Latest Posts

The work of the International Committee for October 17 ended in Newry at the All Island conference on Poverty and Human Rights On the last day of the meeting of the International Committee for the Day for Eradication of Poverty (from 12th to 16th May in Dublin), Diana Skelton, Committee member from USA, presented the United Nations Guiding Principles on Extreme Poverty and Human Rights. Responding to the invitation of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Designate and the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission, Diana Skelton was a guest speaker at the Conference "A Human Rights Approach to Tackling Poverty…

The International Committee for October 17 and Irish Community Groups Gather in Dublin to Promote International Day for the Eradication of Poverty Venue: Sheriff Youth Club, 1 Commons Street, North Wall, Dublin 1 Date: Wednesday, 14th May 2014.  Time: 10.30am In 1992, the United Nations recognised the 17 October as the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty. Since then, governments, local authorities, members of civil society and the private sector have recognized the importance of this International Day, which has become a key rallying point for a growing number of citizens from all backgrounds and organizations, in the fight to…

The IHRC and the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission will organise a joint conference on A Human Rights Approach to Tackling Poverty and Social Inequality  - An All Island Perspective at the Canal Court Hotel, Newry, 9am to 4pm, Friday 16 May 2014. The conference will focus on the nature, extent and experience of poverty and social inequality in particular food poverty, inadequate housing and debt. It will highlight the importance of protecting and vindicating economic, social and cultural rights in times of economic crisis. Read conference programme for details. To register to participate please email: rsvp@ihrc.ie

"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…

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…

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…

“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…

Day for the Eradication of Poverty was first marked at a major public rally held on 17 October 1987 in Paris, which was organised by ATD Fourth World.  In 1992, the United Nations declared the 17 October  as the International Day. In 2008, an International  Committee for October 17 was established to promote the awareness and commemoration of  the UN Day around the world. From 12th to 14th May 2014, this International Committee will gather in Dublin for its biennial working meeting. The Committee chose to meet in the Irish capital city because in  ways Ireland has exhibited a strong commitment to…

On 27th September 2012, the UN Human Rights Council adopted by consensus Guiding Principles on Extreme Poverty and Human Rights. Through its adoption, member states of the Human Rights Council affirmed that eradicating extreme poverty is not only a moral duty but also a legal obligation under existing international human rights law. With the United Nations Over 60 member states actively supported the resolution as co-sponsors. Led by France, its ambassador reminded the Council that, "Extreme poverty is, if a reminder is needed, a universal phenomenon. In this context, adoption by consensus of this resolution constitutes a significant advancement in the…