Our values
Passing on war memories to strengthen dialogue, accountability, and democracy.
Rencontre Réconciliation's actions are part of an ethical, civic-minded, and European approach.
We work on sensitive—and sometimes uncomfortable—memories with one constant goal in mind: to protect people, shed light on history, and strengthen democracy.
Descendants are not responsible for their parents' choices
We affirm a fundamental principle:
no individual can be held morally responsible for the actions of their ancestors.
Recognizing the crimes of the past is a necessity.
Passing on guilt to future generations is not.
Descendants often inherit silence, family rifts, personal conflicts, or unresolved issues—but never guilt.
Understanding without justifying, passing on without accusing
Giving a voice to the descendants of collaborators, soldiers, or civilians caught up in totalitarian regimes does not mean excusing or relativizing historical facts.
Our approach is based on a strong conviction:
understanding human and family mechanisms helps prevent their repetition.
Rejecting complexity, on the other hand, weakens memory and fuels ideological excesses.
Memory and democracy: an inseparable link
The way a society talks about its past says a lot about the strength of its democracy.
A vibrant democracy is based on a non-negotiable principle:
citizens are not judged on their origin, their name, or their family history.
When guilt becomes hereditary:
• speech freezes,
• debate hardens,
• silence sets in.
Conversely, allowing complex and sometimes disturbing stories to be told strengthens:
• freedom of expression,
• individual responsibility,
• citizen vigilance in the face of simplistic discourse.
A European and transgenerational approach
Memories of war transcend borders and generations.
They concern all European societies, marked by contrasting legacies.
By promoting exchanges between countries and between generations, Rencontre Réconciliation contributes to a shared memory based on dialogue, nuance, and mutual recognition.
Welcoming speech with responsibility
Working on these memories requires particular vigilance.
We are committed to:
• never assume what is not said,
• never investigate silences,
• never rank memories.
Each testimony is welcomed freely, in a respectful, protective, and clearly defined setting.
Preserving memory is not just about looking at the past.
It is also about caring for democracy today and tomorrow.
By affirming that descendants are not responsible for the choices of their parents, we defend a lucid, responsible, and deeply human memory—one that looks to the future.
These values take on meaning through concrete stories.
If you carry a family history marked by war, silence, or complex legacies, we offer a respectful setting in which to share your story.