept incompatible with the founding values of the social and solidarity economy, based on equality, solidarity and human dignity. Its implementation would also represent a break with essential principles of the French Republic and could lead to forms of legal discrimination against legally resident foreign nationals.
ESS France also warns that its implementation would directly affect SSE organisations, undermining their principle of unconditional welcome and their functioning based on equal access to rights and services.
The organisation has announced its intention to alert the entire sector and to intervene in public debate in order to oppose any advancement of this idea in French legislation.
Fight against gender-based and sexual violence
The second resolution takes a firm stance against gender-based and sexual violence, considered a structural rather than isolated phenomenon in contemporary society. ESS France stresses that such violence deeply affects victims, but also the functioning of organisations, damaging well-being, internal trust and collective performance.
The text also denounces the influence of masculinist and anti-feminist narratives that contribute to weakening progress on gender equality and the rights of women and LGBTIQ+ people.
In response, the organisation commits to participating in the development of prevention and response protocols, strengthening support for victims, collaborating with specialised feminist organisations, and integrating this fight into SSE best practices.
A strengthened political position for the social and solidarity economy
With these two resolutions, ESS France strengthens its role as an institutional actor in public debate in France, beyond merely representing the social and solidarity economy sector.
The organisation seeks to position itself in relation to major contemporary democratic and social challenges, defending a model based on equal rights, social cohesion and the fight against all forms of discrimination.
