The French Committee for International Solidarity on choosing international solidarity

The Comité Français de la Solidarité Internationale (French Committee for International Solidarity – CFSI) is a non-profit association established in 1960. This period corresponds to the French era of decolonisation. Initially, its objective was to maintain a bond of solidarity, detached from the political context, with in the formerly colonies, particularly in Africa. In the mid 1990s, the CFSI decided to widen its notion of solidarity to cover international cooperation.

The CFSI’s members, now 20 in total, are associations, trade unions, local authorities and non-profit organisations involved in international solidarity initiatives. The CGT is a member of the CFSI governing board and secretary of its Bureau.

The CFSI is the only NGO in France tackling the issues of decent work, employment and labour rights head on. Hence the CGT’s keen involvement in the organisation.
Between 2015 and 2016, the CFSI held in-depth discussions with its members – and other partner organisations – with a view to redefining its concept of solidarity and international cooperation.

This document is the result of this work.