The struggle against poverty is a movement of liberation
The abolition of poverty aims to free billions of human beings, in all parts of the world, who are enslaved and humiliated by destitution and permanent precariousness. By stimulating the desire for freedom and equality, by shrugging off the yoke of fatalism, by loosening the stranglehold of resignation, fear and despair, by relying on everyone’s life force, the struggle against poverty stimulates liberating energies for the common good, i.e. the establishment of a fairer society.
The strength of non-violent commitment against economic and political violence
As poverty and precariousness make the daily lives of a growing number of people more insecure, as the standardization brutally dictated by world trade backlashes into identity-based nationalistic and sectarian tensions, non-violent civic commitment to social justice initiates a process to ensure lasting human security.
Choosing civic non-violence challenges the legitimacy of mass violence exerted in the name of economic profitability and the superior interests of the Nation.
All these civic engagements permanently build on the non-violent bases underlying the democratic pact, i.e. respect of human dignity and use of dialogue and laws to regulate, in a constructive way, the conflicts inherent to the challenge of living together.
The struggle against poverty and democratic development go hand in hand
The ability of subjugated peoples to act as fully-fledged economic, social and civic actors depends on a recognition of the equal dignity and rights of all human beings. By striving to make themselves heard, to take part in the common debate, to weigh in on public policies, through protests as well as through proposals, the voiceless are a major contribution in the enforcement of public liberties and civil rights for all. Throughout the world, this civic commitment reminds us that food, housing, health, education and sustainable access to natural resources are vital needs and fundamental rights for all.
By raising the issue of the representation and participation of working classes, women and minorities, by pushing States and political parties to better respond to peoples’ needs and hopes, the civic assertiveness of the poorestboosts democratic progress in all countries.
Local and international solidarities working together to abolish poverty: a new perspective for global citizenship.
Through temporary workers’ organizations, male and female workers’ unions, small peasants and craftsmen’s cooperatives, micro credit mutual banks, landless peasant, youth or women’s movements, village or working-class neighborhood groups… Many of the actions led by poor communities, to have their rights recognized and to improve their living conditions, are the work of solidarity groups. By linking together personal commitment, grassroots practices and public policies, by shedding light on the richness of local initiatives, the associations’ community action constitutes an essential form of popular education in democratic citizenship and disseminates democratic practices.
For over 40 years, men and women activists at Frères des Hommes have worked with partner s organizations involved in the development of democratic citizenship in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean. Together they have set up common initiatives with other partners, both in France and in Europe. We have discovered how such long-term practices can bear witness to the incredible potential of civic commitments of solidarity to fight poverty and enlarge democratic space worldwide.
