Bernard Monnet was born in Versailles, near Paris, where he lived the poverty and exclusion with his family. He saw his parents and many other families struggle to live in dignity. In 1977, while living in Toulon, he discovered the ATD Fourth World Movement and he saw how it worked to defend the rights and dignity of his parents and all his community. Finally, he chose to become personally involved and committed to this movement as a Fourth World activist, to show solidarity with the poorest.
He has since worked continuously within the Movement, including several years as a permanent volunteer with ATD Fourth World in the Netherlands and in France, in Lille and Paris. In 1987, he worked with young people who helped organize the first World Day for Overcoming Extreme Poverty. On the evening of that first World Day, he realised that he could no longer live without carrying this light of hope and that he would answer the call to unite for human dignity all over the world.
“Every human being has a fundamental value that determines his human dignity”, says ATD Fourth World. And the poorest people, in their struggle, in their suffering, carry this desire for dignity and peace deep inside them. Taking part in 17 October is to be a witness of this suffering and of this daily fight, it is a cry that calls for the construction of a world of peace.”
Our teams
Marta Santos Pais, Portuguese, is a lawyer. She served as Special Representative of the Secretary General of the United Nations...
Ms. Anna Rurka is the president of the Committee “Action for Social Rights” of Council of Europe.
France Fournier is currently a member of the "Collectif pour un Quebec sans Pauvreté", and participates in its AVEC project.
Mr Savadago is a famous politican and diplomat, very commited to development, particulary for the pooorest.
Mr. Maximiliano Araujo Araujo is a writer, lawyer and notary in Guatemala He has been an ally of the ATD Fourth World Movement in...
Ms Carolina Escobar Sarti is a member of the National Committee for October 17 in Guatemala and has been supporting families and members of ATD Fourth World in her...