On 30 January 2025, ATD’s London centre was packed with ninety people all eagerly awaiting the launch of The Empathy Fix: Why Poverty Persists and How to Change It.

In this book, Dr. Keetie Roelen breaks down the cognitive costs of paying “poverty premiums” and being caught in a “web of shame”. She also offers readers ways to contribute to big changes through small actions.

In one chapter, Keetie reflects on a speech given by ATD activist Pat Bailey during a conference at the Institute for Development Studies about social protection. During the launch, Keetie and Pat read this passage together.

The evening featured a dialogue between Keetie and Sarah Corbett, founder of the Craftivist Collective,  which promotes activism in the slow, quiet way that avoids burnout and can be powerfully effective.

Attendee Letitia Mason was inspired to write a blog post about this book. We’d also like to thank students from the French Lycee who volunteered to help make this event a success!