Policy, Participation and Training

The genuine and meaningful participation of the most vulnerable and excluded in discussions that touch upon not only their lives but also society as a whole is a fundamental objective of ATD Fourth World’s work.

Through our participatory policy programmes and workshops, people living in poverty are given the opportunity to share with policy makers their experience, knowledge and understanding of their situation.

Empowering people in this way to express their views and offer solutions towards national debates is the ultimate recognition of their worth, their potential and the contribution they can make. In the words of one mother, “It gives you your self-esteem, self-confidence and self-respect back. It’s not just therapeutic; it also helps other people.”

Regular meetings and workshops explore different themes, such as the informal economy, the impact of recession and economic crises on those with experience of poverty, the barriers people often face within the welfare system and the participation of “service users” in the training of newly-qualified social workers.