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We will never overcome persistent poverty if we do not understand it. A basic principle of ATD Fourth World is to learn from those who experience poverty, then, together, share that understanding with others. We undertake qualitative research with families living in poverty themselves, based on the long-term relationships formed among members. We share insights and knowledge through our publications, presentations, and cooperation with other academics, activists, and organizations with the aim to raise awareness, challenge, and mobilize all of society.
ATD Fourth World publications are a tool we use to share the words and perspectives of people facing persistent poverty. These documents are not just in the United States, but cover our work throughout the world.
Popular Online Publications
POVERTY MYTHS
In the United States today, we are surrounded by poverty myths: misconceptions about poverty and people living in poverty that prevent real progress in the fight to end poverty. Whether it is that poor people don’t want to work, or that poor people use drugs – or even just the idea that poverty is a problem other people deal with and that I will never be poor – so many of our ideas about poverty fly in the face of countless studies and reports done on the subject.
But how can we overcome poverty if we don’t clearly understand what it is?
The poverty myths project uses census data and official definitions of poverty to expose the myths for the untruths they really are. The report focuses on four of the most commonly held myths about poverty and gives everyone the information they need to push back against them.
THE MULTIDIMENSIONAL ASPECTS OF POVERTY
Poverty goes much deeper than just income level. Poverty means having to swallow your pride when accessing a much-needed subsidy, knowing that your children are not receiving the same quality education as their peers, being trapped in a run-down community that lacks resources, being told to be grateful for the little bit you do have and being shamed if you are not. These are some of the essential aspects of poverty.
The Multidimensional Aspects of Poverty (MAP) research was the U.S. component of an international project conducted from 2016 to 2019 in six countries: Bangladesh, Bolivia, France, Tanzania, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Conceived as a partnership between ATD Fourth World and the University of Oxford, this participatory research sought to determine the various aspects of poverty as identified by people who live in poverty every day.
TAPORI
Tapori is a worldwide network of children from all backgrounds whose motto is: “We want all children to have the same opportunities.”
Children everywhere dream of a world where there’s no more poverty, where each child can live in peace and have friends. They don’t want to wait to be adults to take action.
Tapori shares this dream and supports them in their actions against poverty and exclusion.
If you are interested in finding a Tapori group near you, or starting your own group, contact the ATD Fourth World team in your country, or visit tapori.org to learn more.