“What does it mean to feel like you have no voice? To feel like you count for nothing, to feel like you are only defined by your poverty or socioeconomic status. Being hindered by discrimination, stigma and often shame can make participation in the community and society at large extremely difficult. Yet in the anti-poverty sector we speak about participation as a fundamental norm. Sometimes without recognition of how far some people are left behind. There is a paradigm shift needed in our political structures before real meaningful participation can happen. This annual report aims to shine a light on the brave efforts made by many people struggling with poverty and social exclusion to express themselves publicly and to face the barriers and inequalities head on. We are proud to present our ways of building relationships and partnerships across our diverse projects and actions“.
On Monday 29th April 2024 ATD Ireland held our Annual General Meeting for 2023. It is always a real pleasure to bring together all different members of our community together in the same space to reflect on the year’s activities and what we have achieved together. ATD Ireland are also very committed to taking our responsibility towards charity governance seriously.
We were also delighted to welcome four new ATD Ireland members this year including Dr Joe Whelan from Trinity College Dublin. ATD Ireland Community Activists and Joe undertook a joint project this year, “Walking, Thinking and Talking: An exploration of the lived experiences and hidden geographies of poverty as a participatory arts methodology”, Community Activist Craig Byas who has taken part in many ATD Ireland projects including the new ‘Pathways to Participation’ and he attended a youth event at the Council of Europe in Strasbourg along with ATD and his youth service Bradog. We were also so happy to invite Emmanuelle Place and John Noonan who has been an incredible support to ATD helping us to manage our accounts.
We thanked Mairtin Cronin and Bernie Browne who were standing down as members due to personal commitments and Elaine Phelan who was stepping down as director.
Key highlights from the annual report were presented by diverse members of our community who have played a role in the different actions. We aimed to present these actions in a dynamic and creative way, which hopefully demonstrated the interconnected nature of our work. Tara and Sr Bernadette, who has been really generously volunteering her time to ATD for the past year or so, spoke about the family visits and Tuesday open house days.
Dann and Community Activist Jimmy then presented the #Addthe10th campaign and our “Breaking Barriers: A Participatory Approach to Defining Socio- economic discrimination- In Real Terms” report. This project aims to define the term socio – economic discrimination, and break it down into understandable parts; what is it, how and why does it happen, how does it impact people and what can we do to change it. As well as this, the report documents three years of campaign work in Ireland and internationally with the #addthe10th campaign to have socio- economic status recognised as the tenth ground of discrimination in Irish equality legislation. Jimmy sang his rap ‘Breaking Barriers’ which features in and sums up the aim of the report – to bring different voices together to work together for change.
Tara then briefly introduced the various international advocacy events we took part in throughout 2023, including advocating against socio- economic discrimination and for adequate minimum income schemes. Craig spoke profoundly about his experience at the youth study session at the Council of Europe in Strasbourg and why it was important for him. Read more about this event here.
Community Activist Christina and Professor Erna from Trinity College presented the Poverty Aware Practice work with social work students. Read about our poverty aware practice from 2023 here.
Joe and Community Activist and team member Paul discussed the Poverty Talks project as mentioned above.
Brian spoke about the highlights of the Dublin event for 17th October UN Day for the Eradication of Poverty this year. Read more about the day here.
Marie, who co- ordinates Dominican Justice Office spoke about our LNOB series 3 project and particularly the workshop we carried out with the Young Mothers Network- read more here! This was important in showcasing ATD Ireland’s work in collaborating with others.
Martin then spoke about our Cycling for Change event, reflecting on how meaningful it was to cycle the famine way, spend time together and he took time to thank the support team for their assistance.
Finally, Tom from Carroll & Associates presented the 2023 audited accounts. Thank you to Tom for and Carroll and Associates for assisting us and for completing our audit.
Thank you to Juliette our chairperson for smoothly and professionally leading the meeting again this year and for all her constant support.
Thank you so much to everyone who took the time to come and participate in the AGM in person and on zoom. Thank you also to all the members who couldn’t make it but contribute so much to the life of ATD Ireland. We are looking forward to working more together in 2024 and beyond, and continuing to learn, grow and improve.
“The AGM and activities represented ATD Ireland’s work in promoting inclusive practices and methodologies”- Gina
“It was a great AGM with very good presentations by so many members. Well done to all involved”- Mark
“We were very taken by the presentation of the annual report, so participatory and communicative as well as instructive”- Stuart and Isabelle
“The main reason for the meeting is to get the best for everyone”- Jimmy
“I just want to reflect on how far ATD Ireland has grown, the volume of projects, the increase in network, the personal development of individuals in the team and as a team going from strength to strength. The level of achievements over the past couple of years has been ground breaking, and to Dann Kenningham being the coordinator of the team I just want to take this time to thank you and let you know you are going a great job and should be proud and to all the team, seeing everyone on a personal level going from strength to strength is amazing. The sense of community spirit, in the direction the team is heading I see more growth on the horizon”- Gavin
