Real empowerment comes from a real idea of equality

"We have to find ways to build meaning for people if they are going to have success in life." From 28th April to 2nd May ATD in the United States will be sharing the thoughts of members and friends on questions relating to empowerment. The week of April 28th, ATD is running a US campaign on Facebook and Twitter called #Unheard Voices. It will bring the experiences of people in poverty to the forefront, even if just for a short time. If it's going to be a success, ATD needs your help. All through the week US ATD volunteers will be…

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Working together to design and build a Europe without poverty and exclusion

At a time when many European citizens are asking challenging questions about Europe, a group of people living in a situation of poverty and social exclusion set out to gain a better understanding of what Europe is doing to ensure that life improves for the most vulnerable members of society. Over several months, they worked in partnership with others who were prepared to stand in solidarity with them, including people who held positions of responsibility at the European level. Centring their discussions around contributions based on the life experiences of people living in poverty, they prepared themselves in order to be…

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In Bangui: Taking On Our Own Responsability

ATD latest update on the Central African Republic is a great summary of everything going on with our team there right now - please read and share to spread the news! So much has changed over the past year in the Central African Republic. Last March the government was overthrown and since December a new round of conflict and uncertainty has affected millions of lives. But what does this mean for the daily struggles of ordinary people? .For Gertrude, a friend of ATD Fourth World, it means that she has to travel greater distances to run her small business. Most of…

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Challenge 2015: Towards Sustainable Development that Leaves No One Behind

“Even in extreme poverty, a person has ideas. If these ideas aren’t recognized, people fall even deeper into poverty.” Research participant from Burkina Faso “There is plenty of aid here, but they give it out without knowing who are the worst off, so the poorest are often not aided at all. This aid creates jealousy, divides our community, and ends up isolating the poorest even more and worsening their situation.” Research participant from Senegal   The result of ATD's participatory research on the Millennium Development Goals, Challenge 2015: Towards Sustainable Development that Leaves No One Behind, brings the voices of people…

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