October 17th is the World Day to Overcome Extreme Poverty, officially recognised by the United Nations in 1992 as the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty. The day was first celebrated in 1987 by thousands of participants at the Trocadero Human Rights Plaza in Paris, France.
The October 17th message is: " Wherever men and women are condemned to live in extreme poverty, human rights are violated. To come together to ensure that these rights be respected is our solemn duty. " (Joseph Wresinski).
The theme of the United Nations for the International day for poverty eradication 2007 is "People living in poverty as agents of change : 20th anniversary of the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty"
Since its creation, October 17th is a day for those living in extreme poverty to speak about their efforts and those of others in fighting extreme poverty and exclusion. The day invites all people to consider how they can contribute to the eradication of extreme poverty in partnership with those experiencing poverty and exclusion on a daily basis.
The purpose of this website is to highlight all those activities taking place around the world on October 17 which strengthen the fight against poverty in a way which meaningfully includes and respects people in poverty themselves.
In 2006 Kofi Annan, then Secretary-General of the United Nations, published a landmark report on the Observance of the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty to identify lessons learned and ways to promote the mobilization of all stakeholders in the fight against poverty.
You can contribute to this website by sending us messages, information, links and event information. You can post a testimony or message by filling the form here
Further Information on the International Day for Eradication of Poverty can be found from the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs
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