La Vie Nouvelle

La Vie Nouvelle (LVN), known until 2022 as La Vie Nouvelle, is a French popular education association founded in 1947 by André Cruiziat and Pierre Goutet, both from Catholic scouting backgrounds. It is an independent, pluralist movement free from any political party, trade union, or religious institution, though it draws inspiration from Christian humanism and the personalist philosophy of Emmanuel Mounier. LVN operates as a space for reflection and exchange on the whole person—political, philosophical, and spiritual—aiming to help members understand the world, themselves, and engage as citizens for a more just and supportive society. The association organizes training sessions, workshops, conferences, study trips, and small-group meetings across France, Belgium, and Luxembourg, where it federates around forty local groups. Its mission includes combating inequalities, injustice, poverty, exclusion, and violence, while fostering personal development and responsible citizenship. LVN has a long history of civic involvement, from opposing torture during the Algerian War to participating in the launch of the Pacte Civique in 2011. It publishes materials such as 'Les mots clés du personnalisme' and 'Présence de la Personne', and runs the 'Lire Ensemble Les Écritures' sessions. The association celebrated 75 years of experience in popular education and continues to address contemporary issues like aging, democracy, and artificial intelligence.

La Vie Nouvelle was founded in 1947 by André Cruiziat and Pierre Goutet, emerging from the Amitiés Scoutes created between 1942 and 1946. The association was joined by notable figures such as Jacques Delors and Christophe Deltombe. In 1953, the movement structured itself and took a stand against torture during the Algerian War, gradually supporting decolonization despite internal reticence. Groups in Algiers and Constantine were actively involved, and some members were tortured before being tried as 'progressive Christians' for harboring FLN militants; they were acquitted but several were expelled from Algeria. From 1958 to 1961, the review Citoyens 60 was created by Jacques Delors, reinforcing belonging to La Vie Nouvelle and coinciding with Vatican II. The 1962–1966 period saw documents on Catholic-Protestant cohabitation, social encounters in Grenoble, and permanent training. In 1971–1974, political consciousness developed, with participation in the Épinay Congress, the Larzac struggle, and Marxism as a reading grid. In 1975, LVN participated in launching 'Chrétiens pour le socialisme'; in 1976, 'Femmes' meetings were held; in 1977, an animation collective was set up; and in 1978–1979, the Veil law was discussed. The 1980s brought major reflections on personalism, and the 1990s focused on exclusion, citizenship, and the meaning of life, with publications like 'Les mots clés du personnalisme' and 'Présence de la Personne'. The 2000s addressed Europe, globalization, and immigration. From 2004 to 2007, the theme was 'Construire aujourd'hui le monde que nous espérons'; 2007–2010 focused on 'Faire société aujourd'hui et demain'. In 2011, LVN co-created the Pacte Civique with 'Démocratie et spiritualité' and Poursuivre. Subsequent triennial themes included 'Agir pour une société solidaire et fraternelle' (2010–2013), 'Dans un monde incertain, oser construire avec d’autres une société plus juste et fraternelle' (2013–2016), and 'Habiter la Terre autrement' (2016–2019). In 2022, the association officially adopted the name LVN. Today, it continues its mission through training, workshops, and publications, addressing contemporary issues such as aging, democracy, and artificial intelligence.

• 2022

  Official adoption of the name LVN

• 2011

  Creation of the Pacte Civique with 'Démocratie et spiritualité' and Poursuivre

• 1975

  Participation in launching 'Chrétiens pour le socialisme'

• 1958

  Creation of the review Citoyens 60 by Jacques Delors

• 1947

  Creation of La Vie Nouvelle by André Cruiziat and Pierre Goutet

Independent, pluralist popular education movement for personal and civic development.

• Lire Ensemble Les Écritures (LLE)

  Sessions for reading and discussing scriptures together.

• Revue Citoyens 60

  Historical review created in 1958 by Jacques Delors.

• Publications: 'Les mots clés du personnalisme', 'Présence de la Personne'

  Books and materials on personalist philosophy.

1. 1Association LVNlvn.asso.fr
2. 2L'association - Association LVNlvn.asso.fr
3. 3La Vie Nouvellewikidata.org
4. 4LVN (Association La Vie Nouvelle)fr.wikipedia.org