- ATD Fourth World

With the support of
Professor Andrzej Zoll,
Commissioner for Human Rights in Poland
European Economic and Social Committee
Warsaw University

Under the auspices of
Mr Aleksander Kwaśniewski;
President of the Republic of Poland,
Mr Walter Schwimmer;
Secretary-General of the Council of Europe

and members of the Committee of Support, including
Mr Bronis³aw Geremek, Mr José María Gil-Robles, Cardinal Józef Glemp, Mr. Federico Mayor, Mr Tadeusz Mazowiecki, Mr Andrei Plesu, Mrs Mary Robinson, Mario Soares, Mr Petar Stoyanov, Cardinal Miloslav Vlk

To understand the meeting…

As Europe continues to develop economically, socially and politically, large numbers of people are being left behind. These men, women and children are engaged in a daily struggle to keep going in spite of so many obstacles and to ensure that their dignity and that of those close to them is respected. Their experience and understanding of their situation are key elements in determining what still needs to be done in an expanding Europe so that each person and each family has access to their fundamental rights, the means to live in security and dignity and the conditions necessary to make an active contribution to society.

Following on from similar meetings organised regularly since 1989 by ATD Fourth World and the European Economic and Social Committee, the Warsaw meeting will create opportunities for a genuine dialogue between people from 16 European countries with very different horizons: people living in poverty, members of NGOs which support them, national and European politicians and civil servants and leading members of Europe’s cultural and religious life.

This meeting will provide those attending with an opportunity to reaffirm their commitment to building an inclusive Europe and will make and original and necessary contribution to this process. Discussion will focus on:

• the need to involve all members of society in contributing to the respect of everyone’s dignity;
• the extent to which it is necessary to gain the commitment of everyone to enable European citizens and peoples to live together in harmony;
• the ambitions people share for a Europe free from poverty and social exclusion;
• harnessing the experience and the participation of people living in poverty in order to enable the advancement of democracy in Europe and in the wider world.

The preparation by delegates for this meeting, which has been taking place for several months, includes the development of these and other themes. Working methods seek to allow the participation of all delegates, especially those who have the most difficulties, and include contact and exchanges between some of the delegates before the meeting takes place.

Programme

Thursday 5th February
Delegations arrive at Warsaw University
Accommodation in host families in Warsaw

Friday 6th February
9:00 Welcome at Warsaw University
9:30 - 12:00 Creative workshops
14:00 Official opening (plenary)
16:00 - 18:00 Discussion groups (12 groups of around 20-25 people)
18:30 Reception for participants, host families and guests
20:00 Party

Saturday 7th February
9:00 - 12:00 Continuation of discussion groups
14:00 - 16:00 Closing plenary session

Sunday 8th February
Tour of Warsaw, delegations leave.

Address:

Mouvement International ATD Quart Monde
Délégation Région Europe
107 avenue Général Leclerc; F-95480 Pierrelaye
Tel. 33 (0)1 34 30 46 17; Fax 33 (0)1 34 30 46 15
region.europe@atd-quartmonde.org