In Africa, from 6 to 13 October, ATD Fourth World organized a training session on the Merging of Knowledge approach at the Cucherusset Centre in Bangui, Central African Republic. The week-long training brought together around forty participants, including academics, professionals, volunteer corps members, allies, and activists (people with lived experience of poverty). Coming from Burkina Faso, the Central African Republic, Côte d’Ivoire, the Democratic Republic of Congo, France, Rwanda, Senegal, and Tanzania, they gathered to deepen their understanding of a methodology that places the knowledge of people living in poverty at the heart of social change.

The initiative emerged in response to requests from ATD members across the region who wished to learn how to facilitate Merging of Knowledge projects. The training also sought to strengthen the network of allies in Africa and support the development of locally led initiatives.

While certain members were already familiar with the Merging of Knowledge methodology through the Hidden Dimensions of Poverty research project, this training aimed to take their learning a step further. Beyond understanding the principles of the approach, participants explored how to apply them in practice and how to develop Merging of Knowledge projects within their own communities and countries.

Creating the Conditions for Real and Effective Participation for

People Living in Poverty in Africa

• Merging of Knowledge brings together three forms of knowledge: the lived experiences of people in poverty, the practical knowledge of professionals, and the academic knowledge of researchers and university lecturers.

By establishing a space where diverse forms of knowledge can come together on equal footing, the Merging of Knowledge enables the development of new understandings and insights. The outcome fosters greater knowledge and can lead to social change that benefits everyone. The training was led by Florence Bernard, Sophie Boyer, ¹ and Martin Kalisa ². Throughout the week, they adapted the training to African realities and local cultural contexts while remaining faithful to the Merging of Knowledge’s fundamental principles.

A central feature of the Merging of Knowledge approach is the use of personal accounts. Participants are invited to reflect on and share experiences connected to the theme being explored, helping the group draw on lived realities rather than assumptions or preconceived ideas. The training encouraged dialogue, mutual understanding, and collaboration among participants from different backgrounds, ensuring that people living in poverty could contribute on an equal footing with academics, professionals, and other participants.

Adapting the Merging of Knowledge Without Changing Its Foundations

While certain aspects of the training were adapted to cultural contexts, the foundations of the Merging of Knowledge approach remained unchanged. As in all Merging of Knowledge projects, participants first worked in peer groups composed of people with similar experiences and backgrounds before engaging in dialogue with other groups³. As with every Merging of Knowledge project, peer groups included at least one group of people who have experienced poverty. This process allows each group to build confidence, deepen its reflections, and develop collective thinking before entering into a broader exchange. Participants learned the key stages of collective co-construction with people living in poverty⁴. Through this process, participants do not simply share perspectives; they work together to create new knowledge and understanding. They explored how to establish a steering committee, define objectives, form peer groups, and guide collective reflection throughout a project.

Supporting the Development of Local Projects

At the end of the training, participants met in groups organised by country to consider how they could build on what they had learned and continue strengthening their skills. Together, they identified themes that could be explored through the Merging of Knowledge approach and discussed ways of launching projects adapted to their local contexts.

Several Merging of Knowledge initiatives are already underway, reflecting participants’ commitment to putting the methodology into practice and creating opportunities for people living in poverty to contribute directly to social change.

This year’s training brought together French-speaking participants. A future session later this year is planned to include English- and Swahili-speaking participants, enabling the methodology to reach a wider range of communities across the region.

The training concluded with a group photograph, capturing more than a week of learning. It reflected the friendships formed, the solidarity shared, and a common conviction that lasting change is only possible when the knowledge and experiences of people living in poverty are recognised as essential to understanding and transforming society.

1. members of the Merging of Knowledge team in France
2. member of ATD’s International Leadership Team at the time of the meeting
3. The participants first work in peer groups with people from the same background, then compare their experiences with those of other peer groups
4. We use the term ‘co-construction’ because, through the work of the Merging of Knowledge approach, a new understanding of the topic emerges, allowing participants to build something collectively to change life in society.