- ATD Fourth World

What are the Fourth World People’s Universities ?

The People’s Universities were established in 1972 by Joseph Wresinski, founder of the International Movement ATD Fourth World. They bring together people living in poverty with people from other walks of life. They usually meet once a month to discuss a specific subject and are held in several countries across Europe. Preparatory work is carried out in smaller local groups.
These People’s Universities provide a forum for a dialogue between people living in persistent poverty and people from wider society. This forum is a place where the voices of people suffering poverty are listened to with respect. Their knowledge is recognised and enriched by the knowledge and experience of others, who in turn can pass on what they have learnt. In these People’s Universities people share their personal commitments to eradicate extreme poverty.

The European Conferences of the Fourth World People’s Universities

Since 1989, Fourth World People’s Universities have held meetings every two years, in collaboration with the Economic and Social Committee. Indeed, it is essential for the poorest to be able to exchange their local, regional and national experiences and explore the central themes in a European context. These meetings thus provide the opportunity for each of the Fourth World People’s Universities to address the similar subjects, and to enter into dialogue with managers, officials and associations who work with the EU Institutions.

Participants

• Representatives of Fourth World People’s Universities from different european countries
• Delegations of Partner Organisations
• Trade Unionists
• Representatives of NGOs
• Representatives of Member State Governments and Administrations
• Members and Officials of the European Commission, European Economic and Social Committee, Committee of Regions, European Parliament.

Previous themes

1989- The Guaranteed Minimum Income 1991- Citizenship - The Very Poors as Partners in the Construction of Europe 1993- A United Approach to Eradicating Poverty 1995- Culture and Human Activity for Overcoming Poverty 1997- Planet Earth- All Hands On Deck 1999- We All Play a Role in Upholding Human Rights 2001- Parents as the First Partners of their Children’s Future : An Objective for an Inclusive Europe 2004- Acting Together for a Europe of Dignity for All (Warsaw meeting)