Every five years, ATD Fourth World teams evaluate and plan their work for the coming years. We undertake this process in collaboration with the most marginalized people in order to ensure that our work is always anchored in their desire to build a more inclusive society.

Through this global exchange, members of ATD Fourth World of every background have defined our common ambitions for 2013–2017 with one central focus and three priorities.

Our Central Focus: Reaching out to those whose contribution is still missing

Acting all together in dignity means acting in a way that allows all people to be taken into account wherever decisions are made that affect humanity. This central focus is a compass for everything we undertake, be it on our own or with partners, and anywhere each of us may be involved.

Priority 1: Building Knowledge and Accessing Education – Every Mind Counts

Because people in situations of extreme poverty are prevented from expressing their own experience, they cannot contribute to projects that affect them. Wasting the intelligence of people living in poverty — men, women, young people, and children is a serious form of discrimination and a tremendous waste for society.

Priority 2: Shaping a people-centered and earth-friendly economic vision

Increasingly, today’s economic systems create a permanent state of crisis for people in extreme poverty, forcing them to struggle even harder to survive without regular jobs. Many people around the world, individually or in networks, are engaged in exploring alternative economic models whose aim is to foster the well-being of people and communities, especially the most disadvantaged ones.

Priority 3: Organizing for Human Rights and Peace

It is no longer possible to speak of peace without recognizing the violence of poverty and the contributions of the towards fighting violence and building peace. Ending extreme poverty depends on public organizing and civic engagement in society.