About us

VISION AND MISSION STATEMENT

OUR VISION is of a world without persistent poverty, where everyone is valued, can participate fully in society and fulfil their potential.

OUR MISSION is to contribute to building a network of people, groups and organisations committed to overcoming persistent poverty with people with a lived experience of poverty, through a human rights approach, and with a focus on leaving no one behind.

What we do

All Together in Dignity – ATD Fourth World is an international human-rights movement that works through grass-roots projects in partnership with people living in poverty. All around the world, it remains focused on constantly reaching out to the most vulnerable families, those who have a long history of poverty and educational disadvantage even in the so-called developed countries.

For the past 20 years, ATD in Ireland has been close to family members facing persistent poverty and struggling daily to live in dignity.  ATD welcomes everyone. It unites people whatever their origin, social status, culture or beliefs to fight against poverty. In building trust, solidarity and friendship, all have a place to realize their full and best potential. By working together and learning from each other, everyone is free to express themselves without being judged.

To find out more about our history and our global vision and mission – visit the ‘ATD Fourth World – international’ website.

To find out more about what we do specifically in Ireland – visit the ‘projects‘ and ‘latest news‘ section on our website.

OUR AIMS


1) Support families and individuals living in persistent poverty:

• to get through times of crisis

• to pursue their goals and aspirations

• to develop their skills, confidence, and knowledge

• to get together with others in situation of poverty and with people from all walks of life
committed to change things with them

2) Create the conditions for a partnership with other members of the public, including professionals,
academics, and policymakers: to raise awareness of persistent poverty, to counter prejudice and
socioeconomic discrimination and to improve policy and practice.

OUR VALUES

Reaching the hardest to reach: Many target led services fail to reach the most disadvantaged people. We believe that families and individuals who have the most difficult lives hold the key to understanding and overcoming persistent poverty. They are at the heart of everything we do.

Taking people seriously: When people are in difficulty the focus is often on their problems or perceived short comings. Our approach is to recognise the strength, determination and resourcefulness it takes to just get by. We build on the important roles people play in their family and community as they help one another. We support them to realise their dreams and aspirations, encouraging them to contribute their experience, thinking and aspirations to the fight against poverty.

A long-term commitment: Whereas persistent poverty is enduring, complex and deep-rooted, much of the support society offers is short-term, narrow and results driven. We are committed to accompanying people over the long run, moving forward with them at their own pace and building our projects around their hopes and ambitions.

Giving people a voice: The socio-political debate on poverty rarely includes those who are the most affected, even though their knowledge and insight is vital. We believe that everyone’s voice matters and that people living in persistent poverty should have the chance to speak out on issues that concern them and the wider world.

Working collaboratively: We are a membership organisation, not a service provider. Our members include full-time core workers, families living in persistent poverty, supporters and volunteers. All are encouraged to get involved in every aspect of what we do, from project planning to evaluation, from fundraising to campaigning, from administration to governance.

Joseph Wresinski

"Wherever human beings are condemned to live in extreme poverty, human rights are violated. To come together to ensure that these rights be respected is our solemn duty.”

(Founder of ATD)

ATD Ireland Dublin Team

Full-time Dublin team: Dann Kenningham (national co-ordinator), Mary McMurchie, Stewart McMurchie, Ciara Margolis, Paul Uzell and Peter Simpson.

ATD staff members (all are members of ATD International Volunteers Corps) agree on a salary that is decided upon together and which is the same for everyone within the same country, regardless of seniority or responsibility. For Ireland this salary is the minimum legal wage.

In order to contribute to the advent of a society where everyone may be included, ATD Fourth World provided
itself with reference features that stem from its long term commitment to the poorest populations. Some of
these characteristics specifically direct its financial ethics

Read more: ATD Charter of financial ethics

Visiting and supporting people

Visiting and supporting people living in hostels or socially disadvantaged areas. Often, because of the many obstacles they have faced since childhood, the parents we meet may have addictions or mental health issues. Many have children in foster care. Little by little, we have built relationships with them based on trust and respect.

Promoting the World Day for Overcoming Poverty in Ireland on October 17

Promoting the world day for overcoming poverty in Ireland on October 17th each year, at the same time, working with the National Committee for 17 October (17october.ie) to coordinate a commemoration at the Custom House quay in Dublin and make sure that the voices of people living in poverty are at the heart of this event.

Promoting the Sustainable Development Goals and the Leave No One Behind Promise

Promoting awareness of, and contributing to, the realization of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including the Agenda 2030 Promise to Leave No One Behind.

Promoting the wider campaign to have socioeconomic discrimination recognized as a tenth ground of discrimination in the Irish Equal Status Act

The project entitled ‘Does it Only Happen to Me?’ contributes to the wider campaign to have socioeconomic discrimination recognized as a tenth ground of discrimination in the Irish Equal Status Act. Our Socio-Economic Status (SES) project offers a platform for members and volunteers of ATD’s network to provide a space for people who experience socioeconomic discrimination to communicate their stories. We are beginning to see our hard work pay off as the campaign to end socioeconomic discrimination continues to be picked up and spread by individuals and agencies throughout Ireland. Equality must prevail! #10thground

Promoting the UN Guiding Principles on Extreme Poverty and Human Rights among Irish stakeholders

Based on internationally agreed human rights principles and standards, the Guiding Principles provide suggestions for how to put into practice the obligations of States to respect, protect, and fulfill the rights of people living in extreme poverty.

ATD Ireland has made significant steps in completing its journey to full compliance with the Charity Regulator Governance code

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ATD Fourth World-Ireland is a company limited by guarantee not having a share capital, registered in Dublin.

Registered Number 475746

The Company has charitable status: Registered Charity Number 20072131

(Visit ATD’s page on the Charity Regulation Authority Website)

Revenue Charity Number: CHY 18678

Registered Office: 30 Mountjoy Square East, Dublin 1, D01 K2F6

Registered Office:

30 Mountjoy Square East, Dublin 1, D01 K2F6

 

Directors: Elaine Phelan (Chairperson), Juliette Pechenart (Treasurer), Marie Williams (Company Secretary), Isabelle Pypaert-Perrin (ATD International),  Bernie Brown, Maurice Hurley, Hugh Frazer, Robbie Gilligan and Pat O’ Gorman.

Meet our directors here!

 

ATD Ireland is member of the Coalition 2030,  Dóchas, the Children’s Rights Alliance, the Community Platform, the ESC Rights Initiative, the Irish 17 October Committee, IDEA, EAPN Ireland, Social Justice Ireland, the Wheel and the International Movement ATD Fourth World.

Children Safeguarding Policy

Vulnerable Adult Safeguarding Policy

 
All Together in Dignity (ATD) Ireland