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“Poverty is a societal issue and it needs to be tackled systemically. Socio-economic discrimination is as real and as painful as all other types of discrimination, and needs to be stopped. Why should someone who is already struggling with poverty, debt, isolation, lack of opportunities, shame, stigma, reduced access to healthcare, then on top of that be discriminated? It is inhumane. This is a denial of basic human rights and highlights the issue of socio- economic discrimination as a non-existent ground in Irish equality legislation. "The reality that people in poverty need to campaign to have the legal right not to…

On Tuesday 7th May we held a beautiful, inspiring event for the launch of our “Creative Pathways to Participation” book and film.  The launch event was about celebrating the rich creative outputs contained within the project and, together, showcasing how it supports the goal to “Leave No One Behind”.  Read and download the entire book, as well as each individual contribution, here. We held the project in Trinity College, with MC generously provided by Professor Dr Joe Whelan.  The launch was held in a lecture theatre in the School of Midwifery and Nursing outside the main Trinity College Campus.  Joe opened…

"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…

On Wednesday 17th April 2024 the #Addthe10th alliance including representatives from EAPN Ireland, CLM, CAN, ILMI and Community Activist Andrew and the ATD Ireland team met with Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth Roderic O' Gorman to discuss the urgent need to implement socio- economic status as a ground of discrimination in the equality legislation. Throughout the meeting we discussed the impact of socio- economic discrimination on communities who continue to experience stigma and blame for systemic societal issues.  It was discussed how the issue of socio- economic discrimination intersects with other inequalities and how ultimately the recognition of socio-…

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…

On Tuesday 26th March, ATD Ireland animated a workshop session about the ‘Poverty Aware Practice’ module for the social work students of Trinity College. ATD team was represented by Lorraine, Christina, Andrew, Kye, Jimmy and Paul. This module aims to promote positive practice from activists to social workers that will be helpful within the scope of their future employment.The conversation between ATD community activists and the classroom was with the intention to bridge the gap between people in poverty and social workers. As the workshop started Paul spoke out on the history between this disconnection and that it didn’t belong in…

Over the years, art in all its forms, has been considered as a way of expression. It is a common language that draws feelings and emotions regardless of people's backgrounds. As powerful as it is, art highlights societal issues and spreads love and hope. Indeed, it is one of the most efficient ways to massively spread an idea and gather people on the issue's importance. It creates a strong bond among people and contributes to increasing the audience of messages and their understanding. Moreover, if it translates abstract ideas or concepts such as SDGs, it shares daily testimonies about suffering, and…

People experiencing poverty across six countries have informed World Bank and International Monetary Fund on how to ensure inclusivity and epistemic justice when developing policy, with the support of lecturer Dr Rachel Broady.Rachel, who teaches Media, Culture and Communication at Liverpool John Moores University, travelled to Washington DC, as a delegate for the UK, to attend the “Addressing Hidden Dimensions of Poverty in Knowledge and Policies” international conference held at World Bank HQ on February 14, 2024. The conference was the result of three-years of participatory research between human rights based anti-poverty organisation ATD Fourth World and Oxford University for which…

On Thursday 15th February ATD Ireland National Co- Ordinator Dann Kenningham  joined a delegation involved in the Hidden Dimensions of Poverty International research presenting at a conference at the World Bank in Washington DC “Addressing the Hidden Dimensions of Poverty in Knowledge and Policies”.  Dann Co -ordinated the Hidden Dimensions of poverty research in the UK.  Below are his reflections on the event. Having the invitation to the World Bank & IMF felt at first like stepping on unholy ground .. stepping into the belly of the beast.But having the opportunity to present the Hidden Dimensions of Poverty International Research; a…

On Tuesday 6th February ATD Ireland Community Activists Jimmy and Lorraine presented at UN Webinar on “Eliminating Inequity and Systemic Exclusion: A Rights based approach to Social and Economic Policy Justice”.  This was a side event to the 62nd Commission on Social Development, organized by Maryann Broxton, ATD Fourth World’s Representative at the United Nations.  “Halfway to the deadline for the 2030 Agenda, we are leaving more than half the world behind” The focus of this event was outlining examples of good practice social policies which can put social and economic justice into action, given the current context of rising inequalities,…