By Will Horwitz
The 17th October was the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, and anti-poverty charity ATD 4th World marked it with a series of events in London and Surry. Community Links have worked with ATD in the past, most recently on our ‘working alongside’ report into people’s experiences of the benefits system.
Brendan Coyne, a full-time volunteer at the charity, tells us more about last week’s events.
“This year, we marked the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty with three events – an open day at the London offices, a photography exhibition in Camberwell and a walk at Brookwood Cemetery in Surrey to commemorate those buried in unmarked graves as a result of their extreme poverty. ATD volunteers and family members also attended the TUC 2009 Anti Poverty Conference on 19th October, providing three speakers for the plenary session and workshops.
“The London offices were opened to families, friends and the general public from 11am until 3pm on the morning and afternoon of the 17th October. Visitors were presented with an exhibition covering ATD’s work in the UK, a multimedia room displaying information about the 17th October worldwide and an information room with details of local and national anti-poverty organisations and charities. They were also given the opportunity to record their own thoughts on poverty in a video booth and to sign the STEP Campaign’s declaration against extreme poverty. Throughout the day, testimonies describing the struggle against poverty were read by family members at seventeen minutes past the hour. There was also a short speech by Jean Lambert, the Green Party MEP for London. The day was both informative and moving, bringing home the reality of living in poverty to many whilst encouraging them to strive against it.
“To complement the open day, ATD Fourth World – in partnership with London based artist Eva Sajovic – held a photography exhibition entitled The Roles We Play at a local venue in Camberwell. The photographs explored the roles played in society by those living in poverty, and invited the viewer to consider how they could contribute to the eradication of extreme poverty, in partnership with those experiencing poverty and exclusion on a daily basis. The exhibition also provided a good deal of groundwork for future artistic projects that will continue challenging the stereotypes that are imposed upon those living in poverty.
“In Surrey, the section of ATD’s UK Team that is based at Frimhurst was heavily involved with the Pilgrimage Stroll Against Poverty at Brookwood Cemetery. This involved a guided work around the cemetery’s Pauper Area, where from 1854 onwards special funeral trains brought thousands of London’s poor, hospital patients and prisoners to be buried in unmarked graves. The walk was followed by a ceremony commemorating all those who were denied dignity not only in life but also in death because they lived in poverty. Along with the other UK events marking the 17th October, the Pilgrimage Stroll formed part of Stand Up Take Action, a global campaign to get a record number of people to stand up against poverty and in support of the Millenium Development Goals.
“The events marking the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty were rounded of with the annual TUC Anti Poverty Conference on 19th October. The conference was entitled ‘An Alternative Vision for the Welfare State’ and was attended by representatives from several unions, anti-poverty organisations and unemployed workers’ centres. ATD Fourth World member Kathy Kelly opened the conference with a speech detailing her experiences of modern welfare services and how far they have deviated from the system envisaged by the Beveridge Report in 1942. ATD member Moraene Roberts formed part of a speaking panel for a workshop on rights and responsibilities, whilst ATD member Amanda Button read a testimony by James Riley and fielded questions in a workshop based around the idea of dignity. Overall, the conference outlined the severe problems faced by those who seek to use welfare services, as well the feelings of impotence and frustration experienced by those on the other side of the counter forced to work within an increasingly impersonal system. Despite these negatives, the conference was brought to positive resolution, with a pledge to go forwards together to seek ways of fighting poverty and inequality in the UK.”
