- ATD Fourth World

With his overflowing energy, Jean-Philippe Varet (31 years old), will captivate you when he speaks of the Fourth World Youth Group of Lille. Ten years ago he was asked to be one of the two coordinators and accepted with pride. Coming from a family with five children, Jean-Philippe is the most involved with ATD Fourth World. He recalls participating in Street Libraries and Street Library Festivals in Lille at the age of seventeen. “I’ve known the Movement since I was five. I’m part of the third generation of participation.” His family has been involved and has lead various actions for a long time, and Jean-Philippe continues this tradition. “My mom was involved with the People’s University. She went to the UN as a representative of Fourth World families. My dad, he worked alongside a Fourth World volunteer back when ATD Fourth World was established in Roubaix in the eighties. I have my place here too and I want to make young people see that just because we’re poor doesn’t mean we don’t have the right to exist!”
Once a month he gets together with about fifteen young people from Nord-Pas-de-Calais and the area around Lille. He strains and struggles to allow them access to culture. “When we get together the young people decide what it is they would like to do and I try to make their desires possible. A lot of them aren’t able to go on vacation, aren’t able to take a break. 2004 was the year of culture in Lille. With other people from the Movement we started a project “Culture for how many?” We were able to get free or reduced-price tickets so that the young people could also take advantage of the different events. I was their “ambassador”. We made different journeys in France. Six years ago we even traveled to Slovakia. It was an exchange organized with the young people of the Fourth World House in Brussels. About twelve of us went.”

Jean Philippe is also their spokesperson during events. “In 1998 I went to Lisbon for a gathering with European youth ministers. At Strasbourg, during a youth gathering of France, I bore witness of what young people do in Lille, how they see their neighborhood and how they see themselves in regard to society…” He tells with pride how the past two years he has helped several young people get their first-aid certificate.

Jean Philippe is involved with other associations. This allows him to broaden his contacts and to help the young people see what goes on in other neighborhoods and perhaps to help them find their educational path. Even if he admits that his financial situation is a bit precarious, he asserts, “It’s easier to help others than to help myself!”