The Observatory (ODC) was founded in 2000 by Fulvio Caccia and Jean-Yves Mazard, with the aim of studying the expression of artistic and cultural diversity as a tool for dialogue, social inclusion and citizenship. It collects information, activities and initiatives to promote a successful collective life. It also evaluates proposals and offers advice to build a “mieux vivre”, a better life, always taking into account the realities of the specific neighbourhood.
The ODC has four main aims:
- Knowledge of the culture of the other
- The development of dialogue and speech techniques
- Research and field studies (validated by a scientific committee)
- Dissemination of results and testimonies through various media (local TV, web, publishing)
The association is mainly active in the 19th arrondissement and the wider area of eastern Paris, which has an extremely diverse population.
The ODC has eight action and animation programs:
- Literary meeting (writers from here and elsewhere)
- Ciné-Club (movies that make debate)
- Café-Concert (author-songwriters)
- cultural performance (a strong theme declined in songs and words)
- Discussion meeting (intellectual journey at the intersection of the news)
- Ciné-Conference dedicated to a country and its cultural diversity
- speech and creative writing workshops
- Combats-magazine.org (an online journal)
The observatory is more than a catalogue for initiatives. It is also a laboratory of ideas. In fact, it explains the local neighbourhood’s dynamics through practical examples and anecdotes, such as conflicts in a specific area, how to improve the area to make it easier for disabled people etc.
As an example, in order to counteract the decline in social ties, it is establishing a centre for mediation, where specialists will monitor and prevent conflicts.
The 19th arrondisement also host an annual Festival of Diversity.
