Appartenance-Belonging is about the living ties, that connect us to each other, to our families, our communities, our country, our beliefs, our earth, our universe. It is about all forms of life.
Appartenance-Belonging emerged from the bonds of friendship and respect three groups of people – L’Agora, L’Arche and the PLAN institute for Caring Citizenship – have for each other. We have become a significant part of each other’s lives.
We have witnessed the power of belonging to transform lives, to create meaning, to restore dignity, to reveal our deeper purpose. We have also observed the devastating effects of isolation, loneliness, fragmentation, fear and estrangement from each other, from nature, from our soul.
We have learned how precious belonging is. We are determined not to take it for granted. We want to shine a light on this mysterious, elusive, majestic and essential life force. We see this as the pre-condition for a Revolution of Belonging.
Appartenance/Belonging is not your usual website. It has evolved slowly, sifting through the insights and wisdom of friends. It owes a spiritual and intellectual debt to Jean Vanier the founder of L’Arche and Jacques Dufresne the founder of L’Agora encyclopedia and website. It remains a labour of love. We invite you to join us.
We designed Appartenance-Belonging as an oasis for slow thinking.
The insights presented here are meant to be savored. Slowly. We invite you to take your time, to ponder, to wander, to meditate. To luxuriate in slow thinking.
We offer summaries of each topic and concept. And if you want to explore any issue more deeply, we offer references to more detailed and lengthy presentations.
You will notice something else about Appartenance Belonging. It reflects and embodies the heritage and language of its French and English creators. That’s why you have encountered a hyphenated address and occasional excerpts from both languages on our pages. It is our reminder to honor the gift of each culture’s wisdom.
Belonging is a state of being. It reveals itself as much from your presence as from your actions. We cannot produce belonging but we can create the conditions for belonging to flourish. That is our hope for Appartenance-Belonging.
Belonging emerges from our kindness, hospitality and imagination. Belonging will emerge form your life, your love. When you belong, everyone belongs.
You already know. So please enjoy, experience, love, create.
L'éditeur de L'Encyclopédie de L'Agora analyse l'actualité à travers le thème de l'appartenance.