INVITATION TO ATTEND THE UN ERADICATION OF POVERTY DAY on October 17th at The Dylan Thomas Centre, 9.30- 12.30

The anti poverty team at the City and County of Swansea and Swansea Poverty Action Network have invited two community development organisation from South Africa, Connections and MUKA, to together mark this day.

The event will be a unique chance to exchange experiences, successes and top tips amongst community development workers in South Africa and Swansea.

We have invited everyone to join the rest of the world and do something, just by taking one minute to think about what poverty means to them. Via emails we are collecting people's "3 top tips" on how, together, we can all contribute to poverty eradication locally and globally.

From 10am to 1pm, at Place de la Monnaie, serveral groups organise a public event on the theme of the right to housing.
Contact : Wendy Braekel – De Schakel, 02/219.00.64.

From 2 till 6pm there will be an information stand in front of the European Parliament, rue Belliard 77, next to the commemorative stone. Also a "friendship bags" workshop by Tapori. A large public card "Defenders of human rights" will be created. Everyone isinvited to bring or send their photograph, and to write a few words about their commitment to overcoming poverty in their everyday lives, for the year ahead and to further the cause of human rights. All these will be put together in a patchwork titled : "Human rights is my business and I do something about it".
More info c/o : Maison Quart Monde, av. V. Jacobs, 12, 1040 Bruxelles, tél. 02/647.99.00, fax. 71/76.03.65 et J. Rasador, 071/77.66.20

17^th at 5pm a gathering on the Boulevard des Droits de l’Homme. Inauguration of a plaque to those in poverty and those who stand by them. Including: A speech by the Bourgmestre de la Ville, the unveiling and readings. Contribution by schoolchildren and refreshments.

Organised by ATD Fourth World, Collège des Bourgmestre et Echevins de la Ville, Commission de l’éducation permanente du Centre culturel régional du Centre, La Louvière Ville–Santé, la Direction générale des affaires culturelles de la Province du Hainaut, and local schools.

(In numerical order by French region)

Nice (06): A meeting from 6.30pm, offering information and discussion in the Parish hall “Bon Voyage”.

Pamiers (09): From 3.30pm a meeting with many groups organised by Emmaus, Les Restos du Cœur and  Secours Catholique.  Information and activities for children and teenagers.  At 8.30pm in the town hall, a public meeting will be held entitled “Our actions against poverty”.  Groups will present themselves followed by public discussions.

Carcassonne (11) :  School children take part in the Tapori campaign “Friendship is in the bag”.  College students will study texts by Victor Hugo.  Their work will then be shown at the town hall and from 5.30 to 7pm testimonies will be read by people who search for and work with the poorest citizens.  Organised in partnership with Secours Catholique, Secours Populaire, Atelier Solidarité Carcassonne and ATD Quart Monde.

Saint Jean d’Angely (17) : Once again the town hall has organised an open day for all the groups looking for supporters.  Followed by refreshments and a discussion about civic duties.  A magic show will finish the evening.

Bastia (20) :  The town hall organised a project with children in the “ludothèques” based on the Tapori campaign “Friendship is in the bag” and the citizens appeal.  A civic meeting for local groups will be held.

Dijon (21) : A meeting at 6pm, “Place Emile Zola”, supported by “ALERTE”

Guéret (23) : The Secours Catholique, Red cross, ATD Fourth World, Oasis and other groups in partnership with the town hall and CCAS organise a public meeting at the town hall from 6 till 7.30pm.  Testimonies will be given by some of the poorest citizens followed by balloons being released, music and circus acts.  More information, contact town hall on 05 55 51 47 00.

Besançon (25) : Every year, the cultural group CCPO organise a film festival, this year the theme is “Women”. In partnership with ATD, the film will link “Women” and extreme poverty.  Followed by discussion. 

Brest (29) :  100 schools and colleges in the region are working on the Tapori project “Friendship is in the bag” and the texts of Victor Hugo. 

1. Poverty information stands by several groups and student offices to raise awareness in universities.
2. Conference/debate at 6pm in the library “Dialogue”.  Around the book “The Crossing of Experience” with Herve Lefeeuvre, a participant in this type of research.  The book talks about the meeting between two worlds, normally side by side and thinking they understand each other.  The world of the professionals and the world of the poorest citizens.
3. 8.30pm at the “fac”, a conference/debate on the same subject.

For more information telephone 0298460034

Ales (30) :     Meeting of local groups (Vivre ensemble aux Promelles, La Ruche, Rencontre et Amitié, Sésames, Mosaïque, le Collectif d’Action contre le Chômage, Emmaüs..., local councillors and journalists) to mark the day and discuss the anti-exclusion law.  6pm meeting to restart a “water and energy” group.

Toulouse (31) :  Public event organised by many groups including ATD, Médecins du monde, la Ligue des Droits de l’Homme, UNICEF, enseignants pour la Paix…  From 10am till 6pm in the town centre, Place de la Dorade, in a tent.  Each group will share their thoughts on eradicating extreme poverty.  Public debates, films about the different areas of Toulouse, comedians and jugglers.  The group Médecins du Monde show a display about universal health cover, Enseignants pour la Paix show work by children, UNICEF have a display about the rights of children around the world.

Libourne (33) :  5.30pm citizens round table on the theme of the “Citizens appeal”.  Open to the public, in front of the town hall, organised by 11 groups (ATD, Agir Ici, CAT, ATTAC, LDH, Secours Populaire, Secours Catholique, Saint Vincent de Paul, Amnesty International…)  6.15pm, exhibition of work by children who participate in the street libraries.  Followed by refreshments.

Bordeaux (33) :  10 am to 5.30pm in the Grand Théâtre, Place St Projet, Station, Porte Dijeaux, top of the Rue Paul Doumer and other locations belonging to CUB, will be information stands run by different groups.  They will display the October 17 poster and some places will have live music.

At 5.30pm everyone will gather at the Square André Lhote (next to the marches d’accès à l’Esplanade Charles de Gaulle).  6 to 7pm commemoration to the victims of poverty and those who stand with them.  Groups include ACAT, ATD Quart Monde, CCFD, Conférence St Vincent de Pau, Emmaüs Insertion, L’Hermitage, MAI 33, Médecins du Monde, Réseau 32, Secours Catholique, Société de Bienfaisance israélite, SOS Détresse, Stop Misère, Restos du cœur, …

At the Union Nationale des Centres Communaux de l’Action Sociale (UNCCAS) at a conference between the 16 and 18th the World Day will be remembered.

Montpellier (34) : ATD and other groups organise an information stand and a public meeting will be held on the esplanade de la Comédie. For more information check  http://www.reseau.org/atd

Béziers (34) : The Beziers Fourth World committee organise a citizens evening at the maison de la vie associative. An exchange between groups will take place around the theme  “ What do people living in poverty tell us and teach us?”. Contact : Vincent Leclair, 4, rue Jean Rostand, 34500 Béziers, 04 67 09 03 97.

Fougères (35) : From 5.30pm, at the centre culturel Juliette Drouet, the town council organise a public event on the theme of international aid., including:

• Welcome by the school of music
• Opening by Madame Richer, deputy mayor
• Speech about international solidarity between groups by Somoto-Fougères, Fougères-Ouargaye, ASPAL.
• Presentation by ATD of their street library with video art and poetry
• Speech by a representative of Amnesty International
• Work with the Institut Paul Cézanne:  presented by young deaf people about exclusion.
• Hip Hop Dance 
• Speech by the mayor
• Text by Joseph Wresinski  and film extract from “I testify to you”
• Visit of stands  and d’amitié with the school of music.

St Gilles (35) : The group “St Gilles Solidarités” organise day-long activities with children in schools, leisure centres and libraries. At 6.30pm in the centre culturel de La Grange, there will be an exhibition of childrens work, videos, children’s speeches and a chain of friendship

Bazouges-la-Pérouse (35) : ATD run an information stand in the marché de Bazouges, and invite the public to visit the house “Arc-en-ciel” to talk about poverty and exclusion and send messages of solidaity by the interent. Contact : Arc-en-ciel, 6, rue de l’église, 35560 Bazouges, tel : 02 99 97 40 91

Rennes (35) : From 12pm an ATD bookstand in the Place de la Mairie,   In the afternoon, many groups have organised debates, videos and speeches by people living in poverty and those who support them. The public are invited to respond to the “Citizen’s appeal”. At 6pm a meeting will be held.  More info 02.99.38.75.73

Dole (39) : Local ATD group organise a public meeting at 3pm at the Médiathèque, and at 8.30pm at the MJC.

Roanne (42) : From 4 till 7pm a tent will be in front of the town hall with groups including le collectif d’associations, Alerte, Secours Catholique, Secours Populaire, Croix Rouge,  Emmaüs, La Ligue des Droits de l’Homme.  with the support of the local authorities in  Roanne, Riorge, Mably, and Villerest.

Saint Etienne (42) : 13th of October, château de St Victor, from 9am to 5pm. Secours Catholique, le Secours Populaire, la Fédération des Centre Sociaux, l’association culturelle “Le Tournesol”, and ATD welcome the public to help work on the Chateau, for children, the Tapori campaign “Friendship is in the bag”, and for families, consultation with family-help organisations. The afternoon has a picnic, football matches, pétanque, face painting, clowns and a release of balloons.                                                  

For 3 years a group of people living in poverty have worked with professional actors and writers on a play. At 8.30pm it will be performed in the salle Jeanne d’Arc. The play revolves around the 10 commandments and is written by the actors based on their lives in poverty.  More info contact le collectif du 17 octobre, 4 rue Bourgmeus, 42000 St Etienne, 04 77 32 71 44.

St Nazaire (44) : From 6.30pm, the group “All against exclusion”, will mount a display for contemplation at the “People’s house”.

Nantes (44) : At 7.30pm, everyone is welcome for a meal  at the “Maison des Habitants et des citoyens, Salle C, Place Lauriers”. It will be a chance to get to know each other and discuss the “Citizens appeal” and concrete proposals to fight poverty. 

Other cities, see in french , and also for Paris, Trocadéro

Berlin

An invitation is made to honour the ‘nameless victims of hunger, ignorance and violence’.

On October 17^th, a meeting is planed from 2pm to 4pm in a primary school near Traveplatz in Berlin-Friedrichshain, to discuss questions on the future for children and how families battle against the problems in their lives:

• How are parents able to teach their children when they themselves did not have a proper education ?
• How much help or friendship does a child or adult need so as not to remain alone in poverty and ignorance ?
• Who is responsible to help realise the possibilities that there are for training ?

On October 17^th , all will have a chance to speak on these issues – children, adults and teachers. The Vice Chairman of the Federal Organisation of Parents will also attend the meeting.

At 5pm, there will be a commemoration at the French cathedral in Gendarmenmarkt and with the Minister, to pay honour to the victims of poverty. There will also be a chance for the families to bear witness.

At 6:30pm a meeting is planed (to be confirmed) in the Reichstag (the German Parliament building) with newly appointed MP’s to speak about continuing the fight against poverty in Germany, and the possibility of a commemorative stone in the future to acknowledge the World Day against poverty.

This day is prepared by ATD Vierte Welt, Seelingtreff in Charlottenburg and a Social Club in Friedrichshain.

Website: www.atd-viertewelt.de

München

see german page

Dublin

People living in poverty, those engaged with them in the fight against poverty and social exclusion and friends from all walks of life will gather at 12.30pm at the Famine Memorial on Custom House Quay to commemorate International Day for the Elimination of Poverty. Everyone is welcome.

Belfast

The Northern Ireland Anti-Poverty Network is co-hosting two events on
October 17th.

1. Save the Children Fund and Northern Ireland Anti-Poverty Network will mark
the day at Crescent Arts Centre, University Road with a drama performed by
children from The Rainbow Factory visualising the impact of poverty and
debt.

2. Furthermore in the evening Northern Ireland Anti-Poverty Network in
partnership with Ciniversity and the Multi Cultural Resource Centre are
holding a special film evening at Catalyst Arts in 23 Donegall Street, the
evening starts at 7p.m.

The films being shown, is called " Answering Back " and it presents a series of
testimonies from people living in poverty throughout the world. This video
has eight 90 second shorts dealing with a variety of issues. In them people
talk of their hopes, their aspirations, their ideas, their dreams and their
experiences on issues such as homelessness, access to electricity and
unemployment.

Luxemburg City

A public event is planned on October 17th from 18h00 to 19h00 at the Place Claire-Fontaine. The theme of the gathering will be, "Guarantee the happy development of children in the family." Music and testimonies are planned (to be confirmed).

Heerlen

12^th from 2 to 6.30pm, ATD Fourth world celebrates 30 years in Heerlen at the Fourth world house (Kerkraderweg 9, Heerlen). Welcome party, workshops, children’s activities. 5.30 to 6.30pm, ceremony around a commemorative stone.

The World Day to Overcome Extreme Poverty will be marked on October 17th in
Warszawa, Kielce, Poznan, and Torún. For more information, please call
Anna Sleznik at 06 06 68 67 92

Madrid

In May 2002, a gathering of 80 people from six European nations took place in Madrid. The six delegations were comprised of people living in poverty as well as people who work alongside them. One of the goals of this gathering was that each person share his/her experiences in the fight against poverty and to draw concrete propositions to help build a Europe for everyone. The participants were able to exchange these propositions with public officials who were present for a working day with the group.

Saturday, October 19th in the afternoon (exact time to be given later) at the Plaza de Chamberi, this European gathering will be presented by means of a video, by a puzzle created during the gathering and by other means...

Activities for children based on the Tapori campaign "Friendship, it's in the bag" are also planned. 

Also of note, a delegation of four people from Madrid will travel to Hull, England, to participate in the commemoration there.

Basel

A stand presenting information about the World Day for Overcoming Extreme Poverty is planned for October 17 starting at 16h00 at the Claraplatz. From 17h30 to 18h30 there will be a commemoration with speeches by people living in extreme poverty and by sociologist Ueli Mäder. Music will be provided by the "Minnesänger" Manfred Hargens. The event is organized by many associations and institutions of the town of Basel: ATD Vierte Welt, Caritas Basel, Diakoniestellen der ERK und RKK, Kiebitz - Verein zur Förderung, Beruflicher Neuorientierung, Kontaktstelle für Arbeitslose Arbeitslosenkomitee, Offene Kirche Elisabethen, Pfarramt für Industrie und Wirtschaft, Sozialhilfe der Stadt Basel and Strassenmagazin Surprise.

Fribourg

19h00 Walk: Start in front of the "gare des marchandises" (old train station), Route des Arsenaux. The walk will go along the Avenue de la Gare, the Rue de Romont, the Rue de Lausanne and will stop in front of the town hall (Place de l'Hôtel de Ville). We will be joined by a large bird, which symbolizes a yearning for peace and liberty.

20h00 - 21h00 Place de l’Hôtel de Ville
A gathering will take place at 20h00 at the Place de l’Hôtel de Ville, with music and an information stand. Tapori children (who participate in a global network of friendship which brings together children of all backgrounds) will participate, along with Mr. Dominique De Buman, commune president of the town of Fribourg, as well as members of ATD Fourth World.

Following the commemoration there will be light refreshments.

Geneva

2002 is the year Switzerland enters into the UN, which will give a particular significance to the events which will take place in Geneva, in the Palais des Nations and also outside of this building (in order to facilitate the participation of the general public).

Just like at hundreds of other gatherings which will take place in Switzerland and throughout the world, testimonies of people and families living in extreme poverty will be at the heart of the event.

A commemoration in the salle des Pas Perdus at the United Nations between 5 and 6pm incudes a speech by Mr Sergei Ordzhonikidze, DG of the office of the UN in Geneva, as well as testimonies by children and adults living in poverty. A large bird will represent peace and freedom. Music will be played by Nachtigall. The gathering will continue at a public place in the vicinity of the Palais.

To get an entrance pass for access to the UN you must contact the Maison Joseph Wrésinski no later than October 14th: tel. 022 344 41 15, fax 022 344 47 77, e-mail atd.quartmonde-geneve@span.ch