By Lucie Larcher

A joyful procession winds its way through Geneva’s Libellules neighbourhood to the beat of drums and flutes, marking the beginning of the Festival of Arts and Knowledge, which was held this year from 12 to 16 July.

Reaching out

This event exemplifies a major objective for the ATD Fourth World team in Geneva: drawing out the knowledge of the most excluded people. The goal is to build knowledge together by highlighting the talents and skills of people in the neighbourhood.

From the very first meeting, one idea struck me as a guiding principle for the future: the need to seek out contributions from everyone. As Aurélia, a Volunteer Corps member in Geneva, pointed out, quoting Martine Le Corre, “It is not simply a matter of passing on knowledge, but of creating a space where people who have often been marginalised can fully be themselves.” [note: Martine Le Corre, Les miens sont ma force (My People Are My Strength), Éditions ATD Quart Monde, 2023]. This festival celebrates the recognition of all forms of contribution, particularly those of people living in poverty, who find here a place to share their experiences.

Among the most memorable moments for me were the intergenerational exchanges. The workshops, real hubs of creativity, helped forge strong bonds between generations. Jean-Marie, an ATD Fourth World Activist, guided a group of teenagers in decorating notebooks using recycled fabrics and other materials, while Muna taught a dozen participants the delicate art of folding samosas — fried pastries filled with vegetables or meat. On the last day, parents and children worked together to knead pizza dough, which was shared at the festival’s closing party.

As the days went by, I realised that workshops not only provide spaces for creativity, but also allow everyone to feel empowered to take action by getting involved in the community. Paco is an example of this dynamic. At the beginning of the festival, he kept a low profile, observing and chatting with volunteer corps members. I noticed that he was gradually getting more involved and, when it came to pottery making, he felt comfortable enough to help young people create their pieces. In this way, he was able to pass on his knowledge and skills while taking part in a collective project. Shared knowledge thus becomes a vehicle for empowerment and action, enabling participants to find an active place within their community.

Learning from one another

I realised that the ATD Fourth World team in Geneva provides the tools to enable these exchanges, but it is the participants’ willingness that truly shapes the experience. As the days go by, participants form bonds, they get more involved, and everyone can feel recognised for what they have to offer. This process not only boosts self-esteem, but also restores a sense of belonging and dignity to people who are too often marginalised by society.

By creating these spaces for exchanges, we go beyond the simple notion of sharing to embrace a dynamic of collective social transformation where everyone contributes to a common project while valuing their own identity and skills.

But more than that, this festival changed my perspective as an ATD Fourth World Ally and now Volunteer Corps member. Being at the heart of this event allowed me to redefine my understanding of poverty and adopt a new perspective. The rich, authentic interactions gave me an insight into the difficulties these families face every day”. These short exchanges showed me that poverty is not just a material issue, but that it affects people’s dignity and their ability to take action. In this setting, I learned from Volunteer Corps members to listen without judgement and to approach people where they are ready to invite me into their lives, to build a relationship of trust.

Sharing art and culture at this festival also took on an activist dimension for me. It becomes a vehicle for social change, where creativity, cultural differences, and the strength of each person are valued. It was an invitation to think for oneself, to break free from conventional beliefs, and to find one’s place within a community that recognises and honours everyone’s contribution. Ultimately, the festival showed that by bringing people together around a common goal — that of learning from one another — we can build a fairer society where everyone finds their place in the social fabric around them.