Day for eradication of poverty

October 17, 2013: Every year on October 17th, we mark The International Day for the Eradication of Poverty. Recognised by the United Nations in 1992, this day is celebrated throughout the world, but the first commemoration of the event took place in Paris in 1987 when 100,000 people gathered on the Human Rights and Liberties Plaza to honour victims of poverty, hunger, violence and fear. The day was inspired by the life and work of Father Joseph Wresinski, the founder of the Fourth World Movement.

The International Day for the Eradication of Poverty has been observed every year since 1993, when the United Nations General Assembly, by a resolution, designated this day to promote awareness of the need to eradicate poverty and destitution in all countries. Fighting poverty remains at the core of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and the post-2015 development agenda.

This year's official commemoration on 17 October at UN Headquarters will be an occasion to recognize people living in poverty as critical partners for fighting the development challenges we face. The commemoration at the UN is organized in partnership with the International Movement ATD Fourth World, the NGO Sub-committee for the Eradication of Poverty and the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs, supported by the Missions of France and Burkina Faso to the UN.