Documentary “Tomorrow” inspires civic initiatives in Belgium

The movie “Tomorrow” (Demain) is a hit in Belgium with several citizen initiatives are emerging. They want to transform their village sustainably through the common thought. At Court-Saint-Etienne, the inhabitants regrouped under the citizen movement, Transition, meet at the Four Quarters. After watching the film, Julien Lesceux decided to initiate the Transition. This former advertiser, who is now an Environmental Adviser, displays invitations in shops to meet and to discuss the Transition. In no time, a hundred young and old inhabitants were given an appointment at the Four Quarters to discuss the future of their town and to find some concrete solutions for sustainable development. The large majority of them (95%) have seen and experienced Tomorrow to bring the world into a greener and human race. “Returns are incredible. I only get positive energy,” Julien said.
During this first contact, residents unveiled their vision for their village. Second, they will see how to make their dreams come true. There is no hierarchy and everyone gives his opinion in subgroups and decisions are made altogether in consensus. If this process is slow, it will still allow each person to adhere to project.
Laetitia is impatient because she wants to quickly invest her time in sustainable food. “By acting quickly, it’s motivating and also rewarding because it shows thereby that the movement of the Transition, is not only talking sweet words”, she told the meeting. Lionel, meanwhile, has already experienced the transition in Madeira and shares Laetitia’s enthusiasm. “We hardly know each other, but we manage to get together, to talk and to listen for several hours. This is a challenge that we succeeded, “says Philippe.
The same craze is experienced in Braine-l’Alleud. Tomorrow concretized common desire for change. Here also a hundred people joined the Transition initiative in the village. Currently, some 3,000 Transition initiatives have emerged since the film Tomorrow. Cyril Dion and Mélanie Laurent documentary focus on associations of citizens who set up sustainable actions (community gardens, recycling, etc.). “Showing solutions, telling a feel-good story… this may be the best way to solve the ecological, economical and social crises that our countries are going through,” this is what Tomorrow is all about.