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ATD Ireland community activist Andrew was recently invited to join the international 17 October committee as part of the Irish delegation.  He spent a week working with other members of the international 17 October committee, including ATD activists from across the world.  Andrew and Belinda Nugent from ICON flew into Paris together on Monday June 6th for the ninth gathering of the International Committee for October 17th.Belinda said of the importance of being involved in the 17 October preparations this year;“This year we come to share our knowledge and experiences in the fight against exclusion. Full participation of those who are…

On the 8th of June ATD interviewed academic Joe Whelan. He is a scholar researching peoples lived experience of poverty, particularly focusing on the Irish welfare state. This interview was conducted in light of research on socio-economic discrimination which focuses on the campaign ‘Add the 10th’ to recognize socio-economic discrimination as the 10th ground in the Irish Equal Status Act. Joe highlights that in talking about defining socio-economic disadvantage, it is important to note that it is multi-levelled. Not only are people deprived materially but also at the bottom line - people are prevented from taking part in society and we need to look at this and see how we can…

Throughout the summer of 2021 ATD Ireland held a series of summer art workshops designed to creatively express the experience of socio- economic discrimination. The art created a condition for a deep dialogue on socio- economic discrimination which may not have been able to occur had we carried out these discussions in a more formal way. Discussing experiences of socio- economic discrimination can be highly emotional and difficult to open up about.  Doing so through the medium of art gave participants the space to express their thoughts on socio- economic discrimination but putting themselves in a less vulnerable position. Speaking of…

On Monday 2nd June, Mary Lou McDonald - leader of Sinn Fein, along with constituency coordinator Amy Ni Fheargail and Belinda Nugent from ICON came to visit today the ATD Ireland office, while visiting some local organisations in the North Inner City. Mary Lou had a positive and lengthy conversation with ATD community activists.  We discussed issues such as the experience of socio- economic discrimination and the importance of giving people an avenue to express their voice.  The activists felt as though she actively listened to what they had to say and paid careful attention when they shared their personal testimonies…

Under the Charites Governance Code all registered charities are required to complete this Charities Governance Code Compliance Record Form every year.  ATD Ireland currently has a working group in place commissioned by the board to coordinate governance issues and the strategic work plan.  The group decided on these four interrelated strategic goals through several discussions and in consideration of the concerns and wishes of all members. These goals were approved by the directors at the board meeting and the draft goals were on display and discussed with members over a number of weeks prior to the AGM. Following are the draft…

“The activity taken place over this past year, showcased in this report, demonstrates the cohesive nature of our work and a genuine participation of individuals and families living in poverty, striving together to improve our community. Each element of the work is interlinked and each informs the other, from grassroots level projects to developing and promoting more inclusive policy and practice across Irish society. Leaving no one behind”. – Dann Kenningham, National CoordinationATD’s Annual General Meeting was held on the 18th of May at 6pm. There were 25 company members and 6 staff in attendance at the meeting, joining either in…

Reflections on the Trinity module On the 29th March 2022, a group from ATD Ireland brought a third instalment of the ‘poverty awareness practice’ for second year social worker students before going out on placement.  On the 21st of April, a group of ATD members came together who previously partook in the Poverty aware module to educate and share their experiences with social work students from Trinity College. ATD evaluated the Trinity module to see how this in the future could help to break barriers and possibly be a first step in creating more awareness on lived experiences of poverty. For…

Breaking Barriers On the 29th March 2022, a group from ATD Ireland brought a third instalment of the ‘poverty awareness practice’ for second year social worker students before going out on placement.  This was the first time the group had the opportunity to conduct such a session in person.   It was very important for the activists to be on Trinity campus and speak with students and professors as a way of breaking down barriers particularly noting the status that Trinity College holds in Irish society, “I never thought I’d get to see the inside of trinity college”.  Knowing the standing that…

On the 4- 6th March team members Ciara and Tara, along with community activist Gavin travelled to Wijhe, the Netherlands for to take part in a meet up for the ATD European Youth Dynamic.   The purpose of this trip was a preparatory weekend for a larger youth meet up in July which will hopefully lead to young people from this dynamic having their voices heard at the European Parliament in Strasbourg in 2023.  The weekend in Wijhe included countries from Ireland, France, the Netherlands, Poland, Belgium, Luxembourg and Spain. We stayed on the peaceful ATD farm Zwervel, which is ran by…

ATD Ireland are in the process of undertaking a new youth film project; 'Through Our Lens at Last: The stories untold'.  The aim of this project is to shine a new light on communities which are too often cast with a bad light and are subject to shame, stigma and socio - economic discrimination.  In particular the young members of these communities often carry the brunt of the blame and do not have the opportunity to share their views on the issues which impact them.  We also rarely get to hear the many positive traits and characteristics of impoverished communities and…