Martine Le Corre is from Normandy in the north west of France. Not yet 18 years old when she first encountered ATD, she has been a Fourth World Activist ever since. Meeting ATD founder Joseph Wresinski (photo above right) and other members of the ATD Volunteer Corps was a turning point in her life. They encouraged Martine to take part in their efforts to end poverty and exclusion. Wresinski shared with Martine his hope that people living in extreme poverty would become activists who stand up for others who are even worse off.

Martine has been involved in a number of international action-research projects with ATD Fourth World, notably around the Merging Knowledge process. From 2009-2012, Martine was part of the facilitating team for the research initiative “Extreme Poverty is Violence – Breaking the Silence – Searching for Peace.” She also helped facilitate ATD’s recent research and seminar on governance.

From those first encounters with Joseph Wresinski, Martine has maintained an active presence in her native region of Normandy. This has allowed her to build strong ties with people struggling daily to overcome poverty. A vital mainstay for Martine these last several years has been running the Fourth World People’s University in her city of Caen.

Martine was a member of ATD Fourth World’s International Leadership Team from 2017 to 2021.