Ton and Huguette Redegeld of the International Movement ATD Fourth World in Bangkok try to make a real difference for the ones among us who are extremely poor. They are the Movement's representatives in Thailand and in South-east Asia where many of the world's poor live. It was poor families from industrialized countries who asked the ATD Fourth World to be present in South East Asia. A volunteer team came to Thailand in 1979 and little by little relations of friendship and trust were developed with various people and organizations. Friends of the Movement introduced the volunteers to poor communities in Khlong Toey, Makassan, Saphan Phut and Bangkok Noi. The Foundation of the Friends of ATD in Thailand was created in 1992.

Humanity Through Art

Support of art and poetry in very poor communities is one of the main tasks of ATD Fourth World in Thailand. Every adult, young person and child has the right to develop their potential, their creativity and their imagination, says the ATD Fourth World philosophy. Through art, people are able to express their human dignity and to affirm their identities. This is a first step for them in becoming partners in the development of their country. Earlier this year, the Movement organized an art and poetry exhibition at the Baan Chao Praya Art Gallery in Bangkok, entitled "Blue Buffaloes in the Sky". It was sponsored by the UNESCO Principal Office for Asia and the Pacific in Bangkok. "What was striking were the paintings full of colour made by the children, who thanks to the presence of art in their lives over the years, develop a sense of harmony and expression. But they also express their longing for a human environment, adequate and sane habitat and a love for nature and animals", say Ton and Huguette, adding that this is amazing, given the conditions in which the families have to live: odd jobs and no financial security, no real housing, no drinking water or electricity.

The participation by young Thai people in the work taught them that the poor are no different from other people. They experience that it is possible to establish friendships with very poor children and their families; that they can learn something from poor people and that they too have a responsibility to share with them what they have acquired. This is important, Ton and Huguette point out.

ATD Fourth World was founded in 1957 by Father Joseph Wresinski, a man himself born in an extremely poor family. With families in a shanty-town near Paris (France), he created an organization open to people from different cultural, spiritual and social backgrounds, today present in some 100 countries. On October 17, 1987, Father Wresinski launched what was to be recognized five years later in 1992 by the UN General Assembly as the International Day of the Eradication of Poverty.

The Poor are no Different from the Rest of Us" say two volunteers working for the International Movement ATD Fourth World in Thailand

Working for the Less Fortunate

Huguette has been a full-time volunteer of ATD Fourth World since 1963 and Ton since 1975. They worked before for ATD Fourth World in France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Switzerland and USA. They are both members of the team responsible for the international public relations of ATD Fourth World. Huguette with special responsibility for the United Nations in New York and UNESCO and Ton for the European Union and ILO. Ton is in addition responsible for follow-up of the Movement's administrative and legal matters, such as recognition by a country etc. Huguette is Vice-President of the International Movement ATD Fourth World.

The link between Asia and the Movement was formed early on when full-time volunteers from Asia came to work in projects in Europe. In countries of the region, such as Thailand, the Philippines, Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam, teams of ATD Fourth World full-time volunteers created the network "Permanent Forum: Extreme Poverty in the World" to develop relationships with organizations and individuals committed to helping very poor groups. Doing something for others, the less fortunate, is rooted in many cultures. Everywhere, there are people who do not accept the sufferings caused by extreme poverty and who develop small but essential activities for the very poor. The relevance of the experiences and commitments of such people is insufficiently recognized; often, they lack support and encouragement.

Ton and Huguette are collaborating with ESCAP and the agencies of the United Nations system in the region. ATD Fourth World is an international NGO with general status with ECOSOC. The Asian region is home to over half of the world's poorest and it is a priority for the Movement to intensify collaborations with the United Nations system in the region. This is done in various ways: through the observance of the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty and promotion of other UN issues, such as the family, human rights, the Convention of the Rights of the Child and illiteracy.

The Movement also takes part in the follow-up of the Copenhagen World Summit on Social Development (1995), the Beijing Conference on Women (1995), the Cairo International Conference on Population and Development (1994), the Vienna Conference on Human Rights (1993) and the First UN Decade for the Eradication of Poverty.

The Friends of ATD in Thailand Foundation supports the volunteers' team and network with NGOs and individuals. It organizes public events, such as the celebration of the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty (17 October) which was held in 1997 both at the United Nations Conference Centre (UNCC) in collaboration with ESCAP and at the Thammasat University in collaboration with its Faculty of Social Administration.

The Movement issues a newsletter: "Letter to Friends around the world" and undertakes study visits, seminars and training sessions on subjects of mutual interests.

Opening of the "Blue Buffaloes in the Sky" exhibit at the Baan Chao Praya Art Gallery in Bangkok in February 1998. Number two from left is Huguette Redegeld with Ms. Sarinya Sophia of UNESCO (in the middle). Mr. Ton Redegeld is at the far right.

 

 

Contact address of ATD Fourth World in Thailand Regional Office for the Asia and the Pacific

84/1-86/1 Soi King Plu
Saint Louis 3, Sathorn Tai
Bangkok 10120, Thailand
Telpehone/Telefax: 662-287.25.24
E-mail: atd17bnk@asiaacess.net.th

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