1987,
the challenge of a man: 1987 - 2001
Observance of the World Day
to Overcome Extreme Poverty
For the first time in history, a Commemorative Stone was to bear witness to the suffering and struggles of the poorest and to affirm that extreme poverty is a violation of Human Rights. The stone, which has remained at the center of all subsequent commemorations of this day, cwas the idea of Father Joseph Wresinski, founder of the international ATD Fourth World Movement. Many replicas of the Commemorative Stone have been inaugurated in the world since.
1988,
resisting inhuman conditions:
Very poor families and those committed to them recognize their own aspirations and struggle in the text of the Commemorative Stone. They worked to ensure that the commemoration of October 17 was observed in each of their countries. They bore witness to their lives and sent messages of support and hope that it was possible to establish a new world free from extreme poverty. Members of the "Permanent Forum on Extreme Poverty in the World" (a network of solidarity reaching out to people and associations in more than one hundred countries) began celebrating the Day (Send e-mail for more information on the Permanent Forum on Extreme Poverty in the World).
1989, the voice of those who are silent:
For the first time, testimonies were collected to be published as the "Fourth World Chronicle". Those whom history had forgotten and those who had to resist extreme conditions every day were finally granted the right to speak out. They explained how they went about protecting Human Rights in derelict districts and in the muddy conditions of slums. October 17 was observed for the first time in the Ivory Coast, Central African Republic, Haiti, Guatemala, Thailand and Senegal.
1990, friendship between children:
On October 17, children of different countries sent thousands of drawings and signatures arranged in a giant fresco to develop a vast network of friendship intended to overcome the barriers of exclusion.With Tapori, the children's branch of the ATD Fourth World Movement, this Fresco travelled all around the world as a giant suitcase. Many other smaller suitcases were made by children, each one full of stories, games, laughter and messages... (Full information on the Tapori campaigns around October 17 are available on the Tapori Web site).
1991, the path of peace:
By refusing to bow to the law of the strongest, the most destitute demonstrated their ability to bring people together and see each other as belonging to a common humanity. Their testimonies were collected and made into the third "Fourth World Chronicles". Even in those countries where it was difficult to come together, very poor people managed to observe the commemoration, sometimes walking several hours to reach their destination. This was the year that Belgium, Germany, Benin, the Netherlands and Mauritius which joined the ranks of the countries marking the day.
1992, the call to the United Nations:
During the commemoration held at the Trocadero Plaza, former UN Secretary General Javier Perez de Cuellar launched an appeal asking the United Nations for official recognition of the Day. His appeal was broadcast throughout the world, thanks to Radio France International and national and local radios. This resulted in thousands of signatures to support the appeal. The UN General Assembly's resolution 1992/96 endorses this appeal and asks that 17 October be observed as the "International Day for the Eradication of Poverty".
1993, speaking out together throughout the world:
The "World Day to Overcome Extreme Poverty" was observed all over the world. It was a day to listen to and take seriously the efforts of all those resisting the unacceptable conditions engendered by extreme poverty. Mr. Fidel Ramos, the President of the Republic of the Philippines, inaugurated a replica of the Commemorative Stone in Rizal Park (Manila) and officially declares "October 17, National Day to Overcome Extreme Poverty".
1994, delegates of the Fourth World celebrate the Day at the United Nations in New York:
Mr. Boutros Boutros-Ghali, Secretary-General of the United Nations, celebrated the Day at UN Headquarters with 300 delegates from amongst the poorest families in the world and coming from 45 countries. "Along with the United Nations, We, the People of the Fourth World, proclaim that misery can be abolished as were slavery and apartheid.", these delegates told him. "We did not come to ask for charity, we came to offer our experience, to propose a new way of being with the poorest. We do have something that others lack and from which they must learn: our experience of exclusion and our refusal to accept injustice day after day."
1995, "Human beings shall enjoy freedom from fear and want":
Despite all the efforts made, this goal expressed in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights never has been attained. On the occasion of the fiftieth anniversary of the end of the Second World War, the people of the world were called upon to come together in places significant in the history of poor people, places often forgotten, but where human beings live in a state similar to that of war because of extreme poverty. With this anniversary comes the realization that no ideal will be achieved if the poorest are not taken as partners in its pursuit from the outset.
1996, partners to build a more just world, free from extreme poverty:
As the United Nations, in the wake of the World Summit for Social Development held in Copenhagen in 1995, launched the International Year for the Eradication of Poverty, the Secretary-General addressed the poor of the earth directly for the first time : "And to those in poverty I send this message. We are listening. We ask you to tell us how we can work to meet your aspirations; not for you, but with you." The very poor were thus at last being recognised as partners in the fight against poverty. But their ambition was greater : to be full partners in the construction of tomorrow's world so that in its very conception it is a world without exclusion and free from extreme poverty.
1997, Working Together Against Extreme Poverty - Building a Future for All:
During the United Nations Decade for the Eradication of Extreme Poverty, (1997-2006), the United Nations has decided to link their celebrations for October 17 to a specific theme in order to act on the commitments taken during recent conferences, summits, etc. In 1997, five years after the Rio summit, the theme was "Poverty, Environment and Development", and in 1998, the 50th anniversary of the Declaration of Human Rights, the theme will be "Poverty and Human Rights".
1998, Extreme and Human Rights
1999, Children's rights
2000, I reject , I work for peace
2001, To respect the dignity of others is to respect your own