Archives of the International Movement ATD Fourth World in France and Burkina Faso from 1957 to 1992

The collection began with the creation of ATD Fourth World, in 1957, in the homeless camp of Noisy-le-Grand, near Paris. In addition to testimonies, studies and publications that bear traces of the emergence of the voices of the poorest in the public space, the collection contains archives of dialogues on poverty between countries and the latter’s invitation to ATD Fourth World to join them in their efforts against poverty. Initially between countries of the North, this dialogue spread across the world, starting with Africa, and particularly Burkina Faso in 1980. The collection also contains the archives of successive public events until 17 October 1987, when a commemorative stone was unveiled at the Human Rights Esplanade in Paris, in honour of the victims of poverty. The collection's end date is marked by the United Nations' 22 December 1992 recognition of 17 October as the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, which brings the poorest people into universal history (A/RES/47/196). This collection of universal value constitutes a source of knowledge that can help in imagining and building peaceful societies where no one is left behind.