A Movement Adapts to Change
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This article is based on the 17 March 2025 presentation by Bruno Dabout during “News and Perspectives”1.
Introspection and renewal
Will we stay engaged? As the International Leadership Team is reappointed, work is already underway to reflect on the future direction of ATD Fourth World. This moment presents an ideal opportunity for introspection and renewal.
One way we remain active is through our meetings. Thanks to advances in technology, we can stay connected and foster new relationships among ATD Fourth World members, regardless of distance.
As an international movement, we are committed to discovering what unites people from diverse cultures in their shared struggle against extreme poverty, while also finding the strength to keep pushing forward.
Strengthening connections with remote meetings
It has been five years since the pandemic, and during this time, despite all its challenges, we learned to hold meetings remotely. We adapted to using video tools for international advocacy webinars, national and regional team meetings, and training sessions. We have gained the skills to conduct productive virtual meetings and learned what works well remotely and what does not. When we were able to meet in person again, we found we could continue working remotely without any issues.
However, nothing can replace in-person visits for those who are socially isolated. Similarly, nothing compares to face-to-face interactions when it comes to deepening knowledge among peer groups […] during Merging of Knowledge sessions. That said, we have discovered that some Merging of Knowledge training sessions can successfully take place online. This has been particularly evident in Latin America. The experience with Zoom has reshaped our approach to building an international movement that spans all regions and countries.
Nevertheless, this raises an important question: Could the opposite also be true? Could it be beneficial to begin with remote meetings to get to know each other better […]? After these virtual introductions, could we then continue with in-person meetings that help us better fulfil our commitments, reflect on the impact of our actions, and mobilise new people and institutions?
Community of Ideas and Action on Social and Environmental Justice
This is what we aim to explore through the creation of a Community of Ideas and Action on Social and Environmental Justice — COMIDA. A team of six facilitators from Africa, the Americas, and Europe will lead a dynamic exchange of ideas, practices, and experiences among approximately forty grassroots groups. Each of these groups works locally to advance social equity, justice, and environmental protection, guided by ATD Fourth World’s unique approach, which begins with and includes the people most vulnerable to extreme poverty.
We are also now in the initial phase of meetings of the regional youth committees as part of the 2025 campaign, “Young Change Agents Facing the World’s Challenges”. The first meeting took place in Saint-Louis [Senegal], Africa, in November 2024. By the end of April 2025, a global pilot project, centred on these regional committees, will help shape the direction of the campaign. Drawing inspiration from their local exchanges with young people, these committees will define the campaign’s framework, propose key approaches, and develop practical tools to support the following stages of the initiative:
- Identify at the local level, the young people involved with ATD Fourth World today: What is their current involvement? What are the experiences that shaped them? What issues are they most passionate about? This process will help build connections, bring people together, and spark meaningful exchanges.
- Create spaces for remote dialogue between youth groups across the globe, encouraging reflection and collaboration. Gradually, they will create opportunities for young people to meet and share their experiences, first within their own countries, then across their regions, and eventually worldwide.
- Raise awareness among young people regarding the challenges they face in different contexts and environments.
We are preparing to hold in-person meetings between 2026 and 2027. The size and format of these gatherings will depend on the resources available.
As the International Leadership Team, we have an important question for the global pilot group:
- Can we create something meaningful together, something that unites young people around the world who support ATD Fourth World? Could this take the form of a shared statement, a creative work, a petition, or even a manifesto — something powerful enough to help drive real change for and alongside those living in the deepest poverty?
We are launching a campaign effort by doing things differently.
As always, we begin by listening to and working with those most affected by poverty—this is what gives our programmes their true meaning. These campaigns are just the beginning, and their shape will be defined by the voices and creativity of those who take part.
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