Dignity Voices

Host Toni Wren talks with Maryann Broxton, Director of Policy and Advocacy for ATD USA, who moderated the September 30th webinar “Affordable for Who? Housing and Homelessness in the US.” Maryann takes us behind the statistics to the people living them, from the rising cost of rent and the history of racial discrimination in housing to the waiting lists that hundreds of thousands of people line up for, and the growing laws that criminalize homelessness.It’s a conversation about why the American Dream of a secure home feels out of reach for so many, what is being done about it, and what we can all do.Dignity Voices is a podcast of the International Committee for October 17, the World Day for Overcoming Poverty.

What does a safe home really mean? Toni Wren, member of International Committee for October 17, talks with Forum for Overcoming Poverty team members Kysly Joseph and Sebastien Gotti about the Forum's global consultation on "habiter la terre" or "safe homes for all". With contributions from Nour Al-Din Shehadeh (Palestine), Seynabou Mbengue (Senegal) and Jessica Gonzalez (Barcelona), they hear that a safe home is more than four walls: it is security, community, livelihood and peace. Without it, every other right is at risk. These voices shape the 2026 concept note now published on the UN website, ahead of October 17, the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty.

El Hadji Oumar GUEYE, Secrétaire Général de la Mairie de Grand Yoff et Jean Michel Kantoussan, Délégation Nationale-Sénégal d'ATD Quart Monde, s'entretiennent avec Justin Byamungu (RDC), Comité International du 17 octobre sur la situation de l'enregistrement des naissances au Sénégal et sur la semaine d'action à Dakar.*****El Hadji Oumar GUEYE, Secretary General of the Grand Yoff City Hall and Jean Michel Kantoussan, National Delegation-Senegal of ATD Fourth World, talk to Justin Byamungu (DRC), International Committee for October 17 about the situation of birth registration in Senegal and about the week of action in Dakar.

Kizer Maidou (République centrafricaine) et Bonfils Irakiza (Burkina Faso), délégués nationaux d'ATD Quart Monde, discutent avec Justin Byamungu (RDC - Comité International du 17 octobre) sur la situation de l'enregistrement des naissances dans leur pays, des barrières auxquelles sont confrontées les familles vivant en pauvreté, et proposent des pistes pour l'avenir.*****Kizer Maidou (Central African Republic) and Bonfils Irakiza (Burkina Faso), national delegates of ATD Fourth World, talk to Justin Byamungu (DRC - International Committee for October 17) about the situation of birth registration in their countries, the multiple barriers faced by the families living in poverty and suggest some ways forward.

Gaspar Albert Mbwambo, a volunteer of the ATD Fourth World, shares the struggle for birth certificates of Genivas Mkanilile and Sessilia Fidelisi Hassan's four children - Jesca (13), Noel (11) Regina (7) and Brighton, (5). This lovely family lives in the neighbourhood of Tegeta-Kunduchi, a bit outside the city of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Here's their story.

Season 3: I was born. I exist. Add me to the list.In this episode we listen to the voices of the families in the Philippines struggling to get birth certificates for their children. We hear from Elodie Petit who was in the ATD fourth World Philippines team (2021-2024) about the birth registration campaign, the challenges faced and the success stories. See also: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IZLHqFght5U

Yvette Bellanger, canadienne, est parmi les fondatrices du Carrefour ATD Quart Monde de Rouyn-Noranda, ville de la région de l’Abitibi-Témiscamingue, au Nord-Ouest du Québec. Après avoir découvert le Mouvement dans son pays, notamment en rassemblant des familles défavorisées de sa ville, le 17 de chaque mois, elle découvre, lors d’un séjour en France en 1990, la dalle à l’honneur des victimes de la misère, sur le Parvis du Trocadéro à Paris. Elle s’engage alors pour qu’une réplique de cette dalle soit posée dans sa ville -ce qui sera fait en 1993- et que le 17 octobre de chaque année, tous ceux et celles qui refusent la misère s’y rassemblent pour faire mémoire et renouveler leur engagement. L’entretien est conduit par Jean Tonglet, membre du Comité International 17 octobre

Jenn Yablonski, UNICEF’s Chief of Child Poverty and Social Protection talks to Aye Aye Win of the International Committee for October 17 about social protection, its critical role in addressing persistence of poverty and Unicef’s work in ending child poverty. 

Shahra Razavi, Director of the Social Protection Department at the International Labour Organisation (ILO) talks to Aye Aye Win, President of the International Committee for October 17th about the ILO's mandate and programme on decent work and social protection.

Guillaume Charvon, Chair and founder of  WALTER.   - Work and Learn Together - Electronics Recycling and  National director of ATD Fourth World - USA talks to Aye Aye Win, President of the International Committee for October 17 about unleashing the potential of the green economy for young adults left behind: the initiative of WALTER in Brooklyn, NYC.