Ivry: a messenger of Peace

Ivry-sur-Seine is a signatory to the National Partnership Charter with UNESCO as part of the international decade for a culture of peace and non-violence for the children of the world (2000-2010). Since 2000, the town has also been a member of the French Association of Communes, Departments and Regions for Peace (AFCDRP).

In order to promote a world of peace and solidarity, Ivry is strengthening and developing its ties of friendship, twinning and decentralized cooperation with various communities abroad :

• The town of Brandenburg an der Havel, 70 km east of Berlin (Germany),
• The district of Wear Valley, a group of towns in the North-east of England
• The municipality of La Lisa, in the city-province of Havana (Cuba)
• The rural commune of Dianguirdé, in the Kayes region (Mali)
• The commune of Jifna and the Jalazone camp, on the West Bank (Palestine)

In 2005, Ivry adopted the “decentralized cooperation charter for sustainable development”, basing the cooperative relations between partners on the principles of equality, solidarity, subsidiarity and reciprocity. The charter has led to a number of cooperative projects in areas such as water, sewerage, education and health. The town also runs an exchange scheme for young people.

Every summer since 2003, the town has organized an international trip for young people known as “World Village”. The initiative offers activities based on the theme of the culture of Peace and non violence. Young people from partner communities are invited to take part in the trip in the company of young people from Ivry.