Among the 21st century's biggest challenges are urban expansion and growing intra-urban inequalities. Many inhabitants, including millions of children, live in slums with precarious and temporary shelter where daily life includes a lack of basic services, segregation and inequality of access to resources and services. The objective of this course is to analyze the situation of children, adolescents and families living in poverty in urban areas. The course will be framed within the paradigms of Social Justice, Human Rights and the Convention on the Rights of the Child. In collaboration with the renowned international organization All Together in Dignity Fourth World (ATD 4th World), students will discuss and expand upon established theories and knowledge with information about what it means to live in poverty. Student learning will take place with ATD’s activist groups and will build upon established concepts and theories that emphasize giving voice and agency to families and children living in poverty. The voice of communities and activists will be examined by studying the case of New York City. The spring semester course will accent the short and long term effects of the pandemic on children living in poverty and their families. The course will combine various digital formats, including lectures, guest speakers, work in groups with activists and practitioners, student-led discussions and student presentations on themes related to “child-centered program” case studies. Students will emerge from the course with enhanced knowledge to apply in their careers going forward in the public, nonprofit or private sector. This course is part of the Development concentration and Governance & Rights concentration in the Julien J. Studley Graduate Programs in International Affairs.