From 9- 11th July 2024, ATD International leadership team member Martin and ATD team Europe Ketty and Pierre spent three days visiting ATD Ireland and getting to know the projects and community here in Ireland. The International Leadership Team “is responsible for coordinating ATD worldwide, both sparking creative initiatives, and helping to sustain the collective will of our members, particularly for those whose commitment is a life-long choice.” ATD Europe are responsible for co- ordinating actions across ATD teams in Europe outside of France. The week was filled with insightful discussions, community visits, and reflective moments, showcasing the commitment of ATD to uplift the voice of those experiencing poverty. From having deep and meaningful discussions about our hopes and outlooks for the organization and future to singing together as one, the week was spent fostering a sense of unity and purpose, celebrating our shared commitment to making a difference. The programme for the 3 days was designed to highlight, through visits and discussions, key actions and achievements of ATD Ireland.
Watch here a short video from the week!
The week started with a welcome open house for many members of our community from community activists, families, board members, friends and volunteers along with the team, and our student interns here for the summer. While we continued with our weekly tradition of cooking lunch for our open house visitors, ATD Ireland presented our recent projects, especially ‘Creative Pathways to Participation’ and watched the film together. Those present gathered around to have the opportunity to see the film and discuss this and other recent projects such as the #Addthe10th public opinion project, where are summer interns are asking people on the street about their views on socio- economic discrimination. It was a great opportunity for those unfamiliar with our work in Ireland to understand more about what that encapsulates.
After lunch, Maurice led us in a vibrant sing along circle! We then took an opportunity to talk about ATD Ireland and reflect on our role in the communities we work in.
The first question that was asked was: What is important about the work of ATD Ireland in Ireland?
Overall, the common consensus was that the work of ATD Ireland is crucial because of the deep, ongoing engagement with marginalized communities. These are communities that are often overlooked and stigmatized, where residents frequently do not have opportunities to voice their concerns and experiences. ATD Ireland steps into these spaces with a commitment not just to visit or provide temporary assistance, but to stay and build long-term relationships. By doing so, they create platforms where people from these communities can share their stories, express their needs, and be heard in ways they might never have been before. This approach of sustained presence and genuine listening allows ATD to foster trust and empowerment among those who are often silenced or ignored, making their advocacy efforts both impactful and authentic.
This sentiment is echoed by Martin, who emphasized, “It is important because we have to show what is positive in communities. However, in order to do that, we have to speak out, we have to be present in the community.”
Dann shared the impact of this approach: “When we went to the World Bank, they were shocked that we had people who were so willing and trusting to be able to share their stories. Because we have been there for them, not by saying it, but by showing it, they speak to us about their struggles.” This highlights the trust and credibility ATD Ireland has built within communities, and how this is essential is enabling people to take part in our public facing advocacy work.
Paul pointed out, “It is important because we are not affiliated with any political party. That is not what we are about. We are here to just support people in their living circumstances and be there for them, not focus on politics.” This non-partisan stance allows ATD to focus solely on the needs of the people they serve.
An overarching theme was the importance of the space we create at ATD Ireland which underpins all of our projects and advocacy work. Creating this non- judgemental space, especially on a Tuesday, based on trustful relationships, open conversations, hope, confidence building and fun is the foundation of our work. Paul explained how “this free space and atmosphere created here is key to our collective and individual development. It is the training ground to learn together how to communicate- meeting and working with a wide array of people (friends professionals- academics) helps us build confidence- we find our voice here- and we learn together how to speak out publicly”. Juliette further highlighted, “All of the trust, confidence and dignity that carries out through all the amazing projects – such as Poverty Aware Practice and the international advocacy – comes from this space and sitting around this table. ” This trust is fundamental to ATD’s success and its ability to effect change.
Erna added, “The sense of community and belonging is one of the strengths of the organization.”
Tara emphasized the collaborative nature of ATD’s efforts: “It’s nice because it’s not like its staff or clients; we are all just working together because we care for the same issues. We are breaking barriers between people who may not trust or each other or who have ever had the opportunity to interact. Creating these spaces for mutual learning and understanding is important.”
Isabelle also spoke about this teamwork we have as a group. “There is a strong sense of togetherness between them and they communicate a sense of searching and acting together, bringing forward a movement fighting against poverty and discrimination and for Human rights and leaving no one behind. Their unity gives strength to their work and an ability to be reactive, flexible… This basic core is open to others coming along and getting involved”. – Isabelle
“ATD gives young people a voice- makes you see things from a different perspective. ATD gives you the confidence to talk at different events. Everyone in ATD has different challenges, for example, for me, the challenges to education”. – Craig
We spoke of how things have grown and developed over the last number of years. “A very clear development of the work of ATD in Ireland in the last few years has been the increase in fronting of ATD projects by activists with lived experience of poverty. This has been hugely impressive and has been fostered largely by Dann’s long experience in the UK and elsewhere in supporting activists in taking a lead role in public presenting of ATD actions. …A second noteworthy development of importance has been the expansion of the ATD projects to reach a wider range of target groups”. – Mark. This is a testament to the dedication and courage of our community activists and willingness to put themselves out there.
The importance of this activist fronting of projects is emphasized by Isabelle, “We are struck how the team constantly seeks and seized new opportunities to do this advocacy work at local national and European level and international. It is striking that in this advocacy work the activists are in the fore front with confidence thanks to the ground preparation work done together. With their presence in circles where people with an experience of poverty are not often present they bring in a very human, personal and sensitive way the reality of poverty and where it hurts”.
Lastly, a community member reflected on the broader significance of ATD’s work: “For me, what’s most important is that it puts across the way of knowing something like poverty that’s not mainstream. ATD is showing what it really means to live with poverty, and that’s such an important way of looking at the picture.“
This collection of perspectives underscores the profound impact of ATD Ireland’s mission and methods. By embedding themselves within communities and focusing on authentic, long-term engagement, ATD Ireland not only amplifies the voices of those often unheard but also builds a foundation of trust and collaboration that is essential for meaningful change. This steadfast dedication to staying and truly listening sets ATD Ireland apart, ensuring that their advocacy is rooted in real experiences and capable of driving impactful, lasting improvements.
The second question asked to follow was: What are the challenges we face?
While ATD Ireland has strong community support, it faces significant challenges due to insufficient political and policy progress. While it is extremely important to have community support and make sure that the communities know we are here for them, at the end of the day, for things to truly change, the laws and politics have to be changed.
Crucially, Mark described how “In the new context of activists fronting these various projects, there is always a risk of activist burn-out and critique that, given their courageous and creative agency & inputs, the expected social, political and structural changes are not happening fast enough, or at all”.
Another participant noted, “The government is our biggest challenge. They choose to talk about different issues and focus on only those issues, instead of focusing on issues like the ones we are talking about.” This sentiment underscores the critical need for political attention to the issues that ATD addresses, which often get sidelined in broader policy discussions.
Furthermore, it was emphasized that while government and laws are crucial, focusing solely on these elements is insufficient. As a member pointed out, “While the government and laws are important, I don’t think we can focus on only those in a certain way because it’s all the pieces of society who make things happen. So, we have to have all the stakeholders, people who have a role in all aspects of society who have to be reached.” This perspective stresses the necessity of engaging a broad spectrum of stakeholders, ensuring that everyone with a role in societal change is involved.
Martin spoke of the challenge internationally of attracting young people to the volunteer corps who may feel passionate about important causes like anti racism work or gender equality, but cannot see the link between these issues and our work “we have to find the words to realise we are talking about the same thing”.
As expressed by Isabelle we must remain committed to “Reaching out to new people experiencing poverty, possibly through contacts with others, community groups as the team already does and possibly families with young children. It could be through getting more rooted in one particularly disadvantaged Dublin community such as Darndale or Coolock”.
In summary, the main challenges for ATD Ireland are bridging the gap between community support and political action, ensuring that the voices of those in poverty are heard in the halls of power, continuing to get to know more people, both those experiencing persistent poverty and committed to it’s eradication, and mobilizing a diverse range of stakeholders to drive comprehensive societal change.
Lastly, to end on a more positive and hopeful note, the final question discussed was:
What are your hopes for the future?
Mostly everyone’s hopes for the future were for their children to not have to worry about these issues and for children not only nationwide but worldwide to be able to grow up differently from the way those in marginalized communities are growing up now. Additionally, focusing on ATD, hopes were for more of that political support that we currently lack and further growth of connections in order to get things done.
“The hope is that our children won’t have to experience these issues and they won’t be the ones to talk about these issues and advocate for them the way we are now,” said one participant. This reflects a universal desire for progress and a world where poverty and marginalization are no longer inherited burdens.
In addition to these personal hopes, there is a strong focus on the future of ATD and its mission. “My hope for the future is to break those barriers and to do it in more sectors, whether that’s in social work or talking to judiciary workers or healthcare workers, just deepening our networks and connections,” shared Tara, highlighting the importance of expanding ATD’s influence across various sectors.
“Along with the increased public agency of our activists, the organisation has a small but highly effective team, an active group of friends & supporters, and a talented and engaged Board of Management. For its size, ATD Ireland is punching above its weight! Strategically, we could perhaps look to achieve a better programmatic and project balance to our work moving forward, and we could use niche opportunities to deepen the level of engagement of young people in volunteer and other roles in the organisation.” Mark speaks about our focus on project focused action- often due to funding constraints, rather than our ongoing work.
Pierre presented the recently launched European report, ‘BUILDING A FUTURE WITHOUT POVERTY FOR CHILDREN: PARENTS AND SOCIETY TOGETHER’. He shares a hope for change in child protection systems in Europe that they will better support families and recognise poverty as a root cause for many of the issues leading to intervention from child protection systems.
We also stressed the importance of combining personal narratives with statistical data to drive change. “I hope that this sense of hearing stories along with the statistics will continue to grow. ATD and the work that they do will continue and grow to resonate at higher levels successfully,” one member expressed. This underscores the belief that sharing human experiences alongside empirical data is crucial for impactful advocacy. Along the same lines, Craig stated his hope that “the government listens to young people as they are the future” – Craig
In summary, the hopes for the future revolve around ensuring that the next generation does not have to face the same struggles, securing political support, expanding networks, and continuing the powerful blend of storytelling and statistics to foster understanding and drive change.
On Wednesday, we met at Trinity College Dublin. Over the last number of years, we have been developing a closer relationship with the Trinity Social Work department and in particular, academics who have been very supportive of our work. Professors Erna O’Connor and Joe Whelan gave us a tour of some notable Trinity landmarks before we discussed our Poverty Aware Practice module. We watched our poverty aware practice film and followed it with a discussion with the team, community activists, Erna, Joe and Professor Sinead Whiting.
A key theme of the discussion was the importance of connecting social work students with the communities they will serve. Social workers often face stigma due to numerous negative stories and experiences. Our community activists often relate this to the constant stigma they have faced throughout their lives. However, by fostering a relationship with Trinity’s Social Work department, they can build a deeper mutual understanding and develop new knowledge which can lead to better outcomes for families experiencing social work intervention. Niall, a student on placement with ATD who attended the poverty aware practice shown in the film, shared his perspective. He noted that while studying social work can be challenging, personal stories and testimonies like those in the film inspire him and many other students to persevere in their efforts. It can help give a better understanding of many issues related to poverty which can impact people and families.
Building on Niall’s insights, we delved further into the transformative power of personal testimonies in changing public opinion at both political and social levels. Personal stories have a unique ability to humanize abstract issues, making them relatable and urgent to a wider audience. This topic was also touched upon the previous day when discussing how politicians can be influenced by such narratives. Ultimately, we are all human, and our discussion emphasized this by highlighting the profound impact stories have on individuals. We agreed that holding events like the one featured in the film at Trinity amplifies the voices of those who might not otherwise have the opportunity to share their stories, reaching audiences who might not have heard them otherwise.
Paul spoke on the development of the community activists over this years as they have been presenting this module and become more confident in expressing themselves publicly. Much of this is down to the peer support nurtured within our ATD community space as discussed on Tuesday. Taking this into consideration, Erna highlighted how the community activists are naturally amazing teachers. They have the lived experience and expertise to train social workers to best do their job.
Discussions also highlighted the systemic issues surrounding child protection and addiction. Participants noted the lack of effective, affordable rehabilitation facilities and the need for a holistic approach to addiction recovery. Community activists shared their struggles and emphasized the importance of addressing the root causes of poverty to prevent a cycle of trauma and economic hardship.
The event concluded with a recognition of the slow and challenging nature of systemic change. While progress may be gradual, the role of social workers as reliable allies to the communities they serve is invaluable. Their consistent support, even in small ways, contributes to meaningful and lasting impact.
The discussion at Trinity College Dublin was a powerful reminder of the importance of personal stories in social work, the need for mutual understanding, and the ongoing effort required to address systemic issues. By continuing to hold such events and fostering these connections, we can work towards a more compassionate and effective social work practice.
On Thursday, we met at Liberty Hall for a tour of the North Inner City led by Martin Byrne and Seanie Lambe. Martin explored with us the significance of the bridges and the courageous struggle of people like Rosie Hackett, Matt Talbot, Isaac Butt, Sean O’ Casey and Samuel Beckett. We finalised our tour at the Famine Statues, and the poverty stone to reflect on the importance of 17th October UN Day for the Eradication of Poverty in Ireland. There are poverty stones in over 30 countries throughout the world. The stone is a symbol of poverty with those living in persistent poverty and in Ireland it is where we have held the Dublin 17th October event since 2008. However, 17th October commemorations had been taking place by the Famine Statues for several years before this. Seanie and Stuart Williams spoke about the process of getting the stone put in place. See here to read “Voices for Dignity- Ten years at the Irish Human Rights and Poverty Stone”. Seanie spoke on how “meeting ATD helped me realise the importance of continuous reaching out to people affected by poverty“. We then had a moment to read the text of stone as we do each 17th October. After a moment of reflection to some music, we then shared some highlights from 17th October over the years. We spoke about the importance of highlighting the lived experience and knowledge of those experiencing poverty. Cesy, Zora and Niall read some testimonies from previous years.
We spoke about the connection between the poverty stone, the famine statues and the EPIC emigration museum across the road. “Millions are still starving today”- Craig
Martin from the ILT spoke on the importance of 17th October internationally. A woman living in poverty once described the stone in Dakar as “the only place she didn’t feel shame“. Speaking in our “17 voices” film, Martin powerfully describing the stone and 17th October says “the opposite of shame happens here”.
Speaking on her hopes for the future, Isabelle said that she hopes we can “Continue getting the message of the Stone and the 17 October better known in different circles, so the 17 Oct day can continue to be a rallying point for all those who find an echo in its message and who feel reinforced in their work and commitment through it. The 17 October is particularly significant at a time in Ireland when divisive messages in Irish society could tear apart communities“.
Later we took a visit to Ballymun where ATD Ireland have always tried to have a strong presence.
Throughout the week we also had family and community visits. We visited long time community activists Jimmy and Christina who shared some of their recent raps and poetry. Click here to watch Christina’s story from ‘Lockdown Liberties’.
Martin, Ketty and Pierre also had some planning meetings with the team to discuss some key issues- such as community outreach, long term team capacity and housing.
Thank you so much to Martin, Ketty and Pierre for spending this time to immerse themselves in the work of ATD Ireland. Thank you so much also to our friends, partners and everyone who contributed to this important week of reflection and planning. We look forward to continue to look towards the future, working in partnership with those affected by persistent poverty.
