ATD International Volunteer Corps

All Together in Dignity (ATD) full time volunteers are people who have a long-term commitment with those living in extreme poverty.  ATD gathers people from all backgrounds in order to think, act and live together differently.  Within communities and families facing persistent poverty, they support and create projects and programs that reinforce people’s daily efforts to have a better life.  Examples of these projects include street libraries, peer support forums, human rights workshops, youth groups, etc.  We also carry out public campaigns and advocacy at a national and international level.In early 2018, there were 411 ATD full time volunteers (299 women…

Continue ReadingATD International Volunteer Corps

A reflection on Lockdown Liberties: spoken and written word

  • Post author:
  • Post category:Blog

Lockdown Liberties was a project undertaken during the early stages of the pandemic in order to sustain a sense of community and hope during those trying days. click here to watch the trailer for the Lockdown Liberty This was a difficult time for many people, particularly those who had felt excluded and were dealing with persistent struggles and worries before the pandemic.  It restored hope for people to be able to express themselves in a creative way through writing.  According to Paul, a community activist “…we say it’s a writing group, but it’s not, it is more a space for people…

Continue ReadingA reflection on Lockdown Liberties: spoken and written word

Socio Economic Discrimination Must End! #10thGround

Our project entitled ‘Does it Only Happen to Me?’ contributes to the wider campaign to have socio-economic discrimination recognised as a tenth ground of discrimination in the Irish Equal Status Act. ATD Ireland recognises the wider societal benefits of a #10thGround: a more equal society, fair opportunities for all, and reduction of hurtful stereotypes and discriminatory behaviours. 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 socio-economic discrimination to communicate their stories. We are beginning to see our hard work pay off as the campaign to end…

Continue ReadingSocio Economic Discrimination Must End! #10thGround

The importance of 17 October

Words by Mark Hogan I have had the privilege of participating over the last 20 years in the annual commemoration of the World Day for the Eradication of Poverty on the 17th October, first at the Famine Memorial and later at the nearby Human Rights and Poverty Stone, on the Custom House Quay, Dublin.With each passing year, I have grown in my understanding and appreciation of the significance of this important happening. For at its heart is a profound human expression which manifests itself in direct contradiction to our prevailing world order and its powerful inequitable forces. Instead, as is the norm,…

Continue ReadingThe importance of 17 October

‘Black 47’ By Philip Kenny

  • Post author:
  • Post category:Blog

 Philip Kenny, from Dublin Ireland and a member of ATD Ireland, wrote this poem to read out at the Famine Memorial and Poverty Stone on world hunger day 16th October 2020.As an active contributor to the ‘Liberties Lockdown Writing Corner’, Philip engages the reader with this vivid poem.   Black 47The crop is bad.No spuds to be had.Outlook bleak.Hungry and weak.The crop is bad.The plague is here.A sigh and tear.For hunger and fear.The crop is dead.Blackend is the beet.Hungry dying in the street.With nothing to eat.Corn for the rich.The impoverished suffer, impoverished suffer  By Philip Kenny Dublin, Ireland  

Continue Reading‘Black 47’ By Philip Kenny

This lockdown is a lesson to be learnt from!

"In this period of lockdown we have all in many ways been made aware of what it means to lose your freedom... to live in isolation... to have reduced choices… to have a finger pointed at you. This is giving people an insight into what we are living - me and many people struggling in our own community live this reality day-to-day." Paul Uzell Community Activist This lockdown is a lesson to be learnt from. Have you ever considered social maltreatment as a dimension of poverty? In 2019, ATD Fourth World International and Oxford University carried out participatory research in 7…

Continue ReadingThis lockdown is a lesson to be learnt from!

Messenger Birds

ATD Fourth World is part of a worldwide, child-led network called Tapori. Its motto is: “We want all children to have the same chances”.Around the world, children are experiencing lockdown and are cut off from their friends. This is why ATD Ireland is inviting children in Ireland to create Messenger Birds describing their experiences and their hopes for the future. The birds help children to share words of friendship and encouragement with one another.Please click here for step by step instructions showing how children can take part. You can also watch this video created by the UK End Child Poverty Coalition.For the children:Send a…

Continue ReadingMessenger Birds

Leave No One Behind Art Gallery

Here are two paintings I did recently. They didn't take too long to do, however it is clear that life on land and in water is something that is important to me. #leavenoonebehind In my community I have been noticing the sight and sound of lots of beautiful, colourful birds that are out and about making the most from this time of limited pollution and human greed/destruction. I would like to see a society where nature is not overlooked and where animals and flowers and trees are plentiful and thriving. This picture is something quite special for me. I have a…

Continue ReadingLeave No One Behind Art Gallery

Leave No One Behind Art Project

"If you hear a voice within you say 'you cannot paint,' then by all means paint, and that voice will be silenced." Vincent Van Gogh INVITATION TO OUR ART PROJECT: Hello everyone 🥰 We hope that you are all safe and keeping well ♥️✨ We wanted to start a little art project together during this time. So for those who are feeling creative - grab a pen, a pencil, a brush or whatever you have and draw, write, paint or colour something about what it means FOR YOU to LEAVE NO ONE BEHIND. For instance, you could base your idea on…

Continue ReadingLeave No One Behind Art Project

“Soul Restoring”: The Values of the ATD Fourth World Community – ATD FOURTH WORLD UK

  • Post author:
  • Post category:Blog

From left: Amanda Button, Moraene Roberts, and Thomas Mayes In March, 2019, three ATD Fourth World members talked about how their experience of poverty forged their roles as activists. Below they describe why they value ATD’s approach, and what they see as key steps forward.  Sadly, Moraene Roberts passed away in January, 2020. Her memory continues to inspire all who knew her. Moraene Roberts: The first step, before becoming an activist, is recognising yourself as part of a community in poverty, part of the ATD Fourth World community. When I first came here, I didn’t think of myself as being “in poverty”.…

Continue Reading“Soul Restoring”: The Values of the ATD Fourth World Community – ATD FOURTH WORLD UK