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invitation

Origins of the initiative

Nearly 15 years ago, on 17 October 1987, Joseph Wresinski, founder of the International Movement ATD Fourth World, was surrounded by 100 000 other defenders of human rights at the Trocadero Plaza of Liberty and Human Rights in Paris. Together they inaugurated a commemorative stone honouring the victims of poverty, upon which was engraved the appeal: “Wherever men and women are condemned to live in poverty, human rights are violated. To come together to ensure that these rights be respected is our solemn duty.”

They wanted to prove that the poorest people could come out of the shadows and speak and act for themselves. At the same time, they showed that fellow citizens could make a commitment alongside the poorest, to fight for equal rights and dignity for all.

Reproduced around the world

As a mark of support for the principles engraved on the commemorative stone laid at the Trocadero in Paris, other cities across the world laid similar stones at symbolic locations: the plaza of the Council of Europe in Strasbourg, the Reichstag in Berlin, the Saint Jean of Latran Basilica in Rome, the United Nations in New York, Hero’s Park in Manila (Philippines).

Brussels, the heart of Europe

Belgian and European friends of ATD Fourth World have worked for a long time to have their own commemorative stone, and response to the appeal of 17 October, housed in the capital city.

The City of Brussels now wishes to place this symbol of solidarity within its territory.

Moreover, to make this act significant for Belgium as well as for Europe, the City has proposed that the stone be laid on the walkway alongside the European Parliament, above the Brussels-Luxembourg station.

The European Parliament asked explicitly that the stone be laid in front of their buildings in Brussels, following on from those which can be found in front of the headquarters of other national and international institutions. The European Commission gave its backing to this initiative in 1995 and it is also supported by the authorities of the Brussels-Capital Region.

Defenders of human rights, this commemorative stone is yours

Throughout the world, the reproductions of the Trocadero commemorative stone have become symbolic places that ingrain the humanity and honour of the poorest people within the community. They have become a point of reference and a meeting place for defenders of human rights; for men, women and children who, day after day, battle against poverty in a multitude of ways.

This is why the ceremony to inaugurate the commemorative stone in Brussels on 29 May 2002, has been created with you, from you, from your commitment. People from all different backgrounds, have been writing contributions for this inauguration since the beginning of the year. They read the text that will be engraved on the commemorative stone (see below) and :

They said what touched them in the text.
They gave current examples that relate to the text.
They expressed what it meant to them that a commemorative stone bearing this text would be in front of the European Parliament.

It is around these contributions that the inauguration ceremony has been built.

Text engraved on the commemorative stone in honour of the victims of poverty, Brussels

The text will be engraved in the three national languages of Belgium (German, French, Dutch) and in English. The commemorative stone is located alongside the European Parliament, on the walkway that begins in front of the building at number 77 Rue Belliard.